Apple Gets Patent For Solar-Powered MacBook

Apple's MacBook laptops may soon get more environment-friendly after the tech giant was awarded a patent for a solar-powered device by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The USPTO patent for an “Electronic device display module” granted to Apple Jan. 28 indicated the solar panel may be built into the laptop's housing. "Display structures for the display and the rear plate may be mounted to opposing sides of a shelf portion of the peripheral housing member. The rear plate may be formed from electrochromic glass and may cover photovoltaic cells and touch sensors," it said. A report on PC World said the patent indicates a two-sided display for the lid of a portable computer like the MacBook.

The front of the lid facing the user would still have the display screen but the rear would have “electrochromic glass” or “smart" or “switchable" glass. PC World said the back panel would have embedded solar cells to collect power from light. "In the light-blocking state, the interior of the MacBook’s display would be hidden from the exterior view; the rear panel would appear opaque or translucent. In the light-passing state, the rear panel would appear clear and allow images or other light output from status light-emitting diodes or other light sources," it added. Also, the patent indicates that if the laptop is near a light source, "the light rays would pass through the electrochromic glass that forms the rear plate."

Solar cells would then take in light and convert it into electrical power at 10 mw. Apple proposed that the solar cells would be capable of producing from 100 milliwatts to 1 watt “or even more” in order to charge the laptop’s battery or power the computer while it is in use. "The rear smart glass could also be used to display Apple’s logo by incorporating an additional light emitting diode layer as well as backlighting," PC World said. — LBG, GMA News