Last year marked the30th Anniversaryof the enduring classicBack to the Future, with a number of companies capitalizing on the even. A number of products inspired by its sequelBack to the Future Part 2where introduced to the marketplace. Nike unveiled plans for self-lacing sneakers, while Pepsi Cola sold Pepsi Perfect and Lexus even showed-off a working hoverboard. Today, we have word that another product fromBack to the Future Part 2has become a reality, with a University of Central Florida scientist developing solar-powered clothing.
Tech Timesreports that University of Central Florida scientistJayan Thomasdeveloped new filaments that could store solar energy while being sewn into various textiles. The scientist published a study in the journal Nature Communications, where he revealed that any piece of clothing could use solar-powered batteries that will never need to be plugged in. Here’s what he had to say, confirming that directorRobert Zemeckis' 1989hit sequelserved as the inspiration for his
“That movie was the motivation. If you can develop self-charging clothes or textiles, you can realize those cinematic fantasies – that’s the cool thing.”
Nike’sself-lacing sneakersseen inBack to the Future Part 2providedJayan Thomasthe inspiration for his creation. He revealed in his study that nanotech-powered clothing will provide much-needed assistance to soldiers and military personnel who have to carry bulky batteries. These clothes will also be “highly convenient” for anyone who carries a multitude of personal electronic devices, and he can also see it being applied to electronic cars. These filaments can be used to charge yourelectronic deviceslike cell phones.
The filaments are made from copper ribbons that featured “energy-storing layers on one side and solar cells on the other.” The copper ribbons were then woven into a square of yarn as proof of concept, and can be implemented into jackets and other articles of clothing, which can be used to power a multitude of electronic devices. This work was actually built upon another development he was working on.
Jayan Thomasreceived an R&D 100 award earlier this year, a prestigious award handed out to top inventors, for the development of a cable that can not only transmit energy, but store it like a battery. He decided to combine the solar cells he was already developing with an energy-storing device to come up with this filament, inspired byBack to the Future Part II. The sequel, which starredMichael J. FoxasMarty McFly, also featured self-drying clothing that adjusted in size, but that hasn’t become a reality quite yet.
