Sustainable & Smart Solar Power-Controlled Apparel
EPA Grant Number: SU836796Title: Sustainable & Smart Solar Power-Controlled Apparel
Investigators: Xiang, Chunhui
Current Investigators: Xiang, Chunhui , Hwang, Chanmi , Mashud Alum, A K M , Kaalberg, Kathryn , Roth, Shannon , Steffensmeier, Nicholaus , Loo, Samuel Vande
Institution: Iowa State University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 (Extended to September 30, 2018)
Project Amount: $15,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2016) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality
Description:
Research, develop and test a prototype solar-powered garment will undergo physical testing for tensile strength and energy harvesting capabilities and care. Focuses on the interface of textiles, apparel, humans, and flexible solar panels to help decrease the reliance on energy from non-renewable sources.
Objective:
The objectives of the proposed project are to: (a) test flexible solar cells/panels and conductive threads, (b) test potential placements of flexible solar products on articulated body forms to identify best locations for optimal energy harvesting, and (c) develop and test a garment prototype that integrates flexible solar products for optimal solar power control and energy harvesting.
Approach:
The resulting solar‐powered garment will undergo physical testing for tensile strength and energy harvesting capabilities and care. We will focus on the interface of textiles, apparel, humans, and flexible solar panels testing an alternate energy system for apparel to help decrease the reliance on energy from non‐renewable sources.
Expected Results:
The outputs will include: characterization of the existing solar products (flexible film solar cells/panels and conductive threads) to optimize the function of solar power‐controlled clothes; evaluation of the energy harvesting capabilities of flexible solar cells/panels on articulated body forms to identify best locations for optimal energy harvesting; development of a garment prototype with optimal solar power control and energy harvesting capabilities; a manuscript; and instructional materials.