Well, this is another mobile invention that - while undoubtedly useful - is unlikely to be hitting the shops without some serious redesigning.
The Solar Powered Necktie has been designed by Iowa State University as a way of charging mobile devices while on the move. It is made from a special photovoltaic fabric which is apparently a bit too thick to properly tie in a knot - don’t worry, I’m sure they will iron that out (arf, arf).
As demonstrated by the glamorous model in the photo, the tie has a little pocket for holding your mobile while it is being charged. I have to say that if I were on the Dragon’s Den panel at this point I would be worried about heavier phones clunking fellow tube passengers in the face if I turned around a bit too quickly.
Still, nice to see scientists are still hard at work on the mobile juice problem. I can’t help thinking it would just be easier to stick the photocells on the actual phone, though.
