Defence personnel in remote areas or at the borders and forest guards will now no longer have to worry about charging their phones. In fact, they can even beat the heat.
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday launched a jacket having mobile phone charging facilities, illuminated identification code and pocket solar fan, completely powered by solar energy.
“Solar jacket is a mobile energy source specially needed for the defence people to ensure safety and security of the country, forest dwellers as well as people living in the far flung areas where mobile network is not available or poorly functioned,” said the Minister, who displayed the jacket by wearing it. The jacket has been developed by the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur in West Bengal.
Solar power expert Santi Pada Gon Chaudhuri from the IIEST, who developed the technology, said that 20 jackets have already been distributed to defence personnel and more will be provided soon.
He said that the jacket has proper insulating materials for use in colder regions. Each jacket costs Rs 4,000 without the GPS option. The scientist explained that the jacket has an array of solar panels to collect solar power for charging the gadgets such as mobile phones if one find himself/herself in a power bind.
Chaudhary further explained that the jacket is fitted with water resistant, flexible solar panels that snap on and off easily. A cable runs to battery pack in one of the front pockets, which in turn has USB port, so that one can charge the device.