Solar Powered Laptop - Gearhart Law, LLC

written by Elizabeth Gearhart, Ph.D., patent agent at Gearhart Law
www.gearhartstg.wpenginepowered.com

Apple has finally done it! At least we hope this technology works out. They’ve invented a solar-powered MacBook. They’ve even been issued a patent for it:

US Patent # 8,638,549, “Electronic device display module.”

You can view the patent on the USPTO website:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8638549.PN.&OS=PN/8638549&RS=PN/8638549

Click on ‘images’ and then ‘full pages’ to see a full pdf of the patent.

In a nutshell, the patent describes an electrochromic glass plate for the lid that covers the display screen. Between the two would be photovoltaic cells to collect light and convert it to energy. The patent states that the energy collected from light may be used to either power the device directly or to power the device battery.

Some bloggers have pointed out that a glass laptop is a bit risky. That may be, but I think this is a great advance in technology. Imagine our troops in Afghanistan using these, or people in countries that aren’t advanced enough to have ready access to electricity. I say Bravo to Apple and I can hardly wait to try one!

About the Author

Richard Gearhart, Esq. is the founder of Gearhart Law and the host of a weekly radio show for entrepreneurs called “Passage to Profit”. He has built a firm with an international presence that helps entrepreneurs from around the world with their patent, trademark and copyright needs. Richard commands a breadth of experience that comes from nearly 30 years of practice in the writing and prosecution of hundreds of patents, and in all aspects of Intellectual Property law. In 2022, Richard was recognized by ROI New Jersey as a 2022 ROI Influencer in the Law List category for being one of the best of the best in New Jersey for intellectual property law. Gearhart Law emerged from Richard’s passion for entrepreneurship and startups and his belief that entrepreneurship grows the economy and creates jobs. When we started Gearhart Law, our goal was to help and support the new business ventures of 500 entrepreneurs and inventors. After 12 years, the firm has far surpassed this goal; today, we look forward to helping even more inventors and entrepreneurs get off to a great start and reach their own goals.