Very Exclusive Gadgets & Gizmos

This teeny 9mm Solar Sensor is probably the smallest self-powered computer in the world, and it’s totally amazing. The thing contains a full ARM processor, solar cells and a tiny battery, and consumes less power in sleep mode than people generate when they blink their eyes.

It’s been four years in the making but a prototype of the Solar Impulse, the HB-SIA, completed its first test run in Zurich in December. A fascinating venture to promote solar energy as a means of alternative energy-based transpiration, the Chairman of Sun Impulse and co-founder of this project Bertrand Piccard (yes, that’s really his name) hopes the craft will circle the globe in 20 days by the year 2012. To do so, it will require approximately 12000 solar cells that will need to be attached to the plane’s wings and fuselage, allowing it to store at least 14 hours of energy.

Pave Guard – a new bridge deck heating system that uses solar power to keep bridges ice free – will be installed on two bridges in Missouri this summer. Patterned after the idea of radiant floor heating, this new technology will eliminate the need for corrosive pavement clearing materials during times of ice and snow. The system will automatically activate when the temperature reaches 38°F, sending heated water flowing through its tubing and preventing the concrete from freezing.

The Suntrica SolarStrap is an unobtrusive auxiliary solar recharger. It looks like a simple luggage identification strap but it’s actually a solar panel and battery in an-easy-to-hang design. Attach it to your bag or any strap that sees the sun and do whatever you were doing before. The battery provides 5.5V at 800mAh which is plenty to recharge most mobile phones. If there isn’t enough sun, you can also recharge it using an AC adapter or USB. The strap is weather resistant and weighs a measly 60g (2 oz). US$40

Solar power is pretty big, and as time progresses, research has pushed the technology even further forward with a greater degree of efficiency for its solar panels. After all, using renewable energy sources that are environmentally friendly as well is the way to go considering the non-stop explosive global population that might just stress the planet too much that it can no longer sustain itself due to rapid industrialization across the globe.

Buying rechargable batteries is always far better than purchasing the disposable ones. However, it’s still not a perfect method. It helps so that you’re throwing away less batteries, but at the same time you’re still plugging something into the wall and using your electricity to charge the batteries. Instead of plugging a battery charger into the wall, this ReNEW would allow for your rechargable batteries to become even more eco-friendly.

Every once in a while, a “tech-first” is reached, and i.Tech has recently announced that their SolarVoice 908 is the first solar-powered Bluetooth headset.

I had a chance to try it out, and it paired effortlessly with my cellular phone. Oddly enough, it charged quite quickly. I can’t help but wonder if it was already charged by facing the sun.

As it is, it has five hours worth of talk time, and standby time of 140 hours. That is without sunlight, it can supposedly have infinite standby time provided it has some sun. A flashing green light indicates that it is solar charging.

The NovoThink Surge is an all-in-one case, extra battery and solar charger for your iPhone 3G/ or iPod Touch. How is this possible? It’s made possible by technology! Yes, the Surge is a clip-on case similar to the Mophie Juice Pack that provides extra power via its internal battery as well as being able to recharge via the solar cells on it’s hardened exterior. It has a pass-through for the 30-pin connector, as well as the camera of course, so you can use it normally without having to remove it from the case.

Vintage is always something that in some shape or form it manages to be in style. It’s not always the same type vintage things or the same era, but vintage influence is always there. Well for those that enjoy vintage bags, these durable bags will appeal to your gadget loving side. These are fully authentic German World War II bags. They’ve survived this long, so I imagine they can handle your day to day life. Plus they manage to keep your gadgets charged and control your iPod.

Like rainbows? Our Solar Powered Rainbow Maker will bring good Chi into your home while it fills your room with a swirl of dazzling rainbows! Stick the Rainbow Maker to any window that receives direct sunlight. The crystal will rotate and create beautiful rainbows that move around the room. Genuine Swarovski crystal rotates and refracts sunlight to create rainbows.