While the idea of solar LCD panels are not new, Motorola has recently patented their version that uses either cholesteric liquid crystal or polymer-disbursed liquid crystal in the display which enables up to 75% of available light to reach the solar cells below, generating enough power to charge the battery of a mobile device without resorting to an AC adapter when the sun goes down. This patent also includes word on how solar cells can be added to OLED and touchscreen displays as well. This is a neat idea since it would deal with the current problem of discarding old cellphone batteries into landfills, while doing away with the need to lug around a phone charger on your travels.
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