Update 3: Going Full Circle

Image credit: AliExpress.com

Good news, I think that I've solved the small panel issue. I found a pack of circular solar panels that are about the size of an average watch face. These may not be the most powerful or efficient panels BUT for the sake of this project and efficient prototyping/production, this makes the most sense. My upcoming plans involve finding a proper USB port that I can buy in bulk that functions well enough to well, function, but it doesn't need to be super duper fancy or whatever. originally, I was planning on making the two products side by side, but I kind of realized that was a stupid idea for one person to do, so I'm going to do them separately.

Update 2: Small Pain-els

Credit: TreeHugger.com

Continuing my hunt for the best solar panel options has made me think of an issue. I've been assuming this whole time it would be easy to cut or reduce the size of the panels, but I am starting to realize no, cutting them would be a bad idea. I can definitely work around this, although it would make the bracelet slightly less practical might be a necessity, but I think it will still work. The solar panel pictured above is way smaller than I need, but if I got some for free that would make this a lot easier lol. I'm hoping to have sketches of both products done by the end of break and a prototype done so I can start moving.

Update 1: Materials and Stuff

Current Issue: Material Cost
Details: The solar panels might be jank if I buy them cheap but it's hard to test that since I kind of have to buy. One issue that stems from the cost issue is the bracelet. I originally planned to use flexible solar panels, but those turned out to be very, very expensive. This means that I have to integrate normal solar panels into a circular bracelet. I currently have some sketches for this, and it could work, but I need to see how small the panels can get without being expensive. Once I figure out this design issue, I'll be looking into the physics of the backpack straps next.




Flexible solar panel - Source: Amazon.com