Korea-based LCD panel maker LG Display (LGD) has unveiled an e-book reader that is equipped with in-house developed thin-film solar cell.
The thin-film solar cell featured in the e-book device measures 10cm in width and length, and it was developed to fit the 6-inch display panel for the e-book readers currently mass produced by LG Display. The solar cell measures 0.7mm in thickness and weighs 20 grams, which is thinner than a credit card and about the same weight of a fountain pen, the company said.
The thin-film solar cell is produced by placing electrodes onto a glass or plastic substrate. Contrary to widely adopted crystalline solar cells that employ silicon wafers, the thin-film solar cell is generally light-weight and easily adjustable in size and form for applications such as e-book readers or mobile phones.
The current energy conversion efficiency rate of this product is approximately 9.6%, LGD said. Exposure to sunlight for about four to five hours would extend the running time of the e-book reader's battery by a day without the need for additional charging. This would allow longer outdoor use of the device.
LG Display previously had announced plans to nurture its thin-film solar cell business as a future growth driver. The company aims to raise the energy conversion efficiency rate to 12% by 2010, and eventually achieve efficiency rate of 14% in 2012 to prepare for commercialization.
During IMID (International Meeting on Information Display) 2009, LG Display will showcase the prototype of the solar e-book reader,in Kintex, Gyenggi, Korea.
LG Display solar-powered e-book reader
Photo: Company