IMEC meets Howest

Creating the circuit

2010-04-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

Testing Solar cells

2010-04-18T12:09:00.001-07:00

How to dismantle an Eee Pc

2010-04-18T11:59:00.001-07:00

One of the first things we did during the tests was checking weather it was possible to remove the Eee Pc from it's original casing.

This could be really useful if we want to create a new casing for the laptops.

We also dismantled the laptops battery, so we could place it next to the solar module.

After a long silence

2010-04-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hi,

First of all I have to excuse me for the long silence on this blog.

Since February, the project was really fired up. The testing started mid March and is almost finished by now. In the next posts I'll explain everything we did so far, what's up at this moment and what will come the next week before it's the big finale (the project is due mid May).

Concept explained

2010-02-21T13:34:00.001-08:00

The final computer will look a lot like a tablet pc.

When the computer is closed (FIG.1), the solar cells will be connected to the bottom of the computer (FIG.2).

There are 2 types of usage: - Compact
- Comfort

Compact (FIG.3): Tablet-mode --> Touchscreen, touch-keyboard, Solar cells on the bottom (battery usage) of loose from the computer to put in the sun

Comfort (Fig.4): Desktop-mode --> Touchscreen, bluetooth keyboard, solar cells loose in the sun or on the holder behind the screen (FIG.5)

In the table (FIG.6) you can see how the solar cells can be connected in the different modes.

FIG.1

FIG.2

FIG.3

FIG.4

FIG.5

FIG.6

first big presentation

2010-01-29T05:50:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I did the first big presentation concerning the final concept.

Though there's still a lot to do, I'm rather proud to show you this short animation and the presentation itself (this presentation is in dutch).

animation:

presentation:

Presentatie 28 januari

View more presentations from Howest.

teaser

2010-01-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a concept. I won't post it yet because I haven't communicated it to the rest of the team yet, but here's a teaser already :)

prototypes

2010-01-11T13:04:00.001-08:00

I know i promised pictures, but I'm working on some real cool prototypes to present the 28th. I'll have the pictures uploaded by then!

(p.s.: I'll also put a link with the first version of my thesis and the presentation itself, mind you this'll be in dutch)

Chromium os

2009-12-23T07:48:00.000-08:00

After a long silence (I've been studying mostly)I'm back with a small report on what's going on.

First of all I've been measuring the solar cells Joachim gave me. in full sun they are able to produce 0.6V (8A)!

Another thing I've been thinking about is the energy usage of the whole system. If we are looking at the entire system with remote desktop control, it's only fair to look at the energy the servers use as well. If I would go for remote desktop control, I might be making this whole thing to big and complicated.
That's why I went back to chromium for a minute.

I've downloaded the code, build the OS from Linux and tried it. I'm still working on some stuff, but I was thinking we might be able to create a computer with an entirely new OS, but also without all the hardware equipment.

Chromium OS is a rather static OS. It's purpose is not to store stuff on your computer and customize it to your needs. Basically it's just a really fast browser.
Keeping this in mind, we might think of using microcontrollers instead of processors and graphic cards,...
This will radically change the energy usage, and make it even smaller.

As far as the design is concerned, I came up with some nice idea's, but I'll be keeping those pictures with me till 2010 (consider it a gift :) )

merry Christmas and a happy new year,
jan

Long time not seen...

2009-11-21T03:31:00.000-08:00

Hi,
It's been a while since the last time I posted something on this blog, and that's mainly because I was busy...

After some crazy weeks, we decided to continue on creating the new generation computer...

Now, this new generation will be ruled by 'the internet'. This may sound vague, but I got this Google video from youtube that explains my vision exactly.

the big difference between google, windows and mac and this project is that I'll have my computer concept finished and running by may 2010. (That's because I won't be creating new Operating Systems).

Please check out this video on youtube, it explains everything I would need 5 posts for in about 4 minutes...

more new concepts

2009-11-02T09:56:00.001-08:00

worked out concepts (3)

2009-10-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

worked out concepts (2)

2009-10-26T11:43:00.001-07:00

worked out concepts

2009-10-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

Jan Leyssens @ Dutch Design Week - Eindhoven

2009-10-25T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hi,

in this next post you'll find back my presentation at the High Tech camping during the Dutch Design week in Eindhoven (Netherlands).

I'll have to excuse me for the bad sound. For the presentation (because you can't really see it), you can check out: :http://prezi.com/4fp79cb1rptd/

After ths presentation we had a live brainstorm session. This video won't be posted, but I'm going to make a summary with the best ideas in it. The method we used during this session is called the morphological analysis and can be found on http://www.innowiz.be/

This week I'll finally start posting some first worked out concepts as well, so keep checking, because now the project's really started.

market analysis - solar powered products

2009-10-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

Today I finished my market-analysis concerning solar powered products.

I ended up dividing the products in 5 different classes: solar gadgets, lights, garden, pannels and chargers.

I made moodboards so it is easier for you to check it out. Next week I'll probably put a new video online, In this video you'll be able to see me present the project on the High Tech Camping @ Eindhoven during the Dutch design Week. I'll also explain some idea's and show you the brainstorms so far.

idea sketch

2009-10-13T07:32:00.001-07:00

In this second post I'll put some idea sketches, these are loose thoughts I've had about solar power and everyday products, friday the 23st I'll be presenting the project in Eindhoven during the High Tech Camping. I'll finish my benchmark study (check out all the existing products with solar cells) later that week and after that I'll start the idea-generation.

In the meanwhile, have fun with these:

First post!

2009-10-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

More info about the solar cells can be found here:

http://www2.imec.be/imec_com/imec-presents-large-area-solar-cells-with-18_4_-conversion-efficiency_-featuring-cu-plated-contacts_.php

Feel free to post comments, ideas or anything else