Apple Awarded Patent For Solar-Powered Macbook

A recent development in the law is Apple receiving a patent for a solar-powered MacBook. According the patent application submitted by the company, the MacBook will utilize what is known as a photovoltaic unit. The unit is designed to generate energy to power the device.

Throughout the past three decades, Apple frequently has been at the forefront of some of the most important technological innovations. If the company actually moves forward with the design included in the patent, the company will be on the forefront of devices that rely exclusively on alternative energy resources for their functionality.

Design of Solar-Powered MacBook

According to the information submitted to obtain the patent, the device will be a type of two-sided laptop device. Imbedded within the device will be the photovoltaic unit, designed to provide power for the device. Although this proposed device is not the first dual display device, it is the first one to incorporate a solar power energy source.

Functionality of the Proposed MacBook
At the heart of the proposed new concept MacBook is the fact that it will run exclusively on solar power. The design currently calls for the photovoltaic cells to be located under the rear plate of the MacBook device. The cell is activated by any type of external light source. In short, according to the recently approved patent application, a MacBook user will never have to worry about a batter charge every again.

Electrochromic Glass
One of the unique elements of the proposed device is the electrochromic glass. Electrochromic glass which is also known as electrically switchable glass. In many ways, this is at the heart of the proposed device’s design. This type of glass is able to receive control signals. These can include voltage control signals. According to the patent application prepared and submitted by Apple, the control signals can be used to place electrochromic glass in the proposed MacBook in a transparent or light-passing state as well as in a translucent or light blocking status.

Conversion of Light to Electrical Power
The solar cells included in the proposed MacBook device take in light that is passed through the glass that was discussed a moment ago. According to the patent application and companion information, the solar cells can convert light into electrical power at a rate of approximately 10 milliwatts. The device is likely to be able to convert light into electricity at a higher rate in some circumstances.

Apple has proposed, through the patent process, that the solar cells would have the ability to produce somewhere between 100 milliwatts upwards to 1 watt as a means to charge the device’s battery or, in the alternative, to power the device while the instrument is being used.

Production Prospects
Patent law requires a company like Apple to be proactive when it comes to its research and development. For this reason, Apple filed the application for the patent regarding the solar-powered MacBook. The reality is that despite filing for the application, and being granted a patent, the possibility exists that Apple may never actually produce this particular device.

Time and time again, companies obtain patents for technologies that they never end up actually using. If a company fails to protect their legal interest in this type of intellectual property, a competitor is able to utilize the technology according to the provisions of patent law in the United States (as well as in other nations around the world).

In the final analysis, merely because Apple has decided to engage the protections of patent law in regard to its solar-powered MacBook concept does not mean that the device will be in production any time soon.

Ryan Ayers is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to education and technology. In this article, he discusses the new patent issued by Apple regarding its solar powered MacBook concept. He aims to encourage education through online law schools

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