Design of Illuminating Textile Curtain using Solar Energy

ABSTRACT How can we make things better for people and the environment through the textile products we design? By thinking about the environment when we design, choose and use technology, we can play an important part in building a better world for the future. If we are going to live in a sustainable way, the technology that we use has to be sustainable. This paper provides an insight into how the design of textile products can provide for a more sustainable future. It describes the design of an illuminating textile curtain using flexible photovoltaic cells to collect and store solar energy. In the long term, this design may help towards ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and in the future. The raw materials and process, the plant dye, the electronic devices and the dimensions of solar energy for this application are analysed from an environmental perspective. The solar illuminating curtain can facilitate our daily life by providing increased light and visibility, and also act as an example of the use of renewable energy within textiles.

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