Weaving solar panels and nanofibers into our lives

Solar panels generate some of the cleanest energy available. Drawing on the sun, they don't require drilling, filtering or factories. Even accounting for the fact that solar panels are made with silicon and eventually break down, the amount of non-polluting energy they produce throughout their lifetime outweighs the amount of waste they leave at the end of their lifetime. Many people use them to kiss electricity bills goodbye. Yet solar panels often share the same drawback: They can't follow you wherever you go.

Typically solar panels are fixed to rooftops and towers, which work great for powering homes and offices, but can leave you at a loss during business trips and other outings. Panels designed for flexibility, however, can be integrated into blankets, bicycles and clothing. The Solarjo Power Purse can ride on your shoulder while sun-driven ties can be worn around your neck. You can even head to the beach with a photovoltaic bikini and parasol, if you don't mind getting sand and wires in awkward places. These panels typically generate enough electricity to charge a cell phone or iPod within a few hours.

Non-traditional designs can also save lives. A recent study from Michigan State University found that mayflies and other aquatic insects often mistake the surfaces of solar panels for water because both materials reflect polarized light. Drawn to the panels, insects lay their eggs in an ecological trap and make themselves easy prey. Researchers found that simply adding white markings to the solar cells can help insects distinguish panels from water by breaking up the reflection of light. Mayflies may not be furry megafauna, like the tigers and bears adored by conservationists, but they play an important role. One study published by the American Institute of Biological Sciences estimated that wild insects in the United States provide about 57 billion dollars annually through pest control, pollination and wildlife nutrition. Mayflies, for example, are a favorite prey of many species of birds. Dutch designer OOOMS made their own ecological trap using solar technology to help birds find a late night snack.

If the difficulties of turning solar cells into threads can't be overcome, nanotechnology might provide a solution. At the University of California, Berkeley, engineers are working on materials that turn movement into energy. Flexible and relatively inexpensive, each nanofiber is nearly 100 times thinner than a strand of human hair. Its developers theorize that the more active you are, from dancing to hiking, the more energy you will be able to harvest, and a stroll down the street could power your cell phone. In the future, you might not be able to blame a broken connection on a dead battery.

For now you're more likely to find solar panels on buildings than on jacket sleeves. As engineers develop thinner wires and make advances in digital textile printing, however, the fashion industry should take note. Mainstream styles and chic designs might encourage more people to back these solar-powered products, and who doesn't want clean energy quite literally in their pocket?