Solar Powered Uniforms? Lightening the Military Load

Tuesday 02nd of August 2011 01:10:27 AM

If anyone knows uniforms it’s the military. Though all types of labourers wear uniforms as promotional clothing, the military personnel wear them for unity, safety and practical comfort. But they don’t just wear uniforms. For example, the UK soldiers in Afghanistan carry as much as 150 pounds of gear that includes battery packs, weaponry and supplies.

The battery packs account for as much as 15 pounds of the total gear weight and that’s where the solar powered kit could be so beneficial. There are a number of UK scientists working to develop solar powered uniforms so the men and women can lighten their load in the field of duty. The Ministry of Defense is funding the project, but multiple universities are working on the project. The concept is simple – photovoltaic cells will convert the sun’s energy into energy. A second set of thermoelectric units will be able to convert temperature changes into power also.

The use of solar powered uniforms will lighten the amount of weight the soldiers have to carry and they will also enable them to remain in the field for longer periods of time. An added benefit is the fact that the solar and thermoelectric packs will also make it tougher for the enemy to locate the soldiers with infrared night vision equipment.

There is a safety factor built into many uniforms whether or not it’s the military. For example, manufacturing line workers wearing promotional clothing designed to prevent the possibility of clothing being caught in machinery can actually prevent injuries. In the case of the military, the uniforms will also make longer far reaching campaigns possible instead of soldiers having to return to base camps through enemy territory.

The first prototype of the solar and thermoelectric power unit should be available within the next 2 years.