For a long time, the contents of a woman’s handbag have remained a mystery to outsiders, and even to its owner. However, a new design has illuminated this enigmatic space.
A solar-powered handbag designed by a student from Brunel University promises to help its owner easily locate keys and other items at the bottom of the bag.
The bag, named Sun Trap, features an external solar panel that collects energy from sunlight. This energy is then transferred to a battery inside, which lights up a long strip at the bottom of the bag. This strip is made from a luminescent electronic material similar to that used in mobile phones and will glow when the bag’s zipper is pulled open. The light will turn off when the zipper is closed or automatically shut off after 15 seconds if the bag is accidentally left open.
A second function of the portable battery is to act as a fast charger for mobile phones and other wireless devices.
“I came up with the idea for the Sun Trap handbag after seeing many of my friends frantically searching through their bags for house keys, often in the dark. I also noticed that people often use their mobile phones as flashlights to look inside their bags, so I had the idea to illuminate the handbag,” Kilfidder said.
Kilfidder’s design won an award at Brunel University in a competition aimed at finding the next generation of entrepreneurs. The Brunel Enterprise Centre is assisting her in obtaining a patent and bringing the product to market quickly.
M.T. (according to BBC)
