DUBAI, 12 October 2004 — National pavilions were the best places to find true innovation at GITEX. It took time and patience though to deal with exhibitors who really had no clue how to demonstrate their products. It was a weakness of the show that there was no good way to learn about all the products and solutions brought out to GITEX by small vendors from around the world.
After considerable deliberation, our award for Coolest Tool introduced by a small entrepreneur at GITEX goes to Korea’s Soleitec. President and CEO of Soleitec, Man Geun Lee was an enthusiastic salesman throughout the five days of the show and his little solar chargers caught the interest of many GITEX visitors.
Soleitec’s small solar “Nucell” chargers weigh just 75 grams and measure 65 W x 90 L x 22 H (mm). The outer surfaces of the chargers come in attractive colors such as gold, silver, white, blue, green, red, etc. Their inner solar cells can be used to charge mobile handsets, PDAs, camcorders, digital cameras, CD players, MP3 players, radios, etc. Charging time depends on battery capacity and level of sunlight available. Generally mobile phones recharge in three hours or less. The device has a large, sturdy clip on the reverse so it can be attached to a backpack or jacket for example, to enable charging while on the move.
The Nucell accepts any type of connector made for other types of small, portable devices. The charger features voltage regulation circuits controlled by a microprocessor. In some Nucell models, an internally installed battery, that also functions as under/over voltage protection, can provide a source of instant power for the device being charged. The Nucell works in temperatures from 0 to 65 degrees C. and comes with a one-year warranty. Life expectancy of the product is at least five years.
The Nucell chargers will be available for sale to distributors in November at a cost of $34-36. The solar chargers will probably be popular with individuals who engage in outdoor recreation activities or businessmen and technicians who frequently find themselves in remote areas. The charger is also an excellent addition to any emergency preparedness kit.
While Lee was most interested in promoting Soleitec’s very small size portable solar chargers, the company also owns the patent to a new “Notebook PC” charger, that was just unveiled in June 2004 and was receiving its first international outing at GITEX. Functioning in a similar manner to the Nucell small solar chargers, the Notebook solar chargers are targeting a group of businessmen who need to stay in constant communication and who may have limited access to conventional electricity sources. The notebook charger is strong enough to charge notebook and communication devices for satellite connectivity.
