Assignment 4

Design Each Task for Maximum Fruitfulness and Guidance:

• Task 1: Research Solar Charging Technologies

  • Purpose: This task is designed to gather detailed information about available solar technologies, focusing on high-efficiency, compact solutions.

  • Guidance: Look for the latest solar cell materials like monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells. Focus on studies comparing energy output relative to surface area.

• Task 2: Identify Suitable Materials and Designs

  • Purpose: Choose materials that are both durable and compatible with solar panel integration without compromising the aesthetics or size of the case.

  • Guidance: Compare lightweight, flexible materials that allow sufficient sunlight penetration and energy conversion, such as tempered glass overlays or transparent polycarbonate.

• Task 3: Prototype and Test

  • Purpose: Create a working prototype to evaluate the practicality and performance of the solar panel integration.

  • Guidance: Focus on energy output under different lighting conditions and assess the durability of the case. Testing different placement positions of the solar panel for optimal sunlight exposure will also be crucial.

Use Final Solution Attributes to Guide Earlier Decisions:

• Attribute 1: Compact and Aesthetic Design

  • Earlier decision: Select thin, efficient solar cells that do not add bulk to the iPhone case.

  • Attribute 2: Efficient Charging Capability

  • Earlier decision: Ensure the solar panel placement maximizes exposure to sunlight and investigate advanced solar cells with high energy-to-area ratios.

• Attribute 3: Durability and Protection

  • Earlier decision: Prioritize sturdy yet flexible materials that can protect the phone while not affecting the performance of the solar panel.

Define Design Goals and Specifications:

• Design Goal 1: Achieve a charging capability of at least 20% battery life over one hour of exposure to sunlight.

  • Specification: Use a solar panel with a minimum power output of 5 watts, and ensure that the solar cells cover a sufficient surface area to capture sunlight effectively.

• Design Goal 2: Maintain a sleek, portable, and aesthetically pleasing design.

  • Specification: The case shall not exceed to big of a thickness and shall weigh less to much ensuring portability and convenience.

• Design Goal 3: Ensure the case provides the same protection level as standard phone cases.

  • Specification: The case material shall be impact-resistant 

Eliminate Paths That Don’t Meet Design Goals:

• Path 1: Using large, bulky solar panels.

  • This approach would violate the sleek and aesthetic design goal, making the case too cumbersome for daily use.

• Path 2: Incorporating low-efficiency solar cells.

  • This would fail to meet the charging specification, as it would not generate enough power in a reasonable time.

• Path 3: Using brittle materials for the case.

  • Such materials could lead to early wear or compromise the protective function, violating the durability goal.

Morphological Chart: