On Thu, Nov 24, 2011 at 12:12 PM, Laban Mwangi <lmwangi@gmail.com> wrote:

Lets start with the idea of a ebook reader -- it requires :
   1* electricity - to charge the ebook reader
Ebook readers sip power. Modding them to use embedded solar panels may actually work

   2* a computer - to add/remove books, update the software etc.

Or comes equiped with 3G and accesses your library in school or.... pay a small fee to a business that runs book rentals and you have access to their entire library.
   3* cost -
            ~ $100 / ebook reader (if it drops, it breaks - yes, i have broken a kindle myself in that simple way ) ,
True. I broke my ebook reader's substrate by placing my elbow on it... The eink substrate can be ruined easily. They can be hardened though.. Thicker glass perhaps?
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77420&page=2&langid=2
            ~ $300 cheap computer laptop ,
Not necessary.. Use 3g
            ~ running cost - electricity (fuel)

the link mentioned that the project provided a generator to charge the ebook readers.

project cycles are dependent on funding -- anywhere between quarterly cycles to yearly. very very few projects extend into having a vision beyond a funding cycle or in terms of time -- lets say "a decade".

this thing doesnt look sustainable once the project cycle runs out. they could as well have dropped money from an aeroplane.
Solar cells on the ebook reader or a community solar charger would also work. And, it would outlive the ebook reader. A solar panel can easily last 20 years.

Here's some math (Caveat: These are estimates.):
Used to own a pocketbook 302: http://www.pocketbookreader.com/PocketBook_302.html
It could easily go for a month on a single charge and I could read a book in direct sunlight.
Battery capacity: 2050 mAh
Drains in 4 weeks assuming 6 hours use for 5 days =>

In [6]: 2.050/(4*6*5)
Out[6]: 0.017083333333333332
That's 170 milliamperes

Assuming a battery that produces 3.7 volts, we are sucking (Watts = volts*amps) from the batt
In [7]: 3.7*2.050/(4*6*5)
Out[7]: 0.06320833333333334
0.06 watts.

Assuming we have 50% loss from the circuitry, battery charging etc, we need to replenish the number above * 2 to be on the safe side
0.12 watts.

That should be easily covered by a solar charger

Here's a 10 USD 1 watt solar panel: http://www.adafruit.com/products/262

See:
http://www.ladyada.net/make/solarlipo/
http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2010/03/how-to/how-to-make-your-own-solar-cell
http://www.solideas.com/solrcell/english.html
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/03/donutsolar/

Or maybe, we should wait for Mirasol
- http://www.mirasoldisplays.com/kyobo