Solar powered Fujitsu laptop - Green design.

Lifebook Leaf is a concept laptop that embodies the latest environment-friendly trends in technology to renovate the production of laptops in the future. This laptop, conceptualized by designers Laura Karnath and Carl Burdick, was shortlisted from more than 1000 designs submitted for the “Fujitsu design award: A life with future computing”, organized by Designboom in collaboration with Fujitsu.

The laptop runs on solar power. It consists of one OLED touchscreen that can be spread out as a flat display, or folded like a laptop. OLED displays function without a backlight, giving them the freedom to be thinner and less heavy than liquid crystal displays.

How does OLED work?

A Layer of organic material is sandwiched between two conductors - (an anode and a cathode), which in turn are sandwiched between a glass top plate “seal” and a glass bottom plate “substrate”. When electric Current is applied to the two conductors, a bright, electro-luminescent light is produced directly from the organic material.

Why is OLED technology “the future of displays”?

Blazing fast response times, wide viewing angles, exceptional color reproduction, outstanding Contrast levels, and high Brightness. The nature of its technology lends itself to extremely thin and lightweight designs along with the ability to use it in a variety of different applications.

 -To prevent scratches on the touchscreens folded on the inside, the interior of laptop is made from rubber. It's exterior is made from polycarbonate, a material known to be optically sensitive and shatterproof. The exterior doubles up a solar cell that can be charged when the device is folded open and placed upside down.

To communicate with other devices, the laptop integrates a 4G adapter for wireless Internet access. A small OLED panel located at the back of the device alerts users of messages or alerts received during charging. A waterproof zipper prevents damage caused by contact with water.

Designers planned for three cameras to be built into the top of the device so that 3D photography and depth sensing is possible. That way, the laptop can be controlled with gestures as well as with the touchscreen. The designers hope that with more efficient solar panels, the device will be able to generate enough spare power to charge other devices via USB.