A device that could give a whole new meaning to the phrase wardrobe malfunction is Andrew Schneider’s solar bikini. The skimpy swimwear is covered with 40 flexible photovoltaic cells which feed into a USB connection that can plug straight into your iPod.

Mr Schneider, of New York University, said that just two hours of sunbathing was enough to charge an iPod shuffle. But fans of a dip in the ocean will have to be careful. “You can go in the water, you just have to make sure you are absolutely dry before you plug your iPod in,” he said. He is currently developing a pair of solar-panel covered shorts called iDrink. With the extra sun-capturing area, he predicts these will be capable of generating enough charge to chill a beer.

From here: Hank