Copper Curiosities | Quick Ship Metals News-Blog

Embossed Copper Creates Form in Addition to Function

Feb 252011

Jesse Lupo stands beside his latest distilling marvel made of stainless steel and copper. This 40-gallon still is designed to distill any type of alcohol except Vodka.

Jesse Lupo has been ginning up the heat on welding rods for another still in his shop in Maine and this one is a real beauty, wrapped in a sheet of decorative Georgia style embossed copper. While this particularly distinctive style of copper sheeting is very striking to the eye, it also caused some head scratching at Trident Welding.

Jesse ordered a full size sheet of the Georgia style copper sheeting, which is normally 96” long. When he started measuring to make the cuts for the outer surface of his latest still, he noticed that the copper sheeting was 1-1/4” shorter than expected. Since he has always been pleased with the quality and service from QuickShipMetals.com he called to see why this sheet did not meet his expectations.

What he learned caused him to have one of those “Ah” moments, that we’ve all experienced when the unconsidered obvious is explained. This style of copper sheeting starts out a full 96” in length, but because the Georgia Style pattern is embossed, the surface is raised and that increased height comes at the expense of length and width which are drawn up by the embossing process.

“When it was explained to me it made perfect sense. I just hadn’t considered it before. It’s a beautiful pattern and really gives a dramatic look to this 40-gallon steam jacketed still,” he said.

The copper in this particular design is used to dress up the exterior and conceal the insulation layer on the outside of the steam jacket. The steam is used to heat up the mixture and create the alcohol. Once he is finished with the actual construction of a still, the task of polishing has to be done. For the copper on his stills, Jesse uses Top Brite®, a product similar to Brasso®, but he feels it works much faster and produces a better, longer lasting shine.

For the discoloration that welding creates in stainless steel, he says that a wire brush and a lot of elbow grease is the solution. Another professional trick he shared is to use a vibrator sander and a Scotch-Brite® pad. Once he’s through with the polishing work, he washes the stainless steel with isopropyl alcohol to remove any impurities.

If you’ve got a project that would be improved by a piece of decorative copper, QuickShipMetals.com has an excellent selection that includes Hammered Connecticut , Hammered New York, Hammered New Hampshire, Hammered New Jersey, Hammered Georgia, in addition to the Hammered Georgia pattern.

Log onto the Live Chat link from the website, or call the toll-free number 888-334-2177 and make something happen!

For more information on stills and Jesse’s Trident projects, see the previous article Big Things Brewing at Trident Welding.

Big Things Brewing at Trident Welding

Copper Curiosities, Fun Projects

Jan 052011

Jesse Lupo (r) and his father, Hubert Hall stand beside a still designed to distill honey vodka for a company in New York.

It is always interesting to see the finished products that are created from the many and varied metals sold here at QuickShipMetals.com. When an ordinary sheet of copper, stainless steel or aluminum makes its way through the order/shipping process and heads out the door, sometimes we get to see it again in photos of its new form.

The uses for our metals are as many and varied as the customers who contact us for our products, for each individual has a vision yearning to be realized. All that is required for shape, form and functionality to be created from raw materials is the melding of a creative mind with the metal that meets their needs.

While photos of beautiful creations created from our copper are received routinely, we recently received this photo from Jesse Lupo at Trident Welding, which is more than a bit unusual. Pictured in the photo are Jesse and his father, Hubert Hall, standing next to a 100-gallon vodka still that was custom made for this specific distilling process. This newly completed still is ready for shipment from his shop in central Maine.

Jesse began his professional life as a carpenter but soon developed an interest in welding. He improved upon his skills and became a boilermaker, doing commercial and industrial types of welding. Since he became very good at precision welding of pipes, his next professional pursuit was Bio-Pharmaceutical welding which requires very critical beads. As his worked progressed it occurred to him that the pipes and projects he was welding had a lot in common with a distillery, and a new business was born.

His current business ambition is twofold. First his commitment is to build high quality stills that exceed his customer’s expectations. And then some day he wants to become a licensed distiller himself, with a focus on flavored rums and specialty blends. Certainly his stills are capable of excellent results.

This 100-gallon column still has a decorative sheeting of quilted copper that adds beauty as well as concealing a layer of insulation.

The first man who purchased one of Jesse’s stills has received a Gold Medal Award for his vodka, so the old axiom, “the proof of the product is in the tasting” holds true. “Our stills are very versatile and you can brew any type of alcohol with slight variations in the design. That’s an advantage we have over our competition. Most companies that build stills only do one or two models and those are your only options take it or leave it. I’m a fabricator, and I’m not married to any one design. If a customer wants something special I’ll build it,” he said.

The stills Jesse builds are made of high-quality stainless steel. The copper is used to remove sulfur during distillation and as a decorative metal, or in some instances to conceal insulation beneath its decorative surface.

Micro breweries and specialty distilleries have become so popular around the country, so there is quite a demand for stills today. With the proper governmental paperwork and a simple pot still, anyone can become a distiller of spirits. If you have such ambitions and an idle welder, we’ve got the metal you’ll need. If you lack the welding skills necessary for such a complex creation, give Jesse a call at Trident Welding, and he’ll call us for the quality metal. He’s got the talent; we’ve got the copper and stainless steel.

For more information on brewing or distilling spirits visit the American Distilling Institute website, the creation of renowned alcohol expert Bill Owens. There’s a ton of information and a forum for friendly advice from others that share the passion for brewing spirits.

Give us a call on our toll-free line at 1-888-334-2177, or check out our extensive line of copper and stainless steel online. We’ve got what you need for even the most ambitious project!

Catching the Copper Bullion Craze!

Copper Curiosities

Feb 082010

If you’re impressed with size, take a look at TacomaCopper.com’s “Monster-The 15 Kilogram Polished” bar.

With the world’s economies in turmoil, and not much improvement on the horizon, stock markets around the globe are up and down with the regularity of a carousel horse. Savvy investors are always looking for the next big opportunity, and some you might say have a penchant for investing that make the crap tables at Vegas look like a sure thing.

While precious metals like gold and silver have always been used as a hedge against bets, excuse me, investments in the stock market, the latest marketing ploy has to have some of the promoters of this concept making their sales pitch with tongue in cheek. Clever metal marketers are now pushing Copper Bullion as the next bullish metal for rich returns. Copper bullion bars, ingots, coins, and even vintage pennies are emerging as a brand new niche with precious metals investors and collectors.

Over the years, as the investment metals’ market broadened, platinum and palladium found their way into the mix. Interestingly enough, today platinum (in the range of $1,500) commands a higher price than gold, which has fallen slightly from its recent record price of $1,200 per ounce. Notice in that last sentence I said “today”, for one thing that is always a certainty in any market is change. Depending on which expert you choose to listen to, the big four are headed to double, triple or even quadruple in the coming months.

If you don’t have that kind of money to sink into metal investments, but you still want to play the game, take a look at copper. You can buy a troy ounce of copper for around a dollar, and considering the value of our dollar that’s probably a better use for it. The following information is not an endorsement of any web site, their services, or the financial viability of investing in copper. It is simply a survey of what is happening in this emerging metal market concept.

BullionCopper.com is selling copper in one pound bars, with the same type of artwork that makes other metals so appealing. You can even custom design your own bar, or buy one of the traditional looks such as the Morgan Incuse 3D Pressed Image, the American eagle or the Liberty Bell.

If you’re impressed with size, take a look at TacomaCopper.com’s “Monster-The 15 Kilogram Polished” bar. This company declares their site to be “Home to the Finest Copper Bullion Products.” And perhaps there is something that claim, since all of the product photos feature people holding highly polished bars with white gloves. Presumably you will need your own pair of white gloves once the product arrives, so you can so it off these sanded and highly polished bars to your friends in the appropriate method.

Unadorned bullion bars are another way to invest in copper. Jetco Minting, a U. S. mining company, is selling a variety of copper bullion bars on Ebay, the popular online auction site. If you’re looking for one-stop shopping, check out The Copper Cave. It’s one of the newest copper ingot stores on the WWW. They offer copper bullion bars from all of the major copper bullion mints, so you can comparison shop without all the clicking from one site to another. Certainly there are others, for this is not meant to be an exhaustive presentation on every copper investment available, just a lighthearted look at the curious world of investing, speculation and gambling.

Speaking of gambling or sporting speculation in its purist form, if you bet on the Colts in this weekend’s Superbowl, perhaps a bet on copper would have moved you closer to an investment trophy of your own! Copper, it’s an amazing metal in so many ways. Think about it!

The Ever Changing Copper Penny

Copper Curiosities

Dec 312009

By Frank Ross

Inflation has slowly but surely consumed the value of our fiat greenbacks, and reduced the worth of a penny to compensating for the odd numbers in a sale between a nickel and nothing. Today, it is common to find pennies lying on the pavement in parking lots. People drop them when they reach for their keys, and don’t consider them of sufficient value to bend over and pick up.

The common penny in some of it's many forms.

I pick them up, partly because I’m old enough to have spent my youth collecting pop bottles and cashing them in at the neighborhood grocery store for two cents each. Back in the 50s, a summer day spent collecting bottles could yield enough money to buy a ticket to the theater ($.35), and if you were lucky, a bag of popcorn and a soda!

My second interest in picking up these round copper wafers is a curiosity of the date and mint mark, a habit that lingers from another youthful endeavor, coin collecting. And of course, finding a rare wheat penny is always a treat for a one-time coin collector.

Over the years, the composition of the penny has changed many times, and today there isn’t enough copper in them to matter. Back in the old days, I mean the really old days, from 1793 to 1837, the penny was made of pure copper.

Then, from 1837 to 1857, the one cent coin was bronze, made of a composition 95 percent copper and five percent tin and zinc.

In 1857 they changed the composition again, making it from 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel. This alloy gave the coin a whitish appearance.

The Indian Head Cent became the new classic small penny in 1859 and remained in that style for 50 years. Curiously, the image actually isn’t an Indian, but a representation of Lady Liberty wearing an Indian headdress. In 1909 the Lincoln Cent was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth and went on to replace the Indian Head Cent.

After seven years, the government changed its mind again, and the penny was once again bronze. From 1864 to 1962, the composition was 95 percent copper and five percent tin and zinc, with a slight hiccup for the war effort in 1943. In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, the heads of wheat on the coin’s reverse side was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial in 1959.

The demand for copper during the early days of WWII caused the mints to make the coins of zinc coated steel. However, a few copper pennies were minted during 1943, and anything that is rare is valued by collectors. The 1943 copper penny is one of the most highly coveted coins in the world, which is reflected in their value. A 1943 copper cent was first offered for sale in 1958, bringing more than $40,000. A subsequent piece sold for $10,000 at an American Numismatic Association convention in 1981. The highest amount paid for a 1943 copper cent was $82,500 in 1996.

In 1962 the tin content was removed from the cent, making the composition 95 percent copper and five percent zinc. The alloy remained unchanged until 1982, when it became a copper-plated zinc coin made up of 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper.

Change is the one constant in life, and unfortunately change is often not for the better. For me, a penny should have more copper than 2.5 percent. And that’s another reason that makes finding a wheat penny special. Who knows, perhaps someday I’ll bend over and pick up a 1943 copper penny that’s been overlooked for all these years. Well, it’s worth dreaming about isn’t it?

One thing you can be sure of, the quality of copper at quickshipMetals.com doesn’t change. When you need copper, give them a call. 1-888-334-2177

Copper is a safe alternate for controlling some insects

Copper Curiosities, Simple Solutions

Dec 312009

By Frank Ross

In addition to copper’s amazing properties, it is also an effective tool for controlling other bothersome pests such as mosquitoes and slugs.

Photo by Robin Rosetta.

People living in damp climates, such as the Pacific Northwest, are often plagued with slimy, creeping, plant-eating slugs. There are about 40 different kinds of slugs living in the U.S., but only about half of them are considered pests. The good news is, you don’t have to know what kind of slug you have because the methods of control are the same for all of them.

Slugs have voracious appetites and can destroy a garden over night if enough of them slither in. While chemicals are available, a far safer method of controlling slugs is to set up barriers of copper strips. Some people even use a line of copper pennies to establish a barrier that snails can’t cross. Although these coins current value is probably greater for their recycled metal, strips of copper sheeting are far easier to work with and less likely to be disturbed.

According to University of Idaho extension entomologist Bob Stoltz, there is an environmentally friendly method that repels slugs and doesn’t put harmful chemicals into the soil. Barriers made of strips of copper sheeting work very well because copper causes a reaction with the slug’s mucous that is similar to an electric shock, and that is what repels the slugs.

Making your own copper barriers is simple. Cut the copper sheeting into strips at least two or three inches wide and place them along the edge of your garden’s border, pressing the metal down approximately one inch into the soil. Just make sure you’ve removed all of the slugs from the area you are encircling, or you’ll be keeping the slugs inside instead of out.

You can also use copper strips to prevent slugs from climbing the trunks of trees. If you attach the strips at the end using paperclips instead of a permanent seal, the copper strips will be able to expand as the tree grows and the trunk expands.

The all too familiar droning hum of an approaching mosquito is standard fare during summer months, and in warmer climates there really is no down time for this deadly driller. That’s right; a mosquito’s bite can be far more serious than an itching whelp.

These pesky insects may be small, but each year their bite spreads diseases to more than 700 million people worldwide. Mosquito borne diseases include malaria, and viruses such as dengue, encephalitis and yellow fever. And, don’t forget about heartworms in pets.

Copper can’t help you once these bugs are airborne, but the best method of killing mosquitoes is when they’re in the early stages of development. Mosquitoes deposit their larvae in standing water. Without water they can’t reproduce, so the first line of defense is to make sure there are no reservoirs of standing water around your home. It doesn’t have to be much water either, water in the bottoms of planters or birdbaths are common sources for breeding bugs. The best option is to have no standing water, but in areas where it rains a lot this becomes a weekly if not daily task.

A better solution is to take copper scraps and drop them into areas that hold water. Copper leeches into the water and the copper solution is toxic to mosquito larva. A solution of copper water will kill mosquito larva before they can mature. Before you start sprinkling copper scraps into water, remember it is toxic to tropical fish and invertebrates as well, but if your water has tropical fish in it, they should be eating the mosquito larvae.

You may have to do some experimenting to determine how much copper to put into the various places where you need to establish mosquito control, but it doesn’t take much. Start out with a few short pieces of copper tubing or strips of copper sheeting and come back in a few days to see if you have little wiggling larvae in your water. If so, just add a little more copper.

For controlling insects, other than mosquitoes and slugs, copper is still effective. Simply place the insect between two pieces of copper and press hard!

For more information on slugs and gardening issues, check out the Oregon State University Web site.

And, for all your copper sheeting needs, contact the staff at quickshipMetals.com

Making Copper Sheet Fence Post Caps

Copper Curiosities, Problem Solved, Simple Solutions

Dec 162009

By Chris Granger

Imagine this: You’re about to build yourself a nice fence that’s about twenty-five posts long and you decide to both decorate and protect it from natural rotting with some copper post caps. However, when you go to the store, you realize that at five bucks a cap, this project suddenly skyrockets in expense! Why not save yourself some money and create these easy-to-make copper sheet caps on your own? Copper cap

To start, you’ll need a scrap piece of 4 x 4 fence post (or 6 x 6) about three feet long, a circular saw to create the form on the top of the scrap post, a wooden mallet (preferably hardwood with a 3 inch diameter) to hammer the copper sheet around the form, the copper sheet itself and a pair of metal cutters. The recommended copper sheet is a soft temper, .021 inch thick copper sheet (also known as 24-gauge or 16-oz. copper sheet).

First, you will want to figure out what shape you want the post cap to be.
A basic triangular tip is a good choice. So, using the circular saw, cut the form (your piece of scrap post) to the desired shape.

Second, you might have to experiment, but cut the copper to the correct size for your particular post cap design. I might recommend using some scrap metal to experiment instead of valuable copper sheet. But it’s your choice.

Once you have your cutout, you can anneal the copper sheet to make it more pliable. However, the annealing is completely optional and not entirely necessary due to the copper sheet already being quite soft. Nevertheless, annealing is simply heating the copper sheet for an extended period of time, usually until it is glowing, and then allowing it to cool slowly. This heating can be performed with a common blowtorch.

Next, no matter if you choose to anneal or not, use the mallet to bend the copper around the form. A good technique for working the copper sheet is to pound the mallet in the way you want the metal to bend. This will work best if you can draw the mallet directly towards yourself while hammering.

Finally, to add a nice shine to the copper sheet cap, apply some sealant to keep the it bright and corrosion free.

And…Viola! You now have a beautiful copper sheet post cap! On a final note, be sure to wear eye protection and all the necessary safety equipment while operating any potentially dangerous tools. Hope you enjoy your new post caps!

If you would like more information on copper sheet with soft temper, select this link copper sheet for a fence post cap.

Wolf Dosch, 3-D Artist Extraordinaire

Copper Curiosities, Metal Art

Dec 042009

By Frank Ross

Dosch used steel, sterling and gold. For four weeks he formed, forged, brazed, oxidized, patinaed and waxed.

Wolf Dosch is a German-born metal artist who came to this country in 1963. He lives in the oldest city in the nation, St. Augustine, Florida, where he has spent 23 years making jewelry and selling it at shows and galleries up and down the east coast.

In 2006, Dosch decided to stop making jewelry and pursue his dream of becoming a 3-D artist, working in metal, but also incorporating other materials as the muse so inspired. His work is very unusual, spanning the creative horizon from beautiful yet practical pieces for the desktop, to striking wall art that combines shape, color and form into compelling visual art that captures and controls the eye.

This piece of wall art is made of copper, bronze, sterling and gold.

Dosch utilizes many different metals and techniques, and while his style is readily recognizable from one to another; each has a distinctive flavor. On many you will find he has incorporated stone work, a carry over for his love of jewelry making.

Looking through the many images of his work, it is fascinating to consider that these fine works of three dimensional metal sculpture were once ordinary pieces of flat metal, purchased from quickshipMetals.com. Some say the heart of an artist beats in us all, and the only thing lacking is the courage to take the leap from inspiration to creation.

If you’ve felt that urge to take torch or tool in hand to bend, shape and mold metal into fine art; consider this a gentle push in the right direction. QSM’s customer service staff is friendly, helpful, and has literally tons of potential artwork stacked up and waiting for enthusiastic hands.

View the many photos of Dosch’s work at his web site, expressions-wolfdosch.com.

For all your metal needs, artistic or otherwise, visit quickshipMetals.com.

Solar Energy, Copper on the Cutting Edge

Copper Curiosities, Simple Solutions

Dec 032009

Solar panels hold great promise for reducing our dependence on fossil fuel.

While there aren’t two experts that agree on what the world’s total fossil fuel reserves might be, one thing they’re sure about is we are definitely using it up!

For some time now, scientists and engineers have been focused on the development of alternative energy, with an emphasis on sources that are renewable, efficient and of course affordable. One of the most promising sources for alternative energy is the sun.

Every two weeks, the sun’s rays falling on the earth delivers the equivalent of the fossil energy stored in all of the earth’s known coal, oil and natural gas reserves! The challenge is harnessing it by developing technologies that dramatically reduce our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuel resources.

From the very beginning, copper has been a key component in efforts to harness solar energy, and continues to be a bright spot of encouragement in the development of these solar renewable energy systems. Back in 1927, a copper-copper oxide metal-semiconductor junction solar cell was first demonstrated, but these early solar cells had very low energy conversion efficiencies. Today, researchers are investigating a copper semiconductor called copper indium selenide, which has demonstrated some success in solar cell applications and shows promise for the future. Another copper compound being investigated is cuprous sulfide.

The single most expensive consumer of electricity in our homes is the hot water heater, so if you can reduce the amount of electricity used in this one area it can be a significant savings. Solar collection systems made with copper, and its alloys brass and bronze are being installed in many parts of the world to provide heat and hot water for homes and businesses. For people living in the Sun Belt, solar heaters can provide up to 91% of a user’s annual hot water requirements. Further away from the equator, in more temperate climates, the percentage drops, but is still a significant portion when you consider the savings of over 40%.

Also, in hot climates, solar water heating systems can also be used to heat swimming pools. Solar panels made of copper are the key component in these energy collection systems. Since copper doesn’t degrade from UV radiation or develop pinholes or flexural stresses that lead to system leakage, copper solar panels often last a lifetime.

Copper’s many positive attributes continue to play an important role in our daily lives, often without our being aware of its importance or presence. You need copper? quickshipMetals.com

A Copper Connection to Killing Germs in Your Kitchen!

Copper Curiosities, Simple Solutions

Nov 302009

By Frank Ross

Invite any copper surface into your home, and you’ll be a lot safer for having done so.

The Chop 'N Thaw antimicrobial copper cutting surface and defroster plate is a kitchen innovation sold only at QuickShipMetals.com.

Copper is a natural germ killer that every homeowner should welcome inside, because it has the ability to terminate tens of thousands of microbes on contact. And, it’s not just copper but all of its alloys! According to the Copper Development Association (CDA), uncoated copper and copper alloys kill more than 99.9% of disease-causing bacteria. In recognition of this well-documented research, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered 275 copper alloys as antimicrobial materials, in February of 2008.

To help customers take advantage of this new research, all Copper Kitchen products sold by Quick Ship Metals, a division of Storm Copper, are made of uncoated copper. There is no substitute for good hygiene and sanitation, but copper and its alloys appear to hold the potential to become a major part of an overall program to protect our health. Recently, a major study was initiated to evaluate the effectiveness of copper in reducing infections in hospitals.

Closer to our daily lives, health experts say the kitchen contains more germs than any other room in our homes and cutting boards are a real bacterial bonanza. It’s the cracks and crevices in a cutting board that harbor bacteria, by providing them a secluded space to grow and avoid contact. Most people wash a cutting board, but they don’t disinfect it. When you cut up a chicken, wash the board off with soap and water, then cut up vegetables for a salad, you are playing Russian roulette with your family’s health.

To protect your family, you could disinfect your cutting board after every use, or use separate boards for meat and vegetables. But a simpler and environmentally smarter solution would be to use a copper cutting board that kills the germs without the use of harsh chemicals. With copper you get dead germs without exposing your skin or nose and lungs to chemicals. More importantly, you won’t wash those harsh chemicals down the sink drain where they could ultimately end up in our ground water.

A copper cutting board – like Quick Ship Metals’ Chop ‘N Thaw - not only kills 99.9% of germs, it thaws your frozen foods in half the time. The natural beauty of copper also adds a special touch to any kitchen. So, you can protect your family, cut down on time in the kitchen, and improve the décor. Looks like copper is the natural born germ killer you could learn to love!

Check out some of the great copper kitchen products at : Quick Ship Metals.com

For more detailed information on the antimicrobial properties of copper, visit Copper.org.

Get "Juiced" Anywhere, Thanks to Copper

Copper Curiosities, QuickShipMetals Announcements, Simple Solutions

Nov 302009

By Frank Ross

Now you can recharge your favorite electronics communication devices, thanks to the amazing nature of copper, and the innovative "Juice Bag."

Technology has become such an integral part of our daily lives, it’s hard to remember what life was like without the intrusion of that familiar ring-tone announcing a cell phone call, text message or email needing attention. While some may feel these devices are overwhelming or unnecessary, for today’s active lifestyles personal communications devices are mandatory.

Now that high-tech devices have broken down the barriers which kept us tethered to a physical location, conducting business or checking the latest sports news in a coffee shop, beach side resort or golf course is considered the norm, and those who don’t the “abnormal.” The one challenge all of these savvy communicators face is the dreaded tone or flashing symbol announcing the unthinkable – LOW BATTERY!

Today, thanks to the highly conductive and flexible nature of copper, a low-battery warning doesn’t have to mean the end of your remote connectivity. The Atlanta-based company Reware has developed a portable charging system that uses the innovative copper-based CIGS (Copper-Indium-Gallium Sulfide) solar film. Reware’s introduction of the “Juice Bag,” which is available in several popular styles, has the potential to solve this problem and provide unlimited mobility. The bag gets its name from its ability to “juice up” or recharge your favorite electronic devices. This multifunction bag features a built-in electronic charging station that can recharge small electronic devices, including satellite, cell phones, GPS units, PDAs, iPods, MP3 players and digital cameras.

To accommodate different lifestyles, the Reware Juice Bags are sold as backpacks, totes and messenger bags, convenient for travelers, campers, hikers, fishermen, students and business professionals.

The Reware Juice Bag weighs the same as an average backpack and comes equipped with a built-in universal socket into which a variety of devices can be plugged. A light-weight, copper-based solar panel located on the outside of the bag captures the sun’s energy and charges the system as you go about your daily activities. The time it takes to charge an electronic device is equivalent to the time it takes using a standard electrical outlet— between two and six hours.

Henry Gentenaar, a managing partner at Reware, said they carry the largest selection of solar bags using CIGS technology and, “Thanks to the sturdy composition of the copper-based solar film, Reware bags are high quality and durable.”

The use of CIGS technology in this product not only highlights the progress of solar panel design, but also illustrates the significant role that copper is playing in the advancement of mainstream solar panel usage.

“The great thing about using copper-based panels is that they are very powerful and rugged. We chose copper-based technology because it’s reliable,” Gentenaar added.

For years, copper has been the metal of choice for HVAC, plumbing and building and construction needs because of its durability, recyclability and thermal and electrical conductivity.

“This is really exciting new technology, and it’s no surprise that copper is an enabler in it,” said Bob Weed, vice president of OEM for the Copper Development Association. “In today’s mobile world, a portable electronic charging station is a must have for anyone who wants to stay connected.”

Farhad Moghadam, CEO of Ascent Solar, a Colorado-based company which produces copper-based CIGS solar film, said that the copper solar technology’s efficiency makes it ideal for solar backpacks. Moghadam explained that the use of copper cells carries the benefit of weight reduction, which is a big concern for manufacturers of solar back packs. The thin nature of the copper-based material (only a few microns thick) makes them lightweight and portable, and surprisingly durable for outdoor recreational activities.

“Copper’s electrical and thermal conductivity is what makes it so valuable in increasing the efficiency of CIGS solar technology,” said Moghadam.
The copper film can be manufactured at lower temperatures than other materials, decreasing the manufacturing cost. Solar backpacks for consumers would never have been possible without the decrease in cost of manufacturing attributed to copper.

Several companies, including Sunload and Clear Blue Hawaii, are incorporating copper-based solar panels in their own versions of portable electronic charging stations for the consumer. Along with the solar backpack line, Reware plans to launch portable charging mats that fold to the size of a magazine and can be unfolded to create a charging station. These are popular in military applications, and will soon be available to the public. Gentenaar plans to have the product launched in early 2010.

See the full line of Reware products at their online store: Reware Solar Bags

Older Entries

Quick Ship Metals News-Blog

Embossed Copper Creates Form in Addition to Function

Big Things Brewing at Trident Welding

Catching the Copper Bullion Craze!

The Ever Changing Copper Penny

Copper is a safe alternate for controlling some insects

Making Copper Sheet Fence Post Caps

Wolf Dosch, 3-D Artist Extraordinaire

Solar Energy, Copper on the Cutting Edge

A Copper Connection to Killing Germs in Your Kitchen!

Get "Juiced" Anywhere, Thanks to Copper

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