A new pendant lamp designed by a Dutch designer likely won’t be appealing to germaphobes. Called Spark of Light, the device doesn’t require electricity to light up, but is powered by breathing, electrochemically-active bacteria instead.
Invented by designer Teresa van Dongen, the lamp builds upon her previous work harnessing bioluminescent bacteria. Without the use of plugs or batteries, this eco-friendly bulb differs from contemporary lights — but those aren’t the only reasons that give it its unique glow. To keep it shining, the organisms inside must be fed and bred to give off small electrical currents.
Housed in four divided spherical-shaped compartments within the lamp, the bacteria’s currents are harnessed and sent into an electrode placed within each compartment, which powers the LED at the center. According to van Dongen, only a teaspoon of acetate every two weeks is needed to keep the bulbs glowing without any additional electricity, 24 hours a day. Better yet, the vessels only need to be cleaned every few months, along with the refueling of tap water, salt, and vitamins. During the cleaning process, the bacteria stays in the electrode until the clean vessels are reattached.
Van Dongen, who studied biology before graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven, plans to make her invention into a consumer-friendly product. The designer said her project is currently a work in development, as she recently discovered that the bacteria works better when attaching more LEDs per electrode.
What are your thoughts on this zero-electricity bulb? Leave a comment below.
Source: Wonderful Engineering
Advertisement
Learn more about Electronic Products Magazine
