Greener Gadgets: Lightimus Solar Hourglass

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Doug Gunzelmann in Gear+Gadgets

The design of this solar powered LED hourglass is intended to provide sustainable light, remind us of our limited time on this planet, and the important role we play during out stay here. The Lightimus functions in a cyclical pattern like so many natural processes. During the day the lamp charges through the solar cells while at night it can be flipped over to provide light.

Lightimus was designed by Mustafa Emre Olur and will be displayed at the Greener Gadgets Design Competition. In the designers words the Lightimus emotes, “Light, Time & Us… All we are sharing the same time and the same planet to which the sun gives life.” Quite simply, the lamp has two modes with no switch: charge mode and light mode. During the day you place the solar panel side up in a window sill, or anywhere it can charge in the sun’s rays. At night, you turn it upside down so the 12 LEDS can illuminate the colorful half of the hourglass shape.

The specs include:

• 2 x 200 mwp polycristallite solar cells
• 6.0V @ 22mA NiMH Battery
• 12 fixed 3mm LED bulbs
• 8 hour function on full charge

The light is meant to stay on until it slowly fades out, like an hourglass slowly finishing its cycle. The visual element of passing time is conveyed in this way.

Source GreenerGadgets.com

Design, greener gadgets, Greener Gadgets Design Competition, lamp, light, solar, sustainable