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GravityLight

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GravityLight is a gravity-powered lamp designed by the company Deciwatt for use in developing or third-world nations, as a replacement for kerosene lamps. It uses a bag filled with rocks or earth, attached to a cord, which slowly descends similar to the weight drive in a cuckoo clock. This action powers the light for up to thirty minutes.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Funding and development

The IndieGoGo campaign of GravityLight was ended on January 15, 2013 with $399,590 funded by 6219 funders.[7]

Martin Riddiford and Jim Reeves worked on GravityLight as a side project for four years.[8]

Operation

There are no operating costs after the initial purchase of the appliance. A standard GravityLight kit comes with an adjustable lamp and a ballast bag. The light can be turned on by filling the bag with approximately 20 pounds weight[9] (10 kg) and lifting it up to the base of the device; the weight falls over a period of 25 minutes, pulling a strap that spins gears and drives an electric generator, which continuously powers an LED.[10] This creates enough energy to last 25 minutes whenever it is needed.[8]

In the media

GravityLight was called one of The 25 Best Inventions of the Year 2013 by Time Magazine.[11]

Further reading

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to GravityLight.
  1. ^ "Help make it happen for GravityLight, lighting for the developing countries". Deciwatt.org. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
  2. ^ "GravityLight: gravity lighting without battery". Ghacks.net. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
  3. ^ Divulgação. "Nova lâmpada é movida a gravidade - EXAME.com". Exame.abril.com.br. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
  4. ^ "Soon, lamps powered by gravity - The Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
  5. ^ "Schwerkraft-Lampe Gravity Light, Android-Konsole Esfere - SPIEGEL ONLINE". Spiegel.de. 2012-12-13. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
  6. ^ Warr, Philippa (2012-12-18). "Innovative £3 light powered by sand and gravity". Wired.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
  7. ^ "GravityLight: lighting for developing countries". Indiegogo. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  8. ^ a b Joann Pan (2012-11-28). "This $5 Lamp Is Powered Solely by Gravity". Mashable.com. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
  9. ^ "A $5 Lamp Can Change The World - GravityLight". Forbes. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  10. ^ "Deciwatt GravityLight". PopSci. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  11. ^ "The 25 Best Inventions of the Year 2013". Time Magazine. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
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