GravityLight
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/GravityLight_-_bag_-_01.jpg/220px-GravityLight_-_bag_-_01.jpg)
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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ "Help make it happen for GravityLight, lighting for the developing countries". Deciwatt.org. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
- ^ "GravityLight: gravity lighting without battery". Ghacks.net. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
- ^ Divulgação. "Nova lâmpada é movida a gravidade - EXAME.com". Exame.abril.com.br. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
- ^ "Soon, lamps powered by gravity - The Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
- ^ "Schwerkraft-Lampe Gravity Light, Android-Konsole Esfere - SPIEGEL ONLINE". Spiegel.de. 2012-12-13. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
- ^ Warr, Philippa (2012-12-18). "Innovative £3 light powered by sand and gravity". Wired.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ^ "GravityLight: lighting for developing countries". Indiegogo. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ a b Joann Pan (2012-11-28). "This $5 Lamp Is Powered Solely by Gravity". Mashable.com. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
- ^ "A $5 Lamp Can Change The World - GravityLight". Forbes. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Deciwatt GravityLight". PopSci. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "The 25 Best Inventions of the Year 2013". Time Magazine. Retrieved 16 February 2014.