Lamp lit by gravity

Concept illustrations of Gravia depict an acrylic column a littleover four feet high. The entire column glows when activated. Theelectricity is generated by the slow fall of a mass that spins a rotor.The resulting energy powers 10 high-output LEDs that fire into theacrylic lens, creating a diffuse light. The operation is silent and thehousing is elegant and cord free -- completely independent ofelectrical infrastructure.

The light output will be 600-800 lumens - roughly equal to a 40-watt incandescent bulb over a period of four hours.

To "turn on" the lamp, the user moves weights from the bottom to thetop of the lamp. An hour glass-like mechanism is turned over and theweights are placed in the mass sled near the top of the lamp. The sledbegins its gentle glide back down and, within a few seconds, the LEDscome on and light the lamp, Moulton said. "It's more complicated thanflipping a switch but can be an acceptable, even enjoyable routine,like winding a beautiful clock or making good coffee," he said.

Source: vtnews.vt.eduAdded: 7 March 2008