The lamp can open and close, similar to a book. When the lamp is absorbing sunlight, it opens for the solar panel layer to absorb sunlight. Biomimicry examples include the transparent butterfly wing, artificial leaf, hornbeam leaf fold, and gecko hair. The materials chosen for this project are all sustainable.
School of Design | Interior Design
Students: Xiangge Liu, Menglie Zhao, Jisun Ahn
Faculty: Tetsu Ohara, Rebecca Welz
Advisors: Jacob Russo, Carolyn Shafer
The first layer is the butterfly wing for solar energy absorption, as the tiny scales are layered to scatter and distribute light evenly and help with fast heat absorption. The material chosen is amorphous silicon as it is a thin-film material and is one of the photovoltaic materials that give the least ecological impact.
The second layer is the artificial leaf which can absorb sunlight and energy from the water. The artificial leaf includes self-healing properties against bacteria growing on the surface, which is an advantage for our site as the water in Makoko is dirty which will need properties to protect itself from the filth while being able to be used on the water to gather energy. The material chosen is crystalline silicon, as it is made with ocean-friendly plastic and is very durable.
The third layer is the light bulb and sensor panel made of PMMA(acrylic) as it is durable (can last 10-20 years) and recyclable.
The fourth layer is a transparent foldable cover using hornbeam folds for its durability. When the lamp is folded, the cover will surround the lightbulb and diffuse light. The material chosen is vellum, as it is naturally transparent and made with 100% pure cellulose fiber. Vellum is paper that has high durability and can be recycled. Eventually, one ton of recycled paper can save 1,678 pounds of waste, 17 trees, 17,000 gallons of water, and 5,000 pounds of CO2.
The base will include gecko hair technology in order to stick onto a hard surface vertically and horizontally. The material chosen is Green Cell Foam (GCF), as it is a non-petroleum-based, anti-static foam made from cornstarch.
