Turning Gravity Into Light - Smarter Every Day

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Turning Gravity Into Light - Smarter Every Day 146


https://youtu.be/Jsc-pQIMxt8?feature=player_detailpage

From the description:

THIS IS GENIUS. Why haven't we figured this out before? Whenever I go to Africa and South America I always make sure to pack a ridiculous amount of batteries. People always ask me for them because batteries which you purchase in country are horrible. This blending of an ancient technology with a new technology is a game changer, and as a mechanical engineer, I find it to be super exciting.

For those wondering, the units are just under $10, so the payback for a family in a developing nation should end up being about 3 months. This effectively eliminates the kerosene lighting poverty trap that millions of people fall into. I absolutely love it when engineering innovation solves an economic and environmental issue.
Click to expand...

Looks like a good idea for a general purpose generator. Would be good to have if the grid ever goes down (i.e. the Carrington event).
 
That's a great idea, although using the LED to regulate the motor speed is a limitation on light life and efficiency. With improved regulation a heavier weight would fall slower and therefore last longer. Perhaps it already has a form of regulation:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/GravityLight+Internal+Gears+Replacement/30561

This is a trial version. The motor has a multiple diameters on the spindle that contacts the rubber wheel. It looks like the motor is spring loaded so that the user can adjust the gearing ratio. It looks like the motor mount is connected to the hanging hole, so perhaps the weight of the load causes the motor to automatically adjust position to improve efficiency?
 
I also thought it was great idea,but could not find where to buy it....It seems that the Shell Company owns them?
There is also here a discussion for the technically inclined : https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9981745
 
Wow, that is amazing! Very creative and not having to rely on batteries or electrical panels could really come in handy.

velita said:
I also thought it was great idea,but could not find where to buy it....It seems that the Shell Company owns them?
There is also here a discussion for the technically inclined : https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9981745
Click to expand...

From the looks of it they are still in the stages of development and getting feedback as to what needs to be improved. It also seems like they are looking to set up shop and get them produced on a wider scale in Kenya first. So unfortunately, depending on where you are, you can't buy one just yet. _http://gravitylight.org/
 
Right.Besides disappointment,I experience a bit of suspicion:
this has been around since 2012;it is ingenious but relatively low tech. So :huh: :huh:something,someone is blocking it?
 
Yeeeah... It's nifty, but Shell funded the project and it owns it? Well, that's not surprising.

Kerosene comes from petroleum.

If all those people aren't buying kerosene any more, then surely there is a catch somewhere. Companies like Shell don't give away their profits because they're so kind and generous...
 
Or setup as a PR project, develop it, advertise it in minimal avenues as proof of exposure but don't support it enough for actual distribution in needed areas.
 
Yeah, I reckon that Shell is interested in this project so that they have the exclusive rights to make sure it never hits the market. But, they gave away the whole idea on Youtube, so people can build them for private use, it's just illegal sell them without permission.
 
Shell funding the project only to bury it or create all sorts of roadblocks to prevent production on a wide scale seems entirely possible.
 
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