Brazilian mechanic creates light bulb using water, bleach and a bottle
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Alfredo Moser’s cheap and environmentally friendly invention is picking up steam
in developing nations around the world. The 'Moser lamp' was picked up by the
Liter of Light campaign and is now brightening 140,000 homes in the Philippines.
A Liter of Light Tanay Rizal
Published on Jul 21, 2012
Seeding program goes to Tanay Rizal's My Shelter Foundation
in partnership with DSWD's Pang Tawid Pamilya program.
For more information email info@aliteroflight.org
All Photos courtesy of Aljazeera
Alfredo Moser was just looking for a way to light his workshop during a blackout. By early next year, the humble mechanic’s invention is expected to brighten about 1 million people’s lives.
A Brazilian mechanic is bringing light to the masses.
With just a plastic bottle, water, and bleach, Alfredo Moser has found a way to produce a light that is up to 40 or 60 watts — stronger than some light bulbs.
"It's a divine light,” the inventor told the BBC. “God gave the sun to everyone, and light is for everyone. Whoever wants it saves money. You can't get an electric shock from it, and it doesn't cost a penny."
Here’s his trick. Moser harnesses solar power by refracting sunlight through a clear two-liter plastic bottle that is filled with water.
Alfredo Moser lives in Uberaba, Brazil. He came up with the idea for his lamp
during one of his town’s frequent blackouts.
"Add two capfuls of bleach to protect the water so it doesn't turn green [with algae]. The cleaner the bottle, the better," he said.
He tops the bottle with a black cap, then pushes it through a hole in his roof.
"You fix the bottle in with polyester resin,” Moser said. “Even when it rains, the roof never leaks — not one drop."
BBC - The clear plastic bottle is filled with water and some capfuls of bleach.
In many parts of the developing world, electricity is still unreliable or too expensive for the poor. In rural areas or city slums, millions of families still drill tiny windows into their shacks to let a little bit of light peek in.
The idea for the lamp came to Moser in 2002, during one of the requent blackouts in his hometown, Uberaba, Brazil. The handyman needed a way to light his workshop.
Once he figured out the magic recipe, he placed the lamps in his neighbor’s homes and his town’s supermarket.
The bottle is placed on rooftops. Sunlight is refracted through the water and into the room below.
Although he charges a few dollars for installation, the invention was never meant to be a “get rich quick” scheme. Moser still drives a 1974 car and lives with his wife in a simple house. But he’s proud that his lamp has given others a little bit of hope.
"There was one man who installed the lights and within a month he had saved enough to pay for the essential things for his child, who was about to be born. Can you imagine?" he said.
By next year, the “Moser lamp” is expected to brighten the lives of at least one million people — at their homes, schools, or stores. It’s already made headway in at least 16 countries, including the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Argentina, and Fiji, the BBC reports.
The Moser lamp gives out as much light as a 40-to-60-watt bulb.
The MyShelter Foundation in the Philippines creates houses using sustainable products. Moser’s invention caught the eye of Illac Angelo Diaz, the organization’s executive director. He started the Isang Litrong Liwanag (A Liter of Light) project, which has already helped install about 140,000 lamps in the Philippines.
Some people have used the indoor light to grow hydroponic vegetables. MyShelter also offers training for people who want to earn money by installing the lamps in their neighborhoods.
The bulb doesn’t work in the night and can’t store energy. Still, Diaz thinks the light has plenty of potential.
"Alfredo Moser has changed the lives of a tremendous number of people, I think forever," Diaz said.
How To Make a Liter of Light