GELUX

What it does

Gelux is a system that captures natural light from the rooftops and transports it, through optical fiber, to hydrogel panels located in the ceilings of rooms, so that they are illuminated with natural light.

Your inspiration

After an intense analysis of a wide variety of problems, the precarious situation of some buildings regarding their illumination systems caught our attention. We discovered, after further research, that light is not just a mere resource, but it is essential and very benefitial for our health. Using natural light also reduces electricity consumption, causing a double benefit, both for each individual human and for the planet.

How it works

Gelux consists of two parts: a light collector, which is placed on the roofs of buildings, and panels through which the light is diffused into the rooms. The light is transported through fiber optic cables. The collector is a glass sphere whose surface is coated with fresner lenses, which transform all light into coherent rays for transmission to the optical fiber. The sphere is attached to the center of a parabolic mirror, so that the rays that do not strike directly bounce off the mirror and reach the center of the sphere, where the optical fiber is located. This system is anchored to the roof by screws and has a layer of glass to protect it from inclement weather (rain, pollen). The panel is made up of two sheets, an upper aluminum sheet to reflect all the light into the room, and a lower diffuser sheet. Between them there are cured hydrogel tubes, where the light coming from the optical fiber is injected.

Design process

It all began with the idea of improving homes, and we realized light was an important resource often forgotten. We wanted to use mirror to refelct the light inside, but we discarded the idea after checking that a lot of light intensity was lost. Afterwards, we discovered the Himawari, and we almost changed project, because it looked like a really effective solution. However, it needed an electricity supply to work, and we wanted a fully auto-sufficient design, so we decided to continue. We just had to figure out how to do it. For light transportation we soon realized optical fiber was the best solution. After a deep materials research, we found hydrogel, and we chose it due to its optic properties. Moreover, when treated, hydrogel barely needed maintenance, so it was perfect. We noticed that some light was lost upwards, so we decided to introduce an aluminium sheet that reflected it all downwards. We also added a diffuser underneath, so that light was more comfortable. We also added a parabolic mirror to the light catching system, so that the light that was not directly caught by the sphere bounced back inside of it. We also chose Fresnel lenses rather than polarizers to make the light coherent due to its better effectiveness.

How it is different

Innovation in this product is based on its auto-sufficiency. There are many similar products that capture natural light, however, they all need some electrical supply. Also, the idea itself of illuminating whole rooms introducing light from the outside has not been totally exploited yet, but we think it is a field where a lot of work can be done and that has huge benefits, both for our physical and mental health and for the planet. Another innovation point is the use of hydrogel, as it is a material that is not very used in the industry. However, it has really goodproperties and is really durable.

Future plans

We started this as a class project, so we did not have further plans for it. We just wanted it to be functional and aesthetical. However, as we dived deeper in the project, we realized the huge impact it could have and that it could imporve many people's life quality. So, if we were given the chance, we would like to develope prototypes tp try it, improve possible flaws and implement it on houses. With Gelux, everyone would have access to a resource we all have the right to enjoy.

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