Forbes has called it: “a possible alternative to Thomas Edison’s 1879 electric discovery that has the potential to change, not only the light bulb, but also the world.” 
But when architecture graduate students Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta were asked to design a product to assist post-earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, they considered the dangerous conditions at night in the tent cities and turned their attention to another critical need: Light.


It’s the LuminAID: a solar-rechargeable, inflatable lamp that packs flat and inflates to create a lightweight, waterproof lantern. It’s safe, sustainable, portable, and it provides up to six hours of LED light perfect not only for disaster relief situations, but also camping, first aid kits, or even as eco-friendly party lanterns. It was developed by two architecture students as a solution for tent cities in post-quake Haiti, receiving academic acclaim. 

Food. Water. Shelter. When we think of our basic human needs, this triumvirate reigns supreme.

LuminAID: Give Light, Get Light from LuminAID Lab on Vimeo.

Over 1.6 billion people lack access to a stable source of electricity and light — that’s nearly one-in-four people forced to rely upon dangerous, toxic options like kerosene lamps or candles. Existing sustainable lighting solutions are too expensive and bulky to distribute in the quantities needed after a natural disaster or emergency situation.

Stork and Sreshta designed the LuminAID, a product Forbes has called “a possible alternative to Thomas Edison’s 1879 electric discovery that has the potential to change, not only the light bulb, but also the world.” It is a solar-rechargeable, inflatable lamp that packs flat and inflates to create a lightweight, waterproof lantern (images attached). Safe, sustainable and portable, the LuminAID provides up to six hours of LED light ideal for disaster relief situations or recreational use outdoors or in the home.  The LuminAID has been evolved and prototyped to reduce the cost, make it brighter, more durable, and easier to use.

Today through December 3rd, the LuminAID is available to the public in the “Give Light, Get Light” campaign at www.indiegogo.com/LuminAIDThe goal: raise funds for a first round of production – 1,000 lights – for distribution in January 2012. For every light purchased, one or more lights will be sent to community projects, primarily schools and orphanages in India lacking electricity. 
Pledge packages range from $10 to $1,000 (to receive 5 personal lights and outfit an orphanage with lights donated in the name of the buyer or his/her company or organization, custom printed with the logo of choice).
Specifications:

Waterproof design can float

Press-button for OFF, HIGH, and LOW light settings

Super bright LEDs

Simple to use (comes with picture instructions)

4 hours of 35 lumens on HIGH for reading, task work

6 hours of 20 lumens on LOW for safety, night light

Fully charges in 5-6 hours of sunlight

Semi-transparent inflatable casing to diffuse LEDs

Weight: ~90 grams

Source: LuminAid

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