2007
light bulb
The first levitating, wirelessly powered lightbulb.
Showings
Collision 8, 2005 Cambridge MA
Sonar 2007, Barcelona, Spain
Press
Gizmodo
WIRED
Treehugger
Neatorama
Hackaday
Slashgear
Credits
Wireless consultation by Joseph Stark and Matt Hancher
Levitation consultation by Professors Joe Paradiso and Roberge
Hardware assistance by Cha-ling O’Connell
Analog help from Mark Feldmeier
Casting assistance Dan Stiehl
Fabrication help Jessica Banks
Computation + Software help Jesse Grey
Transportation Laird Nolan
light bulb is a levitating yet powered lightbulb. It will float stably in midair and remain on for years without any physical contact, charging, or batteries. Ironically, with the levitation and wireless power circuitry both on, this entire package still consumes less than half the power of an incandescent bulb.
This is not a trick or a photo-manipulation. The bulb and the casing contain hidden circuitry that uses electromagnetic feedback to levitate the bulb roughly 2.5" from the nearest object, and uses coupled resonant wireless power transfer to beam power from the housing into the bulb itself.
Tesla invented wireless power transfer in the late 1890's. However this effect is still largely underutilized. I wanted to explore this effect coupled with feedback stabilization of a naturally unstable object. Details in the figures highlight the embedded circuitry and techniques used to levitate and power the bulb.
Inspired by the work of Nicola Tesla.