London Design Silver

2025

Bright Net-Zero Lamp: Algae-Powered Smart Light

Entrant Company

National Cheng Kung University

Category

Product Design - Bio-Solar Smart Lighting & Environmental Installation

Client's Name

Country / Region

Taiwan

Nestled in a quiet corner of the city or campus, a remarkable street lamp stands as a testament to innovation and environmental stewardship. This is the Bright Net-Zero Lamp, a pioneering solution that transcends the traditional role of street lighting by actively contributing to the health of our planet. By ingeniously transforming ordinary streetlights into vibrant ecosystems, this lamp cultivates microalgae while harnessing solar energy and incorporating smart monitoring technology. During the sunlit hours, it absorbs sunlight, fueling the growth of algae that, in turn, efficiently convert carbon dioxide into precious oxygen. As dusk descends and darkness envelops the streets, the Bright Net-Zero Lamp awakens, casting a warm, inviting glow that guides pedestrians safely on their journeys home. In this way, it not only illuminates the path ahead but also alleviates the environmental burden typically associated with street lighting.



Distinct from traditional streetlights that solely provide illumination, smart microalgae carbon-capturing lamps introduce a captivating layer of dynamic vitality to urban environments. The algae’s vibrant emerald hue serves as an effective barometer for air quality, establishing the lamps as living, breathing landmarks amidst the concrete jungle. The inner walls of these innovative lamps are meticulously treated using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and KOH pretreatment techniques, which maintain exceptional light transmission over time. This careful engineering enables the microalgae to thrive consistently, thriving in a harmonious cycle of light and life. In addition, the integration of intelligent monitoring systems that regulate both light and airflow contributes to the stable operation of these lamps over extended periods. Unlike conventional commercial landscape lighting, these smart lamps foster not only viewing experiences but also education and interaction, ultimately symbolizing a remarkable symbiosis between urban living and the natural world.



Furthermore, built-in AI diagnostics offer proactive monitoring, providing early alerts for any anomalies within the solar panels. This feature enhances reliability and minimizes downtime. Additionally, the lamp is equipped with nano-scale coatings that prolong cleaning intervals, significantly reducing the need for manual inspections and, consequently, lowering maintenance costs.

Credits

CHEN CHUN-YEN
WANG RUEY-YU
NG I-SON
HSIEH YU-MING
CHANG YU-CHI
CHEN WEI-CHUN
LIU HUI-CHI
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