Lighting system bioinspired by Haworthia obtusa

Abstract

Electricity plays an important role in modern societies, with lighting and illumination accounting for approximately one-fifth of the global demand for electricity. Haworthia obtusa has the remarkable ability to collect solar light through a so-called ‘window’ which allows it to photosynthesise in the dark. Inspired by this unique characteristic, we developed a novel lighting system that does not use electricity. The ‘window’ of H. obtusa is replicated using a scattering medium that collects solar light and guides it to an optical fibre. The optical fibre then carries the light indoors, where illumination is needed. The efficacy of this unique lighting system was confirmed both numerically and experimentally. The developed system should help in lowering energy consumption.