To express the value of generated power, designer and sociologist Mike Thompson has created a blood lamp, which as its name suggests, generates power from blood.
The impetus behind Thompson’s blood lamp is to show how much energy consumers waste by illustrating the importance of energy in human life. The average American consumer uses about 3383kwh of energy per year—equivalent to leaving a light on in four rooms for a full year. Since using light requires only the effort to flick a switch, we do not really consider the impact of energy waste on the environment.
Offering a metaphor for the way in which our life and energies affect the world around us, the blood lamp attempts to put in perspective our daily use of energy. It requires the user to break off the top of the lamp, dissolve a tablet in the solution, and use their blood to power the light. Because the lamp can only be used once, the user is forced to consider the importance of actually using the light in that instance.
Blood-Powered Lamps
Mike Thompson Illuminates Energy Waste with Blood Lamp
Trend Themes
1. Energy Waste Awareness - The blood-powered lamp highlights the importance of reducing energy waste by creating awareness through a unique design feature.
2. Biodegradable Power Generation - Creating biodegradable power sources, such as the blood-powered lamp, could reduce the amount of waste generated from traditional power sources.
3. Personalized Energy Generation - The blood-powered lamp could be part of a larger trend of personalized, sustainable energy generation that encourages consumers to take ownership of their energy usage.
Industry Implications
1. Sustainability - The sustainability industry could benefit from the blood-powered lamp as a unique, eye-catching product that promotes environmental awareness.
2. Renewable Energy - Renewable energy companies could invest in research and development of biodegradable and sustainable power sources, including the blood-powered lamp.
3. Design and Innovation - Design and innovation industries could benefit from creating unique and creative products that promote awareness of environmental issues, such as the blood-powered lamp.