Eco Factor: Energy-efficient lantern powered by solar energy.
Most of us living in developed parts of the world aren’t actually aware of the problems people living in underdeveloped regions have to battle out each day. For people living in Sub-Saharan Africa, electricity is as futuristic a luxury as space flight is for the western world. A team of students at the Kansas State University are trying to develop low-cost means to illuminate the lives of these people.
The student team has developed a low-cost lantern that is powered by solar energy, which is generated by onboard solar panels and stored in a low-cost sealed lead-acid battery. The LED lantern is about 30% cheaper than the average market value, considering the low cost of materials that were used. While kerosene lamps still remain the first priority of people living in rural areas, solar lamps not only offer brighter light but are cost efficient as well.
Via: ScienceDaily
