Living Light is a mood light which generates its electrical supply via photosynthesis. Ermi van Oers and her team have integrated ‘Plant Microbial Fuel Cells’ in a designer product that is viable for consumer use. The better people care for the plant, the more energy it produces. A loving caress, rather than a switch, acts as the on/off button in this case. Living Light literally transforms artificial light into ‘living’ light. That is a major step forward towards a future in which plants play an increasingly important role in satisfying our energy needs.

Living Light is an excellent example of the overlap between design and science. It is the result of research into future energy sources and this prototype expresses the designer’s vision on producing light. It addresses a complex field which immediately captures the attention: just imagine a future in which trees can power street lights! This huge potential makes Living Light a high-impact design which expresses a new relationship between man and nature.