bioluminescence keeps pani jurek’s living lamps bright at night
all images courtesy of pani jurek

 

 

 

bioluminescence is the living organisms’ ability to emit light. contrary to common beliefs, this phenomenon occurs very often, especially among the organisms living in the depth of sea. it’s that exact process that influenced pani jurek to create ‘living lamps’. together with stanisław loboziak, a biologist from copernicus science centre in warsaw, they created lighting fixtures that can emit light without the necessity of suppling them with the electricity.

bioluminescence keeps pani jurek's living lamps bright at night - 2the ‘living lamps’ consist from glass jars and wooden handles of different shapes that enable user easily put diatoms in motion

 

 

 

to make it possible, they used the bioluminescent diatoms that live in the sea. diatoms can be observed in nature, when waves full of diatoms hit the shore, the water flares with blue magical light. these special organisms have some kind of a biological clock that is responsible for controlling the emission of light. the diatoms do not emit light during the day, it occurs only during the night and when they are in motion. the energy that is needed to produce the light is gained during the photosynthesis. only daylight and the micro-elements that are in the sea water are enough for the diatoms to survive.  during the photosynthesis, process the diatoms absorb the carbon dioxide that causes the greenhouse effect.

bioluminescence keeps pani jurek's living lamps bright at night - 3screw tops hidden inside the wooden elements enable to change the shaped of jar

 

 

 

the lamp that is enriched in the diatoms can emit light even for six to nine months, depending on the pace of the diatom’s growth, and if users want it to work for a longer time pani jurek simply have to dilute the cultivation and the whole process can be renewed. their goal was to show the potential of bioluminescence. it can be used in future to lighten our houses, streets and cities in a way that does not affect our planet like the contemporary sources of energy do. the lamps have been shown for the first time in autumn 2015 during the przemiany festival in copernicus science centre.

bioluminescence keeps pani jurek's living lamps bright at night - 4during the photosynthesis, process the diatoms absorb the carbon dioxide that causes the greenhouse effect