Some living organisms have the natural ability to produce light. So much so that a French start-up was inspired to develop a bioluminescent lighting system, thanks to marine bacteria. “Glowee believes in the power of nature to build a more responsible and pleasant world”can we read on their site.
Bioluminescence against light pollution
Public lighting is responsible for 41% of the municipalities’ electricity consumption. In addition, light pollution is also singled out as being the source of health problems (chronic fatigue, concentration, memorization, etc.) Night lighting, for its part, is accused of harming biodiversity as well as sleep of citizens.
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According to Glowee, bioluminescence could be the solution. Unlike conventional street lamps, which often emit dazzling light and need to be connected to the power grid, it provides light with a blue-green tone and shorter wavelengths, which disturb animals and the human brain less.
Sustainable technology
The founder of Glowee, Sandra Rey, explains for Radio France that like glowworms, fireflies and a large majority of marine species, this light is provided by bacteria. However, these living organisms could be cultivated ad infinitum, which makes it a sustainable technology.
An aquarium was created to cultivate these bioluminescent marine bacteria, usually found in fish or squid. Optimistic, Sandra Rey concludes with Europe 1 that this technology has the potential to revolutionize urban lighting, to transform cities into places “more desirable” and more environmentally friendly.