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Fiber Optics Bring the Sun Indoors
Sterling D. Allan writes "Fiber optics transmit light, so why not take the light from outside and transmit it inside? According to an exclusive story at PESN, that is what Tennessee company, Sunlight Direct, is now doing. Their 4-foot-diameter solar dish will light 1000 square feet inside -- minus the harmful UV rays -- rendering a more natural lighting feel, which can be hybridized with florescent and possibly LED lighting to provide a constant light level, though the tone changes with the level of light outside. The GPS-based sun-tracking mechanism uses very little energy. Now you can save electricity, cut on heat emissions by incandescent, and improve the feel of your work environment. Beta testing began in June. Product expected in the market in 2007."
we don't need light in our basements!! FP?
RTFS!
God. Why does stupidity exponentiate when people desire to get an early post on a story?
Blast a thinkgeek laser beam in reverse from your cubicle fiber port and wake up some alien race.
During the cold war there was much competition between American and Russian office productivity. The Americans spent millions delevoping a system to direct sunlight into buildings. It was awesome in its capabilities. The sun tracker used very little energy, the interior of the building was laced with miles of fiber optic cabling. All in all a wonder of modern engineering triumph.
When face with a similar problem, the Soviets used a "window".
If Mr. Edison had thought smarter he wouldn't sweat as much. --Nikola Tesla
Here's an article from 1999, which notes: ..."
m
"Sound like science fiction? It's not. One such product, the
Himawari, has been commercially available for nearly 15 years
http://www.sun-tek.com/Docs/ArticleDaylighting.ht
Slashdot: 20-year-old news for nerds. Sigh.
> I saw a system like this on TV about 10 years ago
IIRC, it was invented by Wyle E. Coyote.
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
That's just more ransom money in my pocket when I complete my sun-blocking machine...
Recently put something cheaper in my house. It's just a regular window in the roof. we call it a skylight. well, isn't a regular window but it works just as well and is easier to install
If we cover the Earth with enough quality fiber, we can probably channel sunlight 24/7 from the light to the dark side. I cannot imagine if that is ever going to become practical, but it sure sounds great for the environment.
I find your ideas intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
Beep. Boop. Beep. You have questions. I have answers and your home address.
sorry I couldn't see it on maps.google - probably due to the buildings all being underground :)
Mongrel News all the news that fits and froths
Install some glass windows and skylights. More sunlight for a fraction of the price. Want to be able to turn it off? Just install some blinds.
You know, using thermonuclear fusion to desalinize water in oceans and use it for watering agricultural terrains is pretty old too. It's called rain.
Anagram("United States of America") == "Dine out, taste a Mac, fries"
Fog defense shield. San Francisco and London are safe.
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make install -not war
Wow! There goes my last reason not to go over to the Dark Side.
-Darth Lars