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Our Story
In my freshman-year robotics class, Coach Morgan assigned personal projects involving 3D-printing as the last class assignment before winter break. I’ve always been interested in solar panels and their utilization of renewable energy, so I chose to CAD a solar light. Already in the Christmas break mindset, I roughly designed a solar panel light in SolidWorks, didn’t think too much of it, then promptly left for the holidays.
Shortly after coming back from winter break and starting a new semester, a catastrophic snowstorm hit Texas and shut down the state’s electric grid operator, leaving millions of families without electricity, heat, running water, and propane. My family had to drive cautiously on the icy roads to deliver flashlights and batteries to a family friend who experienced a power outage for over 4 days.
The multitude of these events inspired me to start prototyping Organic Lights and elevate situations like these in the future by providing a reliable light source for emergency situations. While I recognize events like these are rare, I came to a conclusion after the snowstorm that Organic Lights could be so much more than just being used as an emergency light source. They can also be used on a daily basis, promoting ideas about sustainable energy, sparking interest in STEM, and ultimately, spreading hope.
What We Do
Organic Lights creates 3D-printed rechargeable solar-powered lights that can act as a light source for up to 8-12 hours if fully charged. The lights are charged through built-in solar panels or the micro-USB port on the bottom. There are two prototypes of different sizes, each having different efficiency and power benefits. Through these lights, our goal is to spread interest in STEM, sustainable energy, and most importantly, hope. On all 4 sides of each Organic Light, there are spaces for customizable drawings and notes that make each Organic Light more customizable and unique.
Customizable Panel Designs:
