Cap in Progress

Then we thought about how to make the cap from materials that we can get and make it easier to make. We just stick the paper inside the bottle. We also abandon the tube idea.
















To improve the cap that we made. We cut  upper part into slices in order to stick the shiny paper inside of it. The interior is made of three parts. The shiny part, the supporting part . We just stick the three parts together according to the structure of the cap.

Being Recourceful

            As posted earlier, our team decided to move away from using the bottle in our design because the water ended up actually making the quality of light less strong. Although this gave us a bit more freedom as to not worry about the LEDs getting wet from the water, we had to go through another process of brainstorming to think up a design as simple and clever as a water bottle. The genius of the Luz en Litro is that it doesn't require any special materials, just a water bottle. We did our best job to put our heads together and think of objects that could easily be discarded or recycled.

Here are some pictures of our brainstorming ideas!

We thought of the inside of a chip bag as being very reflective and shiny, and using the bottle still for the frame work of the light. Also we considered using Styrofoam if that happened to be readily available, possible shiny white plastic silverware, and possibly the white inside of bottle wrappers, since the D Light uses white opposed to the shiny silver to reflect the light, we are considering using white as a good alternative. A prototype of using the bottle for the frame work and the chip pack is exhibited below along with a Styrofoam model. Both models produced similar light quality; however, more tests need to be done to compare them more closely. Here are some pictures of our prototyping process with recyclable materials:


 

 

Now the Styrofoam model:

Separating Light from Water

After talking with Amy, we began to think about separating the light from the Luz in Litro. We started by testing the tube light outside of the bottle, and found that the light quality was actually much better than when the tube was in the bottle. We then began thinking about the best ways to increase the light quality of the bulb. We played around we various reflective materials and have so far determine that tin foil is the best in increasing the brightness of the light. We then started to play around with different ways of shaping the foil around the light, and after some testing determined that a conical shape was the best at concentrating and strengthening the light quality. We now have a tin foil hat model that sits around the light, and helps to control the light downward. Using the tubing inside of the conical form, we were able to create a more even quality of light. 

 

The prototype in testing :

Light Update- Testing, Thinking, Reworking

It has been a great week! We have done quite a bit of testing (in our lab - the Men's Room).

We tested the three forms we developed and found that out of the three prototypes the Light Stick model was the brightest. Later in the week, we received the clear medical tubing. The tubing we ordered was not nearly as moldable as we had expected it to be; however this began to push our design thinking in a different direction. We made a more refined prototype of the light stick model using the clear medical tubing. Although we were happy with the results of the tubing, we wanted to find a way to increase the light. 

We took a look at the D-Light for inspiration. We took the light apart to how how exactly it was configured. Taking the D-light apart was actually far more difficult than we had initially imagined, many of the parts are made in such a way that once the pieces are put together the only way to take them apart is by cutting them. In order to take the D-light apart, we needed to saw the clear plastic part off of the orange part at the top. 

 

The plastic surface of the light has a frosted treatment that helps to defuse the light. In an attempt to create this same kind of affect, we used sandpaper to frost the exterior surface of the tubing. We then created a second model for testing. 

Although the frosting of the tubing made a significant difference, we still were not sure if this was the brightest light we could make. We started to play around with the idea of taking the tubing out of the bottle. We tested just the frosted tube and determined that the light quality was actually much better, much clearer. Taking the light tube out of the water helped to centralize the light, rather than diffuse it throughout the space of the room thus reducing the intensity of the light. 

Final Project: Day 6- Prototyping Model 1

Our Goal: Narrow down our prototypes to three or four main options. 

1. Bottle within a bottle

One bottle was cut. The bottom of the bottle and the top of the bottle were attached to create a "small" bottle. The top of a second bottle was then removed, and the "small" bottle was placed inside. The bottom portion of the bottle contains the water, while the top portion contains the electrical wiring. 

In the image to the left, we are testing to see if the two bottles will hold together. No adhesive was applied. We hung up the bottle on a Thursday to test it's durability. It lasted all weekend, but we need to find some kind of clear adhesive to keep it from leaking when it tips sideways if we go with this prototype. 

Testing the Variety of bottle forms for the bottle within a bottle prototype. 

A Close up of the final prototype 

2. Light Stick

This model consists of a simple bottle filled with water, and a tube extending through the cap of the bottle. The tube is about 3/4" thick and will contain the circuit wires and 2 LED bulbs (Although on the sketch it shows multiple bulbs, after some calculations, we determined that the battery/solar panel managed 2 LEDs at best.) The tube will serve to protect the The circuit and bulbs from the water, and will be sealed at the bottom.










Prototype Attempt #1 for Light tube

 

Prototype Attempt #2 for Light tube

3. Lamp Shade Model

Final Project: Day 5 - Our Discussion with Lyndsey

We spoke with Lyndsey on Thursday of last week and we got some really wonderful feedback:

Model Basics and Installation: 
From our conversation with Lyndsey last week, we determined that 10 people within the community use 3 liter water bottles for the Luz in Litro. The Luz in Litros are donations to the community. The model that is used is a "simple model" meaning that it is not connected to any kind of electricity and produces no nocturnal light. In terms of installation, process within this community is slightly different than what we had seen in other places. The Columbia project that we had found online had the bottles installed in corrugated metal roofs. However in the context of this community, many of the homes use clay tile roofing. They remove a few tiles from the roof, and place a pieces of corrugated metal into the space. A circular hole is cut from the metal, and the bottle is placed within the hole. The rest of the installation is essentially the same as what we had seen in other projects, however the piece of metal it is placed among tiles rather than on top of more metal. Electricity availability was another question that we had out on the table- electricity is available in the community, and if there is no electricity solar panels are used. We were also wondering about the possibility of roof batteries, but the question was whether they were truly an accessible option or not. There are rechargeable batteries available, but they are expensive. AAs cost around C$180 (US $7.2) for a pair of two while standard AAs cost C$15 (US $0.60) for the pair. LED light bulbs are available from 4.5 watts to 11 watts. The LEDs are all 12volts. The cost of the 11W LED is US$12.

Usage: 
We also wanted to determine where, within the home, the lights were used, and we found out that the light was being used in the bedrooms (los cuartos) rather than in the public spaces of the home. The light is used all day long, and sometimes on clear nights when the moon is full. Initially we started planning for a transportable light; however members of the community said that it works well as it is now - installed in the roof. One of the main issue that people pointed out was the issue of leakage. The adhesive that is currently used does not work well for the elements and the material (clay tile and zinc). The current adhesive breaks down under the heat, and water filters into the house through the holes.

How the bottles are installed within the roof: 

Final Project: Day 4 - Questions for Lyndsey

We are hoping to speak with the our community partners. Below are the questions that we have prepared.
The questions have been prepared in Spanish:

1.   Cuantas personas usan la luz en litro?
2. Si lo usan, es el modelo simple (la botella, agua, y blanqueador) o el modelo mas complejo con una batería con energía solar?
3.   Donde se usa la Luz en litro? Dentro de la casa? Dentro de una letrina?
1.  La luz esta instalada en el techo?
2. Si se usan dentro de la casa, en que espacio están instaladas?
4. Si no se usa un modelo con batería con energía solar, como llega luz a la casa durante la noche? Hay electricidad que llega a las casas?
5.  El modelo que se usa ahorita usa batería con energía solar?
6. La gente usa mas el modelo simple o el modelo con electricidad?
7. Cuanto tiempo dura la luz?
8.  Ahorita como se obtiene la luz? La gente la compra o compran las piezas y la arman ellos mismos?
9.  Hay necesidad para que la luz sea portable? Funciona bien así come esta – instalada en el techo?
10.  Es posible construir  una estación donde se puede cargar la batería de la luz?
11. Cuales son las problemas mas graves de la luz que quieren mencionar?
12.  Es posible comprar baterías? Son caras?