Lamp Powered by Algae and Breath

Designer Mike Thompson's beautiful Latro lamp (Latro is Latin for thief) is about as green as it gets- visually and conceptually. The light fixture uses electricity generated by algae during photosynthesis to create light. The energy created is stored in a battery until it is required, and by breathing into the handle of the lamp, the user provides the necessary CO2 to induce the reaction. Thompson describes: "Latro is a living, breathing product. Algae are incredibly easy to cultivate, requiring only sunlight, carbon dioxide (CO2) and water, offering a remarkably simple way of producing energy. Breathing into the handle of the lamp provides the algae with CO2, whilst the side spout allows the addition of water and release of oxygen." How very poetic, too, that the lamp requires sunlight, to create usable light: "Placing the lamp outside in the daylight, the algae use sunlight to synthesize foods from CO2 and water." Thompson's approach has a sort of Chia Pet quality to it, as well, requiring that the user engage with the object and become more aware of the processes require to power it.