To participate in a student design contest, the then 23 year old Sandra Rey he found himself watching videos on YouTube about sea creatures. Among these, some endowed with bioluminescence produced in their passage a thin luminous halo.
Since then, Rey has set out to replicate this natural technology and today, 5 years after that episode, it was born glow, the startup that creates luminescent installations for public spaces and hotels.
Sandra admits that her creation will hardly be able to replace the lights of the living room or car headlights, but hopes to create enough light. How much? Enough to play a role in the light mix that helps the world reduce its dependence on electricity, at least from that “insane” born from non-renewable sources.
A brilliant story
At the beginning of her research, Sandra Ray says she often worked in complete darkness to be able to distinguish a very faint glow, otherwise indistinguishable.
Like the photographers of the last century, in his "darkroom" he waited 10 to 15 minutes for a little faint light to be produced. Today he obtains decidedly more flattering results, and there is still room for improvement.
One of the first investors to help Sandra was Cyprien Comarmond, CEO of a company construction and today also a member of the Glowee board.
“Glowee can have a huge impact on the environment,” says Cyprien. “Creating light without electricity means less pollution from nuclear and coal. We reduce the environmental impact with natural substances. And let's create atmosphere, too!”
A sustainable solution
Bioluminescence can be a valid option: fighting global warming by reducing the use of resources limited, waste and pollution is not bad.
Despite the over 10.000 units already sold (mainly in hotels and spas, due to the very relaxing light produced) Glowee is not yet profitable, and the company also finances itself by setting up artistic installations for events.
Within the next 3 years, Rey hopes to produce enough light strong to provide also outdoor night lighting, or for urban furnishings, also capable of reducing light pollution in our cities.
Natural light
Glowee's light comes from marine bacteria that emit it naturally. It is living organisms, which is why they require maintenance that is in some ways vaguely similar to that of an aquarium.
And the switch?
There is. The light can be regulated: with a small device, the bacteria are deprived of oxygen (don't worry, they fall asleep but don't die) and without oxygen the light goes out. Is oxygen reintroduced? The light comes back on.
Fascinating potential
Glowee light can supplant in some environments both classic and LED. For example, imagine a bedroom with entire bright walls that can provide artistic beauty and the soft night light needed.
Upcoming developments
As mentioned, Glowee is not yet profitable but with over 4 million euros collected survives very well. It counts on over 800 small investors who have bet on society through a crowdfunding platform. A big investor willing to take Glowee to the next level wouldn't hurt, though.
