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Alfredo Moser's invention is lighting up the world. In 2002, the Brazilian mechanic had a light-bulb moment and came up with a way of illuminating his house during the day without electricity - using nothing more than plastic bottles filled with water and a tiny bit of bleach.
In the last two years his innovation has spread throughout the world. It is expected to be in one million homes by early next year.
So how does it work? Simple refraction of sunlight, explains Moser, as he fills an empty two-litre plastic bottle." Add two capfuls of bleach to protect the water so it doesn't turn green [with algae]. The cleaner the bottle, the better," he adds. Wrapping his face in a cloth he makes a hole in a roof tile with a drill. Then, from the bottom upwards, he pushes the bottle into the newly-made hole." You fix the bottle in with polyester resin. Even when it rains, the roof never leaks - not one drop."
"An engineer came and measured the light," he says. "It depends on how strong the sun is but it's more or less 40 to 60 watts," he says.
According to his BBC interview, it was his boss that suggested using a plastic bottle filled with water as a lens to focus the sun’s rays. Mr. Moser then used the concept to create his inventive light.
“It’s a divine light. God gave the sun to everyone, and light is for everyone. Whoever wants it saves money. You can’t get an electric shock from it, and it doesn’t cost a penny.” Alfredo said.
It’s clear that Alfredo is not sharing his lighting method for personal gain, but to help others. He earned a few dollars installing the lights in his local supermarket and neighbors’ houses, but his invention has not made him a wealthy man.
It is reported that over 140,000 homes in the Philippines have been fitted with water bottle lights. This is exceptional considering that a quarter of the population in this region lives in poverty. 15 other countries live in similar conditions, including Argentine, India, and Fiji.
"Alfredo Moser has changed the lives of a tremendous number of people, I think forever," he says." Whether or not he gets the Nobel Prize, we want him to know that there are a great number of people who admire what he is doing."Did Moser himself imagine that his invention would have such an impact?"I'd have never imagined it, No," says Moser, shaking with emotion."It gives you goose-bumps to think about it."
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23536914
http://xposethereal.com/science/how-to-use-plastic-water-bottles-and-bleach-to-create-light.html
