RRELL Products
Description
Artist Stephen Hurrel and scientist Bob Farrell are developing an environmentally-friendly light source.
Using flexible solar cells to power LEDs, they aim to generate light, which is then transmitted through dramatic panels made of recycled plastics and glass.
One of the first applications is expected to be a 'lamp' that would stand on a windowsill soaking up sunlight by day, powering the LEDs, and emit its own light at night.
A state-of-the-art design aimed at the high end of the market, the lamp would be intended to make a striking eco-statement.
Furthermore, because the panels are flexible - and obviously require no mains power - it is hoped they will be of interest to architects and designers looking for an eye-catching, cutting-edge but practical way of lighting public places and spaces.
Why we supported
Stephen and Bob have a history of merging science and art to push boundaries. They created The Rings, a light-based sculpture at the entrance atrium of Glasgow's Buchanan Galleries shopping centre, which reacts to sound from the immediate environment.
But whereas previously, Stephen has been commissioned for work and then bought in Bob's expertise, this is a genuine sci-art collaboration in which they are coming together to innovate from the start.
Jackie McKenzie, NESTA's Starter for 6 Leader, said: "Stephen and Bob have the potential to take their work beyond one-off installations to a product with commercial appeal. This collaboration of science and art, with commercial promise, is exactly the type of enterprise we aim to support."
Impact/benefit
As development work continues to create a prototype, Stephen says: "We are working to determine a formula that will result in the necessary scale, form and light quality. Once we have this confirmed, the possibilities are endless.
"As well as panels, our work could take the form of tubes or circles, for example, making the ideal building block for architects and others. In fact, we think it could offer an important new marker in the search for environmentally-friendly energy solutions.
"Before Starter for 6, we assumed we had to do everything ourselves and it was quite daunting. Now we realise that once we have the prototype in place, we can aim to license the innovation and thus, bring in people with the expertise to exploit its commercial potential."
Written: June 2007
Individuals:
Stephen Hurrel and scientist Bob Farrell
Company:
RRELL Products
Programme:
Starter for 6
Discipline:
Sci art
Location:
Glasgow
Year attended:
2007