Meet Alice Min Soo Chun, an inventor, mathematician and origami expert as well as co-founder and CEO of Solight Design. Alice’s company creates a product that’s shining light in areas where it isn’t always easy to come by—especially after the sun goes down. Her product casts a warm evening glow in backyards, beaches and even in homes in places ravaged by weather and wars, like Puerto Rico, Haiti and Syria.
We Can Solve This: The SolarPuff
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Designer Alice Min Soo Chun was inspired by origami to create a solar lantern that could be folded flat. So far, they’ve delivered 14,000 lights to Puerto Rico, and plan to deliver more thanks to some help from a crowdfunding campaign. You can give light here: https://solight-design.com/products/donatelight
Posted by The Years Project on Monday, January 15, 2018
Alice’s invention is called the Solarpuff™. It’s a solar-powered, collapsible, light source designed using the principles of origami. Costing just under $30, it’s waterproof, floatable, and it can illuminate a 10 x 10 room for 8 to 12 hours. And because it’s collapsible and lightweight (only 2.6 ounces), it’s also very easy to ship, making it easier to get into the hands of people who have no access to electricity.
Perhaps best of all, for each Solarpuff that’s purchased through its 10 Million Rays of Light campaign, Solight Design contributes to a non-profit partner which delivers lights to regions impacted by natural disaster, war and extreme poverty.
When Alice’s son was born with asthma, she learned that the disease is triggered largely by irritants in air pollution. She also learned that 1.6 billion people, roughly one-quarter of the world’s population, have no access to electricity. Instead, many rely on smoky, soot-emitting kerosene lamps to light their homes at night. Not only is kerosene a major contributor to deadly indoor air pollution, it’s also to blame for about 30,000 house fires a year in India alone.
We love the idea of helping others through purchases you make. Can you think of other companies that support charities in this way? We’d love to learn about them! Just leave us a comment below.Resources:
Amazing idea!!
I love this innovation!! What a terrific idea, and like Norwex, her company is giving back. What a great, uplifting and dare I say, en-“light”-ening article.
Incredible! What a cool, giving company! My family goes camping in the wilderness often and are always looking for easy light sources that isn’t dependent on batteries or fire. These lanterns would be a great solution! Also, we live on the OR Coast in an earthquake zone so we also like to have emergency supplies and kits on hand just in case we need to survive without power for a long period of time. I can see how these lanterns could be so beneficial for our family but even more importantly for all of the people around the world who live daily without power or in cases of natural disasters.
Thanks, Vicky. We agree: The SolarPuff is a great idea and extremely practical for people in all kinds of situations. It’s awesome to see this company donating these lights to people in need worldwide.
I love seeing smart people come up with solutions like this!
I love everything about this !
This is incredible! I love the many uses, and especially the partnership to get these lights to people in need!
Love this idea!!! We love camping and this would be great for backpacking rather than having to bring a bulky lantern. When will they be available?!
Thanks Stephanie! We thought it was a great idea, too. And they are available now. You can click on the third link in “Resources” above and then click on the “Shop” button in the So-Light website. Let us know what you think!
These are so brilliant. Also an eye opener that so many people live without electricity.
This would make a great Christmas gift for kids or guys!! It would be easy to tuck into the car for road trips and for use if you get stranded somewhere overnight