Scientists save power by pumping in sunlight
By Ryan Block 
posted Mar 17th 2005 7:34AM
posted Mar 17th 2005 7:34AM
The dilligent scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working to perfect hybrid solar lighting, which they
hope could be the cure for the worlds biggest electricity drain, indoor bulbs (odd, this whole time we thought it was
SETI@home). Basically the system collects light from the roof and pipes it indoors via fiber optics—of course, the
technology wouldn't do much good in places like Glasgow, so it comes equipped with external optical sensors which will
adjust the indoor lighting for the most efficient balance between bulbs and fiber optics (hence "hybrid"). Too bad,
guys, but they did this years ago in Japan, and we wouldn't be surprised if it's long been a built-in feature of new
domiciles there.
[Via slashdot]
This is actually a terrific idea, one related to an old automotive engineering concept of single-bulb/ multi-fiber lighting. the idea was that if you ran enough fiber to all the points in the car that needed illumination, you could have a single high-intensity bulb (tucked away safely somewhere that only a $75/hr mechanic can reach with a $200 special tool straight from the automaker's OEM) that would be a central "sun".
it's a good idea, if you can get enough light to all points in the intensity you require.
I've got Wide Intensity New Design Optical Waveguides in my house.
Years ago, there was a Japanese company that made huge collectors on the roofs of buildings. Basically a honeycombe of lenses that focused large amounts of sunlignt into fiber optic cable. That then ran to a dispersion point(s) all throuhout the building. They were even grown plants indoors with the lighting.
The lower tech way of doing this is with a mirrored skylight tube. They've been on the market for a while, more practical for southern regions.
Two competing versions:
http://www.solatube.com
http://www.sunpipe.com
mix this with this: http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000533036357/
Mark @2,
thats so good, alot like wut the Gundam SEED people love to do...