Fiber Optics Bring the Sun Indoors

Sterling D. Allan writes "Fiber optics transmit light, so why not take the light from outside and transmit it inside? According to an exclusive story at PESN, that is what Tennessee company, Sunlight Direct, is now doing. Their 4-foot-diameter solar dish will light 1000 square feet inside -- minus the harmful UV rays -- rendering a more natural lighting feel, which can be hybridized with florescent and possibly LED lighting to provide a constant light level, though the tone changes with the level of light outside. The GPS-based sun-tracking mechanism uses very little energy. Now you can save electricity, cut on heat emissions by incandescent, and improve the feel of your work environment. Beta testing began in June. Product expected in the market in 2007."

no

[fmobus]

we don't need light in our basements!! FP?

Re:Filter the UV rays

[shobadobs]

RTFS!

God. Why does stupidity exponentiate when people desire to get an early post on a story?

Freakin Laser Beams

[maxrate]

Blast a thinkgeek laser beam in reverse from your cubicle fiber port and wake up some alien race.

During the cold war...

[Rhinobird]

During the cold war there was much competition between American and Russian office productivity. The Americans spent millions delevoping a system to direct sunlight into buildings. It was awesome in its capabilities. The sun tracker used very little energy, the interior of the building was laced with miles of fiber optic cabling. All in all a wonder of modern engineering triumph.

When face with a similar problem, the Soviets used a "window".

This is not exactly news

[Anonymous Coward]

Here's an article from 1999, which notes:
"Sound like science fiction? It's not. One such product, the
Himawari, has been commercially available for nearly 15 years ..."

http://www.sun-tek.com/Docs/ArticleDaylighting.htm [sun-tek.com]

Slashdot: 20-year-old news for nerds. Sigh.

Re:Wow.

[$RANDOMLUSER]

> I saw a system like this on TV about 10 years ago
IIRC, it was invented by Wyle E. Coyote.

sun blocking machine

[RevengeOfPoopJuggler]

That's just more ransom money in my pocket when I complete my sun-blocking machine...

Re:Old News

[phoenix.bam!]

Recently put something cheaper in my house. It's just a regular window in the roof. we call it a skylight. well, isn't a regular window but it works just as well and is easier to install

Re:Very cool

[melikamp]

If we cover the Earth with enough quality fiber, we can probably channel sunlight 24/7 from the light to the dark side. I cannot imagine if that is ever going to become practical, but it sure sounds great for the environment.

Re:Very cool

[Radio Shack Robot]

I find your ideas intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Coober Pedy, AUSTL: 29s01, 134e43

[weighn]

sorry I couldn't see it on maps.google - probably due to the buildings all being underground :)

Here's a thought

[dtfinch]

Install some glass windows and skylights. More sunlight for a fraction of the price. Want to be able to turn it off? Just install some blinds.

Yeah... as if windows were out of fashion.

[Vo0k]

You know, using thermonuclear fusion to desalinize water in oceans and use it for watering agricultural terrains is pretty old too. It's called rain.

Re:Photonic Storage?

[Doc Ruby]

Fog defense shield. San Francisco and London are safe.

Re:no

[chiok]

I think you meant "we don't need light in our parents' basements!!" This is slashdot after all.

Re:Very cool

[Lars Clausen]

Wow! There goes my last reason not to go over to the Dark Side.

-Darth Lars

Re:During the cold war...

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, the good old USSR is doing great now, huh fuckwad?