#iyl2015

[anaisrassat]

IYL2015 The Closing Ceremony, Switzerland

On December 5, EPFL hosted an event to promote the progress and promise of light technologies and research. The program marked the Closing Ceremony of the International Year of Light in Switzerland and featured the latest in photonics as well as leading scientists to promote improved public understanding of the central role of light in the modern world. This celebration brought together bright minds from Google X, Bell Labs, Intel, Philips, Heptagon, UNESCO, Solar Impulse or IBM Research among other, as well as an ESA astronaut and a Nobel Laureate, to foster learning, inspiration and wonder. A laser show and performances punctuated the ceremony specially hosted by The Catalyst's creative scientists. Didn’t miss the surprise visible from space that day? The International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL 2015;www.light2015.org) is a global initiative adopted by the United Nations to raise awareness of how optical technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to worldwide challenges in energy, education, agriculture, communications and health.

Excellent closing ceremony of the International Year of Light, organised at EPFL in December 2015, and where I was keynote speaker. 

[iylshowcase]

IYL Featured Artist   I   Isabella Stahl

A recent interview with Photo Art Magazine.

Isabella’s work is on show for one more day at Menier Gallery, London as part of the Life Framer Photography Award.

Find her work here.

[gavriilux]

New @lightdesint Christmas video is out! #iyl2015 #Christmas #animation #lightingdesign #homealone #xmas (at Lighting Design International)

[littlelumen]

Oh hey beauty 💛 #light #flos #iyl2015

[interioresinsitu-blog]

[yvonnechoo]

Light for Life @ The Great North Museum Hancock

In conjunction with the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015), Great North Museum Hancock and Newcastle University's School of Chemistry jointly organised "Light for Life"; a public/outreach event aimed to showcase the science behind natural photosynthesis and plants-inspired technologies.

The exhibition brought together researchers from the School of Chemistry and members of the public through a series of hands-on activities ranging from chlorophyll extraction to water splitting (with pencils).

The following pictures were taken on day two of the event :)

The Chlorophyll Extraction Station

(participants were required to put on lab coats, gloves and lab googles throughout the experiment)

They will have to (1) grind the spinach leaves into bits with a pestle and mortar, (2) add acetone and extract the chlorophyll in a small container and (3) collect the filtrate. With the help of a hand held UV torch, the fluorescence of the extracted chlorophyll was explained.

The Paper Model Station

At this station, participants were given the chance to choose between a nuclear power plant, a solar-powered house or a wind turbine to build. Here are some of their lovely creations.

Each of their paper models represent a source of energy with the nuclear power plant giving the most energy output, followed by the wind turbine and finally the solar-powered house. Members of the public were encouraged to discuss about their views on topic.

The Water Splitting Station

Similar to the chlorophyll extraction station, participants were required to put on proper PPE throughout the experiment. They had to set up small electrolysis cells with sharpened pencils as electrodes. The concept water splitting for artificial photosynthesis was introduced.

Solar Cells Station

Flexible solar cells were on display at this station together with the components that made up a solar cell (e.g. dyes, titanium oxide, etc).

Overall, the event turned out to be very positive. I enjoyed my time spent in this outreach event :) Looking forward to the next one!

[littlelumen]

Incidental rainbow 🌈 #daylight #rainbow #colour #light #mirror #iyl2015 #nofilter

[hirshhorn]

Call me on my cell phone! "Hotline Bling”

Carlos Cruz-Diez, "Chromosaturation," 1965, refabricated 2010. From the 2012 exhibition “Suprasensorial: Experiments in Light, Color and Space,” hat tip to Aaron Myers (@aaronemyers on Twitter) for the connection!