After experiencing the 2011 earthquake in Japan, two architecture students from Chicago – Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stork – designed a solar powered inflatable light to be used in and after such natural disasters. It’s called LuminAID. After charging the light in direct sun for seven hours, the inflatable light can provide up to 16 hours of LED light. It comes with two settings (low and high), and it floats. LuminAIDs have been used by first responders in Haiti, the Philippines, Kashmir, and in over 40 countries for humanitarian or emergency aid.
LuminAID is now “extending the technology to new shapes and performance parameters for different applications.” While originally designed for disaster relief aid, LuminAIDs can also be used for recreational use like camping. They’re sold ($19.95 each) at Luminaid.com, Amazon
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