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Monday, 15 July 2019

Could bacteria from the sea reduce light pollution and energy consumption? This French startup is banking on it

Could bacteria from the sea reduce light pollution and energy consumption? This French startup is banking on it. Fireflies, glow-worms, and 80% of marine organisms all have the ability to produce light. Now, French startup Glowee seeks to harness this bioluminescence to change the way we light our environment, as shown in this Bloomberg video (watch, runtime: 05:44). The process involves experimenting with different variables — including temperature, feeding, how oxygen is administered, and the type of water the bacteria is kept in — to find a sustainable and cost-effective way to breed the bacteria in large quantities.

The ultimate goal? To completely transform our urban lighting systems, replacing harsh LED light with an unlimited and natural source that will help us reduce environmental waste and, they say, enhance our own feelings of well-being.

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