Carnivorous Lampshade Robot Runs On Flies It Catches

Here's a weird take on renewable energy -- do you have pests? Specifically, houseflies?

Then you might be interested in this "carnivorous lamp," which appears to be designed to catch flies, feed on them and use energy generated through that to power LEDs.

Only problem is it looks like a tiny disco ball or something.

Flies and moths are naturally attracted to light. This lamp shade has holes based on the form of the pitcher plant enabling access for the insects but no escape. Eventually they expire and fall into the microbial fuel cell underneath. This generates the electricity to power a series of LEDs located at the bottom of the shade. These are activated when the house lights are turned off.

Comments

[ddanimal]

Scientific gimmickry.

This thing is pointless.

[DrLegacy]

do not want .. how, er, sanitary is this device going to be? what's going to keep it from smelling pretty bad after the first few dozen houseflies?

[sfgrl]

This isn't all that green. Fortunately it would only run sporadically once local equilibrium had been reached, so wouldn't be universally appealing. Maybe in Africa, I'll buy that.

Does anyone know whether the bees have come back yet? Just checking.

[RiceStarz]

I don't get this article. Yes it is a brilliant idea. However there is no detailed info as to what stage of development it is in, who manufactures it, nor how much it would cost. Not to mention where to purchase one. I wonder if it is made up to fill space. At best, it may only be an idea or prototype. Who would not want to be known for designing such? I rarely stray from the politics pages, and I have never been to this section. Are the articles here always so thin?

[snesich]

Brilliant. There are literally thousands of good, practical working solutions out there, that fall under the "Green Jobs" rubric. This is just one example of where government should be funding the "green future". Let's get going on this and more like it!

[cwhig1848]

Deeply not good.

[C0Y0TE2]

you mean, when the machines take over, they will hunt us for food?

[patnb]

great. where can i buy one?

[SOLERSO68]

I WANT ONE!!!!

[redkittyred]

This is way too Matrix-bod­y-fuel-cel­l-creepy..­.

[ForObamaInDallas]

LOL! Yep.

PS: I Have a tattoo on my back like Neo's plug from The Matrix. hehe

[jrevere]

I heard it won't work on Reps... causes the lamp heartburn.

[southwindow]

I love it

[pmaddams]

Dear God...is anyone else imagining a robot soldier powered by its fallen enemies?

[jcause28]

eek!!!

[Blueline]

I am now.....

[lmvd3]

Wow. That's about all I've got on this.

[RegularEinstein]

HELP ME!!! HELLLLLLLLP ME!!!

[Tulka2]

This is a robot Venus flytrap. Anyone else see "Little Shop of Horrors"? This stuff writes itself.

[sector1463]

The one with Jack Nicholson?

[karen-nc]

No, with Rick Moranis if I recall correctly...