PORTABLE LIGHT PROJECT - Portable Reading Stool Prototype


PORTABLE READING STOOL prototype Sheila Kennedy, Principal Investigator Saarinen Professor University of Michigan Frano Violich, Saarinen Professor, University of Michigan Keith VanDerSys, Lecturer, University of Michigan Erin Crowe, University of Michigan Santosh Kugunnavar, University of Michigan Cynthia Strawn, University of Michigan Chris Wilson, University of Michigan The PORTABLE READING STOOL prototype integrates photovoltaic energy harvesting capabilities in a collapsible folding stool with a textile tension structure and a tubular frame. Four hours of solar charge time provides two and a half hours of 80 lumens of white solid state lighting, bright enough to read and write with. The Reading Stool design builds off the tradition of personal stools made by the Huichol to provide comfort by keeping people off the cold ground. The stool is constructed of one continuous piece of fabric to minimize waste and folds into a 12” x 20” four pound backpack. During the day, the prototype absorbs energy from the sun and functions in the typical fashion of portable seating. At night the stool becomes a portable center for education. Reading Stools may be used by individuals or may be grouped together to form a community based school setting which provides users with high quality digital light suitable for reading, drawing and writing. Digital light within the textile surface can be positioned by the user to create hands free illumination of the work surface.
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PORTABLE READING STOOL prototype

Sheila Kennedy, Principal Investigator
Saarinen Professor University of Michigan
Frano Violich, Saarinen Professor, University of Michigan
Keith VanDerSys, Lecturer, University of Michigan
Erin Crowe, University of Michigan
Santosh Kugunnavar, University of Michigan
Cynthia Strawn, University of Michigan
Chris Wilson, University of Michigan

The PORTABLE READING STOOL prototype integrates photovoltaic energy harvesting capabilities in a collapsible folding stool with a textile tension structure and a tubular frame. Four hours of solar charge time provides two and a half hours of 80 lumens of white solid state lighting, bright enough to read and write with. The Reading Stool design builds off the tradition of personal stools made by the Huichol to provide comfort by keeping people off the cold ground. The stool is constructed of one continuous piece of fabric to minimize waste and folds into a 12” x 20” four pound backpack. During the day, the prototype absorbs energy from the sun and functions in the typical fashion of portable seating. At night the stool becomes a portable center for education. Reading Stools may be used by individuals or may be grouped together to form a community based school setting which provides users with high quality digital light suitable for reading, drawing and writing. Digital light within the textile surface can be positioned by the user to create hands free illumination of the work surface.