Idea for extended version of "Sun Jar"
After seeing the recent Sun Jar I'ble, I had an idea (not even concrete enought to be a Completable) for an interestingly extended version. There now exist LEDs for infrared, visible red, green, and blue, and near UV.
It should be possible, with a mix of small low-voltage constant-current power supplies and pulse modulators, to construct a multiple-LED light source which roughly models what we perceive as the solar "spectrum." I don't mean formally reproducing the raw wavelength distribution, but rather the combination of intensities we see (or measure with a thermometer) in a prism- or grating-spread spectral display.
Coupling such a circuit to a solar cell would allow you to build a "Sun Jar" which "collects sunlight" during the day and "releases sunlight" at night. As I said, just an idea...
Discussions
11 years ago
Spookily synchronicitously*, while you were typing this, I was in Ikea, buying a frosted-glass jar, just to make a sun-jar as a Christmas gift. The lid is metallic around the edges, but has a window in the top.
The 0.9 litre version.
*The reason I said "spookily synchronicitously" is because it's quite pleasant** to imagine people all over the planet trying to say that phrase without spitting crumbs all over their monitors...
**Schadenfreud
Reply 11 years ago
Wow, footnotes within footnotes! You must have been an English major (perhaps the very model of a modern English major?) at University...
Reply 11 years ago
They don't come any more English than Kiteman.
When they made Kiteman, they broke the mold...
Reply 11 years ago
"When they made Kiteman, they broke the mold..."
After, or before? ;->
Reply 11 years ago
Haha! I think during the process! That's why he's a bit "cracked"...
Reply 11 years ago
Gives all assembled the look, generally reserved for reducing the recalcitrant to the repentant.
Reply 11 years ago
>smirks< Didn't work on me...
Reply 11 years ago
Resorts to a sharp poke in the ribs.
Reply 11 years ago
Has on poke-proof vest
Reply 11 years ago
But my fingers are hardened by years of poking small, obstreperous children.
Digits of steel.
Reply 11 years ago
Like this?
Reply 11 years ago
Ah, the joy of google... ;-)
Reply 11 years ago
Heehee...
Reply 11 years ago
. And rumor has it that they executed the mold-maker. :)
Reply 11 years ago
AHAHAHA!
Reply 11 years ago
Just a Pratchett fan...
11 years ago
umm.. it's best that you get a blue, green, red, and uv led, all the same lumens (ir is kind of pointless)
Reply 11 years ago
It depends what you make the jar of - most normal glass is opaque to IR, which makes you correct, but some materials are transparent to IR.
11 years ago
LoL at you completable reference.
11 years ago
. Wow! I typed Solar spectral simulation with LEDs into Google and it came up with some interesting stuff that should help. I really didn't expect it to work so well. I <heart> Google.