tobias trübenbacher develops 'IGNIS' to provide light and power in remote locations

tobias trübenbacher, a product design student at the university of the arts berlin, has designed ‘IGNIS’ – a tool that uses the heat of flames, transforms it into electricity and stores it to provide light and power whenever and wherever it is needed. currently, nearly two billion people worldwide have no access to modern energy services, and more than half of them live completely without electricity. with this in mind, trübenbacher has developed this project to generate power in remote locations, or in situations after natural disasters and crises when means to electricity is vital. 

placed on a stove, IGNIS produces electricity while cooking or heating and stores the generated energy

images courtesy of tobias trübenbacher

the IGNIS can simply be placed on a hot stove while cooking or heating, or, in situations without ovens, it can also produce heat by burning ordinary household liquids like spirits, oil or even used frying fat. the project developed by trübenbacher is not only a portable lantern, but also a power generator producing it’s own electricity and offering entirely new opportunities and benefits. it provides a solution of how people all around the world can gain access to electric power and light in a sustainable and self-sufficient way. since there is often no relying on constant sunshine and stable weather conditions for solar energy, this product functions completely independently from external factors. all you need to use the IGNIS is just some small quantities of burnable liquid or a fire.

in places without an oven, IGNIS can also generate light and energy with the heat of two flames

typologically IGNIS is still a traditional lantern but with integrated new technology that offers completely new opportunities

the electric light compared with the candle light that produces enough heat for charging IGNIS

in case of a blackout, IGNIS can produce flames with various ordinary household liquids like spirits, oil or even used frying fat

the product has a standard USB-output for charging all kinds of electronic devices 

the color emphasizes the handle in order to visualize where to touch and move the object, while the cables are highlighted making it obvious where the electricity is coming from

due to a hidden rotating joint, the light can be directed in any direction

arrangement of the different construction elements of IGNIS before assembly

details of the inner technical workings of the top cover and the thermoelectric technology and heat-insulating materials that are integrated in the base of IGNIS

sketches of the design process

project info:

project name: ‘IGNIS’

design: tobias trübenbacher

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom