The Sun Sentinel
A Sun Tracking Lamp
"The Sun Sentinel" is an "intelligent" lamp that glows brightest when the sky is most dark and lights a series of panels based on the sun's position. Consisting of four panels - representing North, South, East and West - on which the sunlight is represented, the amount of light produced by the cold cathode tubes on the panel is inverse to the light produced by the sun outside. Which panel is illuminated is determined by the time.
As the sun races across the sky, the light will rotate from one panel to the next (east to west). If more light is desired at any time a flourescnt light bulb can be turned on by a hanging switch.
"The Sun Sentinel" is meant to provide a sense of the sun's being and location while indoors. I hope it is especially poignant for those in urban areas whose aparments may not receive much sunlight. Artistically, "The Sun Sentinel" attempts to acheieve an effect of old world craftsmanship with new world parts in its use of wood, microcontroller, cold cathode tubes, wireless interactivity via xbee radios.
Using a photocell and a zigbee enabled clock (via Rob Faludi), "The Sun Sentinel" consists of four panels, 4 cold cathode tubes, and an Arduino board with an xbee radio.
Final materials for "The Sun Sentinel" include:
- wood
- plexi
- microcontroller (Arduino)
- cold cathode tubes
- 12V and 5V power supply
- "accordian" arms
Special thanks to Anna Plunkett for help in construction, Jaymes Dec for installation and Mr. and Mrs. Sathe for financial support.
