Liters of Light: Engineering a New Soda Bottle Solar Light

Rachel Maillet
Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science

Abstract

Modifications were designed for a standard soda bottle solar light constructed with a 2
liter soda bottle, water, and bleach. When inserted through the roof of a structure, the device
generated approximately 50-60 watts of omnidirectional light. A total of 8 different prototypes
were designed and tested using a 100 watt full spectrum bulb to simulate the light of the Sun. A
Vernier light sensor was used to determine the amount of lux that each of the prototypes
transmitted. Design C, the combination of 4 smaller plastic bottles that had the same volume as
1 large plastic bottle, and Design H, the combination of 4 smaller plastic bottles with a
surrounding hood covered in aluminum foil, further reflected the light than the design recently
developed. Standard soda bottle solar lights are currently being used in Manila, the Philippines
and other countries. The modified designs that were engineered can be used to improve the
amount of indoor lighting for households in these developing countries, fulfilling the social and
economical needs.
Introduction

A growing problem with access and affordability of indoor lighting in developing

countries has led to the renewed interest in studies of solar lights. The access to electricity for
indoor lighting in developing countries is very important for growth, both socially and
economically. From 1971 to 2005, the percentage of houses connected to the grid electricity in
Bangladesh only increased from 3% to 33%. In 2002, only 50% of the rural communities in
South Africa had access to electricity while 80% of urban communities had access (Alam et al.,
2011). Over 3 million households surrounding Manila, in the Philippines, are currently without
generated power. Many urban areas have access to electricity, while rural areas do not. Also,
the accessed electricity must be affordable, or it is of no use. With solar lights, the cost is not
important since there are no expenses for electricity. Regression in the area of electricity for
rural communities has created a surge in solar lights (Agarwal, Barnes, & Cabraal, 2005).

Figure 1. Housing of the poor in the Philippines. Houses like the ones in
the Philippines and those all over the world in developing countries would
certainly benefit from indoor lighting (“ACIM – Asia”, n.d).
 The availability of light enhances the opportunities for a better education, a healthier life-
style, and an extended amount of leisure time. Members of My Shelter Foundation and students
of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a device to aid in the need for easily
accessed and affordable indoor lighting. They produced a soda bottle solar light that reflects
light to as much as 50 or 60 watts made from a 2 liter, clear, plastic soda bottle filled with water
and bleach. When inserted through the roof of a house, with approximately 1/3 of the soda bottle
outside and 2/3 of the soda bottle inside, the device manipulates the ultraviolet rays of the sun,
resulting in an omnidirectional light source. Throughout the Philippines, soda bottle solar lights
are being used by people who are not able to access or afford electricity for indoor lighting.
There are national development programs that have been working on increasing the accessibility
of electricity to other areas. Although this may seem promising, the use of soda bottle solar
lights will dramatically affect the lives of families who live each day without lighting and who
are struggling to provide for their families (Alam et al., 2011).

Literature Review

Figure 2. A soda bottle solar light. This low tech light bulb is reflecting the
sun’s light into homes in Manila, the Philippines. Modified soda bottle solar
lights will be created based on this design that will work as a control (“Digital
Manufacturing Report”, n.d).

The Physics and Properties of Light

Knowledge of omnidirectional light has become essential to the construction of solar

lights created by the students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The primary
properties of visible light are intensity, propagation of light (or the direction of the light), the
frequency or wavelength spectrum, and polarization (the property of certain types of waves that
describes the orientation of their oscillators, or the repetitive variation of a measure about a
central value). Light is emitted and absorbed in photons and can be measured in lux. There are
many different sources of light, but the most common source is thermal light. Maxwell’s
equations state that light exerts pressure on objects that are in its path.
 Ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun have shorter wavelengths than those of visible light.
This type of light can be both harmful and beneficial. Used to attain vitamin D and utilized
when treating certain skin conditions, UV light is beneficial, but when exposed to this light for
too long, skin poisoning and inflammation or a common sun burn are harmful effects. Time has
progressed; new discoveries and interests have been made in the study of ultraviolet rays,
electromagnetic radiation and their effects. It is difficult to perform photochemical tests because
of the numerous variables that can affect a photochemical reaction. Because of this, researchers
and scientists believe that there are several different ways to interpret data (Noyes, 1941).

The Tyndall Effect

Several recent studies of the Tyndall effect have focused on increasing the amount of
scattered light through quartz crystals and silver chloride colloidal solutions. Particles that have
the ability to reflect light are held in a suspension because of their size. In 2009, Gallop and
Sizer performed an experiment regarding the reflection of light with a quartz crystal because the
Tyndall effect can be seen in approximately one percent of all optical crystals with hard, polished
surfaces. When displaying the Tyndall effect through crystals, it is best to use a clear and
colorless crystal; although the results can be related to the coloring, there are several cases where
clear crystalline solids were used. Because it can be rather challenging to find these types of
solids, this experiment was performed with colored crystals. The quartz crystal, which was high
in purity, was polished like an optical crystal. The scattering of light generated from the quartz
crystal was compared to a previous experiment with a colloidal silica solution to prove that there
is a different ratio for the light reflected. The results were then declared as a standard used for
the scattering of light (Gallop & Sizer, 2009).
A colloid is defined as a state of matter that has a large surface area in comparison to its
unit volume. Colloids can be any forms of matter, either a solid, liquid, or gas. Colloidal
particles are approximately less than 1 micrometer and approximately greater than 1 nanometer.
Generally speaking, a colloid contains dispersed matter in a specific medium. Microscopes or
other magnifying devices must be used in order to see colloids. Because they are so minute,
colloids cannot be separated from either a liquid or a gas. The turbidity (opaque coloring) in fog,
milk, and muddy water is caused from the colloids because they scatter light very strongly. The
Tyndall effect, the scattering of light from colloidal solutions, can be used for the observation of
small particles in the ultramicroscope (Matijević, 2008).
In 1997, Russian chemists Ershov, Gordeev, Mikhalko, and Sukhov conducted an
experiment to find the amount of silver particles absorbed in an aqueous solution. Their
experimental report begins with defining the Mie theory. This theory describes the absorption
and scattering of light by metallic particles. The particles used were shaped like spheres, had
radii that were smaller than the wavelengths of light, and had a large distance between each
other. This experimentation was also tested using gelatin, which is commonly used to
demonstrate the Tyndall effect (Ershov, Gordeev, Mikhalko, & Sukhov, 1997).
Several members of the Chemistry Department of the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn
and Brooklyn College experimented with the silver ions and chloride ions in the formation of
silver chloride. This formation can be described as a reaction containing 2 ionic components that
usually combine at a rapid pace, or happening instantaneously. The first process in producing
silver chloride units is the combination of the solution containing silver ions and the solution
containing chloride ions. These silver chloride units can be called monomer units, atoms or
small molecules that can be combined together to form polymer units. Throughout this process,
the ions of both solutions are surrounded by solvent molecules which have to be altered. The
next process, which is even slower than the first, occurs when the monomers become excited to
form polymers. Because polymers are large than monomers in size, these new particles interfere
with the spread of light (Ginell, A., Ginell, R., & Spoerri, 1946). If a colloidal solution were to
be added to the water and bleach in a soda bottle, the light may be scattered, yielding a more
omnidirectional light source.

Figure 3. The Tyndall effect. Here, it is demonstrated

with a laser pointer and two different liquids. The
glass on the left contains water and a colloidal silver
solution, while the glass on the left contains tap water
(“Silver Lightning Tonic Water”, n.d).

Materials and Methods of Building Process

These solar lights must be made from recycled materials that can easily be reproduced for
thousands of households throughout developing countries. Clear, plastic soda bottles of different
sizes are the most important aspect of this device. Water (of any purity) is also very important
because it is the component that reflects the light, making it omnidirectional. For all of the
different prototypes created, a small amount of bleach (approximately 15 grams) is required to
keep the water inside of the soda bottle clear and free of algae. Each prototype has a different set
of materials, except each set will consist of water, bleach, and a soda bottle (of any size).

Colloidal Materials

One of the prototypes contains a colloidal solution. This solution, which will act as a
suspension, can be produced from several different materials. One of the 3 algal polysaccharides
(made from carbohydrate molecules), alginate can be found in the cell walls of brown algae.
Unlike the other two algal polysaccharides, alginate is formed with the addition of calcium ions,
not through cooling the substance unlike the other 2 algal polysaccharides. As for its design,
alginate is a linear polymer. Alginate can most commonly be found in rockweed and kelp of the
North Atlantic and North Pacific shores. Although this polymer is a gel-like substance, it
becomes purified and chemically processed in the form of powder (sodium, potassium, or
ammonium). Aside from being in various different foods, alginate is used in textiles, paper,
printing, cosmetics, paint, and pharmaceutical companies. The most common food with alginate
is ice cream. The polymer is able to create a smooth dairy product that does not contain minute
ice crystals. In paint, the alginate functions as a suspension in order to reduce brush marks
(Richard & Silva, 2008).
Agar can be found in the cell walls of red algae and is another one of the 3 algal
polysaccharides. Although agar is not soluble in cold water, it is able to absorb water until it is
20 times its weight. Agar will become a gel when dissolved in boiling water and immediately
cooled. Agar gel can be made from boiling the algae in hot water and then cooling it. The gel
will then be translucent. In this form, agar can be packaged in flakes, bricks, or sheets. Unlike
alginate, this algal polysaccharide can be found in laxatives, medicinal drugs, and confections
(Richard & Silva, 2008).
Carrageenan can also be found in the cell walls of red algae and is another one of the 3
algal polysaccharides. Like the other algal polysaccharides, carrageenan has suspending and gel-
like properties. It can be found in various different plant species and even in different places of
the same plant species. Carrageenan is prepared when the dried algae is boiled in alkaline water
and later filtered and poured into isopropyl alcohol. It is then able to be packaged as a powder.
Carrageenan is primarily used in the food processes of dairy products. Like alginate, it is also
used in cosmetics, textiles, and pharmaceutical companies (Richard & Silva, 2008).
Small particles with a high reflective index that are charged will best demonstrate the
Tyndall effect. These particles will have to be fully dispersed in water and will have little
dispersion. They will not be very turbid and the reflected light will be very bright (Egon
Matijević, personal communication, December 4, 2011).

The Device and Its Potential Use in Developing Countries

The most productive use of energy is currently changing; it is no longer motive power.
The increase of lighting in rural areas also increases the productivity of people and income, as
well as the education levels. This supports the use of productive energy because education can
be considered productive. An improvement in health may also be a result of the availability of
these energy services. The Global Environment Facility and the Food and Agricultural
Organization defined a productive use of energy as “one that involves the application of energy
derived mainly from renewable resources to create goods and/or services either directly or
indirectly for the production of income or value” (Agarwal, Barnes, & Cabraal, 2005).
Connecting various regions to a grid is not simple, and usually the level of these connections is
very low.
Once houses have connected to the grid they must be able to pay for the electricity that
they will be using. This may not be possible. Increasing the affordability and accessibility of
electricity for Bangladesh, South Africa, and Brazil has increased the development of the
economy as well. This energy is necessary to the development of these countries (Alam et al.,
2011).
The use of these soda bottle solar lights in developing countries will greatly improve the
lives of struggling families. Not only will these devices provide an accessible light source, but
they will definitely be affordable.
 Engineering Proposal

There is an ongoing need for indoor lighting in developing countries. The access and
affordability of indoor lighting in developing countries, such as the Philippines and Libya, must
increase in order to meet the educational and medical needs. The availability of electricity in
rural communities is very rare, and the affordability becomes even rarer.
The goal is to design a modified soda bottle solar light that will transmit a greater amount
of reflected sunlight than designs recently developed and currently in use.
Several different variables will be used in the process of engineering the modified soda
bottle solar light. These variables are different sizes of soda bottles, a structure of soda bottles
with the same volume as one larger soda bottle (same volume, different array), the addition of a
colloidal solution that creates a suspension, the use of a reflective hood surrounding the light
bulb, and the use of a hanging reflective object inside of the light bulb. After testing each
individual variable, a combination of these variables will be tested for any further improvement.
A light sensor (measured in lux), various sized soda bottles (clear, plastic), water, bleach,
scissors/box cutters (power tools such as drills may be used to assemble an alternative structure
if a large box is not used) , colloidal solution that acts as a suspension and reflects light (made
from some kind of alginate), large cardboard box (or a makeshift, wooden structure with black
fabric and different sized holders for the soda bottles), strong glue, a full spectrum light bulb, and
other materials for newly developed designs will be needed for this experiment.
Building this device will be fairly simple because of the size of the actual solar light and
the materials that will be used. The most difficult part will be producing the colloidal solution.
If a large cardboard box is not used as a small makeshift house where the soda bottle solar lights
can be inserted through the top of the box, than an outline of a small house will have to be built
using wooden beams. It is very important to make sure there is no direct light from the full
spectrum light bulb shining into the structure. A small cover will also have to be built that the
soda bottle can be inserted into. In this experiment, the water will be acting as the lens and
creating an omnidirectional light from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The bleach will be
preventing the water in the soda bottle from becoming contaminated with algae. With the
combination of these simple materials, a modified soda bottle solar light will be used for indoor
lighting for houses in developing countries.
The amount of light (in lux) amplified from the ultraviolet light bulb through the soda
bottles will be collected with a light sensor. There will be quantifiable data that will be
transposed into various graphs and charts.
The engineered design must amplify more light than the already applied and designed
soda bottle solar lights. It must be affordable and reproducible for rural communities in
developing countries.
The testing will be done with a full spectrum light bulb and a light sensor that measures
in lux. Testing will also be done with adult supervision.
The amount of light (in lux) amplified from the ultraviolet light bulb through the soda
bottles will be collected with a light sensor. There will be quantifiable data that will be
transposed into various graphs and charts.
 Methodology

Nine soda bottles (clear, plastic, four 2 L bottles, one 1 L bottle, four 0.5 L bottles) were
cleaned with cold water. The outsides of the bottles were wiped and dried with a paper towel.
Each soda bottle was sterilized with approximately 15 grams of bleach (Ultra Bleach Fresh Rain,
Market Basket brand). They were set aside.
A large cardboard box was obtained. The diameter of each of the bottles was measured
with a standard tape measure. The measurement in centimeters for each soda bottle was
recorded. Circles were drawn with a standard pen with the diameters of each of the bottles on a
piece of cardboard from the cardboard box, approximately 38 centimeters apart. The circles
were cut out from the piece of cardboard with a standard pair of scissors. A rectangle,
approximately 42 centimeters by 15 centimeters, was then cut out around the previously cut out
circle with a standard pair of scissors. Design C requires the drawing and cutting out of a square
instead of a circle because 4 smaller bottles (0.5 liters each) are combined to create a square.
The length of each side of the figure was measured with a standard tape measure and a square
was drawn with the lengths instead of a circle. The square was cut out with a standard pair of
scissors, then a rectangle was cut out, approximately 42 centimeters by 15 centimeters, around
the previously cut out square with a standard pair of scissors. The bottles were inserted into their
cardboard holders so that approximately 1/3 of the bottles were seen above the holder and then
secured with hot glue (All Purpose Stik, Mini Glue Sticks, Surebonder brand) where the bottle
met the cardboard. Smaller pieces of cardboard were attached over the small holes of the square
structure of Design C with hot glue (All Purpose Stik, Mini Glue Sticks, Surebonder brand).
They were then set aside.
Another large cardboard box was obtained; approximately 48 centimeters by 97
centimeters by 81 centimeters. A square was cut in the middle of the top of the cardboard box
with the same measurements of the square cut-out from the cardboard holder with a standard pair
of scissors. All of the bottles secured in their holders should fit into this hole. Using tape (clear,
Tape It), the cardboard box was strengthened by taping all of the sides and possible holes or
scratches. It was not necessary to secure the bottom flaps of the cardboard box.
A small hole, approximately 3 centimeters in diameter, was cut out with a standard pair of
scissors in the middle of the bottom of one side of the box, approximately 15 centimeters from
the bottom of the box. The middle of the bottom of the box should coincide with the middle of
the square cut-out on the top of the box. The light sensor (Vernier Software & Technology,
range: 0-6,000, 0-600, and 0-150,000) was inserted through the hole so that only the tip of the
light sensor was inside of the box. The light sensor outside of the cardboard box and the box
itself made an angle of approximately 6 degrees. The light sensor was secured to the box with
tape and small pieces of cardboard, approximately 18 centimeters by 3 centimeters.
The bottles of Design A, B, C, and F were filled with water to about the top of the bottle.
The bottle of Design E was filled with water, but with a smaller amount of water than previously
mentioned. A standard tablespoon measuring device was sterilized with 15 grams of bleach
(Ultra Bleach Fresh Rain, Market Basket brand). The bottles of Design A, E, and F were filled
with 15 grams of bleach (Ultra Bleach Fresh Rain, Market Basket brand). The bottle of Design
B with 7.5 was filled grams of bleach (Ultra Bleach Fresh Rain, Market Basket brand). The
bottles of Design C were filled with 3.75 grams of bleach (Ultra Bleach Fresh Rain, Market
Basket brand). All of the bottles were capped tightly.
 One standard cooking pot and 1 standard metallic spoon were sterilized with
approximately 30 grams of bleach (Ultra Bleach Fresh Rain, Market Basket brand). The bottle
of Design B was filled with water to about the top of the bottle. The water was poured into the
sterilized pot. Approximately 150 grams of cornstarch (100% Corn Starch, Market Basket
brand) was added to the water in the pot. The contents in the pot were mixed with the sterilized
metallic spoon. The pot was put on a standard stove on medium heat. The mixture was brought
to a boil and continued to cook until the mixture became a thick, gel-like, clear, white, opaque
colored substance. The pot was removed from the stove to cool. A standard pair of laboratory
goggles was obtained. The goggles were applied to the face. A balance scale (Cent-O-Gram
Balance, Ohaus) was used to measure 10 grams of aluminum powder (Aluminum Powder, Flinn
Scientific Inc.). The aluminum powder was mixed into the water-cornstarch mixture. A
standard funnel was sterilized with approximately 15 grams of bleach (Ultra Bleach Fresh Rain,
Market Basket brand). The funnel was positioned into the bottle. Once cooled, the water-
cornstarch-aluminum powder mixture was poured through the funnel and into the bottle. The
bottle was capped tightly.
A large cardboard box was obtained. A rectangle, approximately 48 centimeters by 60
centimeters, was cut with a standard pair of scissors. A circle was drawn with a standard pen
with the diameter of the bottle of Design F in the middle of the cardboard rectangle. The circle
was cut out from the piece of cardboard with a standard pair of scissors. Four lines were then cut
from each corner of the rectangle to approximately 2.5 centimeters from the center circle. Each
piece was then folded up towards the center circle at an approximate 45 degree angle. The 4
pieces were secured together with hot glue (All Purpose Stik, Mini Glue Sticks, Surebonder
brand). The entire inside surface area was covered with the more metallic side of aluminum foil
(Aluminum Foil, Reynolds Wrap). Hot glue (All Purpose Stik, Mini Glue Sticks, Surebonder
brand) was used to secure in place.
A weighted object was obtained to be inserted into the bottle of Design E. This object
was covered in aluminum foil (Aluminum Foil, Reynolds Wrap) with the more metallic side on
the outside. A piece of strong, non-degradable kitchen twine (Kitchen Twine, Hannaford brand)
was cut into a piece, approximately 20 centimeters, with a standard pair of scissors. A standard
nail and hammer was used to make a small hole through the cap of the bottle of Design E. One
end of the piece of kitchen twine was threaded through the hole. The end of the kitchen twine
inside of the bottle cap was secured to the aluminum foil structure. The cap with the attached
aluminum structure was attached to the bottle. The other end of the kitchen twine was threaded
around the neck of the bottle and secured with a tie. Hot glue (All Purpose Stik, Mini Glue
Sticks, Surebonder brand) was used to cover the small hole in the cap.
The large cardboard box with the attached light sensor was moved to a secluded, dark
area. The light sensor was connected to a go link (Go! Link, Vernier, FCC Standards). The go
link was then connected into a USB port of a computer or lap top. The program Logger Pro was
acessed. The light sensor (Vernier Software & Technology, range: 0-6,000, 0-600, and 0-
150,000) was turned to the range 0-600.
A 100 watt full spectrum light bulb (100 W Standard Bulb, Full Spectrum, Earthmate)
was inserted into a standard flood lamp fixture. The fixture was suspended approximately 91
centimeters directly above the cut out square in the middle of the top of the box. The light bulb
structure was plugged into the nearest outlet.
All of the lights in the area or in surrounding areas were turned off. The light bulb
fixture was turned on. The amount of lux indicated on the Logger Pro program was recorded.
Each design was inserted into the hole in the large cardboard box. The aforementioned
instructions were performed for each design. Set aside all designs and record observations that
changed periodically.
Several more tests were performed for the comparison of data and the improvement of
the designs. The improved designs required additional amounts of certain materials. The
combination of designs required additional amounts of certain materials as well. The
preparation, construction, and testing of each new design prototype was performed in the same
manner as the previously mentioned designs. These new prototypes were renamed.

Results

Figure 4. Design prototypes. The 8 design prototypes were constructed based on previous designs and
the average amount of light reflected in lux for each design. The prototypes range from Design A to
Design H. Each of these designs was tested 5 different times with exception to Design F because of the
discoloration of the aluminum foil submerged in the water.
 Table 1. Amount of light amplified from a 100 watt full spectrum light bulb simulating the sun
for each of the 8 designs; the amount of light reflected from each design was measured and
recorded 5 times using 5 different light bulbs.
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5
Light Light Light Light Light LightAvg
(lux) (lux) (lux) (lux) (lux) (lux)
Control 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.16
Design A 1.8 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.6 0.68
Design B 1.3 1.2 0.7 0.3 0.9 0.88
Design C 4.7 4.1 4.4 1.1 3.1 3.48
Design D 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.12
Design E 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.10
Design F 0.9 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Design G 5.7 2.4 0.6 1.6 2.9 2.64
Design H 3.4 4.0 4.9 4.1 4.7 4.22

4.5
4.0
Amplified Light, lux

3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Control A B C D E F G H
Designs

Figure 5. Average lux produced. Amount of average amplified light using a 100 Watt full spectrum
light bulb simulating the sun for each of the 8 designs. Design F does not have an average amount of
lux generated because the testing for that design was cancelled after the discoloration of the aluminum
foil submerged in the water.
Table 2. Design Matrix that shows the maximum score for each of the 8 designs; these maximum scores show that Design C is the most
effective and efficient design prototype.
Max Design Design Design Design Design Design Design Design
Criteria Score A B C D E F G H

1. Affordable (materials) 10 9 9 9 5 5 7 7 7

2. Reproducible 10 10 10 9 9 9 9 9 8

3. High wattage/lux produced 10 6 7 9 5 4 0 8 10

4. Durable design 10 10 10 9 9 9 9 7 5

5. Visually appealing 5 5 5 5 3 3 3 5 5
6. Sufficient amount of light
produced 7 3 4 6 2 1 0 5 7

43 45 47 33 31 28 41 42

Data Analysis and Discussion

After constructing 7 new prototype designs and measuring the amount of light reflected
from a 100 watt full spectrum light bulb, each of these designs, as well as the original design
known as Design A, were scored based on a set of criteria that was previously determined.
There are 3 designs that have further amplified the light than the pre-existing design that is being
used in several developing countries. The goal was to design a modified soda bottle solar light
that would improve ambient sunlight than designs recently developed. This goal was achieved.
A design matrix was produced to determine the most effective and efficient design. A list
of criteria and a maximum score was also produced to score each of the designs constructed.
The affordability of materials is an important aspect for this project because these soda bottle
solar lights have to be used in developing countries for hundreds of households. Designs A, B,
and C received scores of a 9 out of 10 because of the small amount of bleach. Designs F, G, and
H received scores of a 7 out of 10 because of the small amount of bleach and aluminum foil.
Designs D and E received scores of a 5 out of 10 because of the use of bleach, cornstarch, and
aluminum powder. The reproducibility of a design prototype was scored based on how detailed
and complicated the construction of the design was. The highest score for the lux produced and
whether or not this amount was sufficient was given to the design that produced the most amount
of lux. The scores decreased by 1 for each next design that generated a smaller amount of lux.
The durability of the designs was based on how stable and intricate these designs were. The
visually appealing aspect of the design matrix was not as important to the overall scoring as the
other criteria. The designs were scored simply on the way that they looked when completed in
comparison to each other.
The design matrix shows that Design C is the most effective and efficient design
constructed and tested. Despite the score, this design did not produce the highest wattage of
light. Design H, the combination of Design C and Design G, reflected the most light. However,
this prototype was not as affordable, reproducible, or durable as several of the other designs.
This design emitted more light than the design currently being used.
Design C and Design A had the same overall volumes, but the arrays and the distributions
of this volume were different. This different array is the reason why more light was generated.
The intensity of a light source can be calculated by dividing the power of a light source by the
surface area of an object. Because both designs were exposed to a 100 watt full spectrum light
bulb, the power for the intensity of both designs was equivalent: therefore, the total area that
reflected the light for Design C must have been smaller. This proposal suggests that a design
constructed from 6 smaller soda bottles with the same volume of 2 liters will even further reflect
light. Design B also generated more light than Design A. This may have occurred because of
the smaller overall surface area as well.
Design D and Design E did not further reflect light by demonstrating the Tyndall effect.
The cornstarch and aluminum powder colloidal solution did not prove to be effective. The
colloidal solution settled over time, preventing even more light from being reflected. The use 1
of the 3 algal polysaccharides to make this colloidal solution may have been more effective.
Design E had a smaller amount of cornstarch and aluminum powder. This use of materials was
supposed to produce more lux than Design D, but it did not even do that.
Design F was constructed with a solid, reflective object suspended in the water and
bleach mixture inside the soda bottle. The aluminum foil that was used for this weighted object
began to discolor overtime. The shiny, reflective surface of the aluminum foil was lost.
However, this design was tested shortly after being constructed, and the aluminum foil was
capable of being reflective. The following testing of this design was discontinued after the
discoloring of the aluminum foil. Also, the cap was not correctly secured to the top of the soda
bottle; there was a small opening. This resulted in the formation of algae that began to settle at
the bottom of the bottle. This design failed because of the combination of human error and
design quality.
Design G and Design H both have surrounding hoods created from aluminum foil which
directed more light towards the soda bottle so that it could be even further amplified. This
design may cause problems during certain weather, such as rain storms. The hood may act as a
bowl-like, concave structure and collect the water. The soda bottle solar light and its holder
would then have to be removed from the roof. If the fixture was not removed from the roof in a
certain amount of time, a leak may form. There is also the possibility that the aluminum foil
could become discolored. These designs will probably not be as effective during certain times in
the day when the sun is not positioned directly above the soda bottle solar light fixture.

Conclusions

The engineering goal was achieved and a new design was constructed that further reflects
ambient sunlight. There were no predictions or hypotheses for which design would generate the
most light. Because of the construction of an improved design, it is possible that households in
developing countries will be using this design instead of the soda bottle solar light that is
currently being used.
Furthermore, Design C can be reconstructed and built with even smaller soda bottles.
Instead of 4 bottles, this fixture can be made from 6 or 8 bottles. It is possible that this design
would even further amplify the sun’s light and provide a higher wattage of light. However, this
would require an increase in materials.
Design D and Design E can certainly be produced from different materials. Alginate,
agar, or carrageenan can be used instead of cornstarch. These materials are not affordable to be
bought and used for hundreds of soda bottles. If these redesigned prototypes did contain an
actual colloidal solution that did not settle over time, than the Tyndall effect would be
demonstrated.
Design G and Design F can be reproduced using different materials. Parabolic mirrors
may be just as useful, if not more useful, than aluminum foil. However, there may be a fire
hazard with the mirrors if the sun is reflected off of the mirror and onto a dry surface of plant.
In retrospect, it was possible to design a new soda bottle solar light that further amplifies
the sun’s light than the previous design for the soda bottle solar light currently being used.

Limitations and Assumptions

Prior to the actual experimenting, there were several assumptions that had to be made.
Because soda bottle soda lights are already being used in certain developing countries, the first
assumption made was that the modified soda bottle solar lights engineered will also be accepted
for use in developing countries. The following assumptions were also made; the soda bottle
solar lights will be easily accessed and removed from the roofs of households if the bleach in the
soda bottle does not keep the mixture clean from algae and the soda bottle solar lights most
effective during times of high sunlight and still somewhat effective during times of low sunlight.
There were certain variables of the experiment that were able to be controlled and other
variables of the experiment that were not able to be controlled. The type and amount of light
simulating the sun’s light was controlled by using a 100 watt full spectrum light bulb. The
different sizes of bottles and the water source of the water for each prototype design were also
controlled. How effective the solar lights are when exposed to actual sunlight and how long each
different design prototype will last and be useful for are variables that were not able to be
controlled.
For every experiment performed, there are always going to be various sources of
error. When exposing each design prototype to 1 full spectrum light bulb for 1 trial, it is possible
that the wavelengths may not have been the same for the whole of the testing. Also, some of the
water and the bleach that was added to the soda bottles may have evaporated by the time the cap
was secured to the top of the bottle. The cardboard holders made for each prototype design may
not have prevented all of the light from entering through minute holes. This source of error
would certainly affect the amount of light measured for Design C.

Applications and Future Experiments

The purpose and overall goal for this modified soda bottle solar light are very much
similar. These soda bottle solar lights can improve the lives of over 3 million people living in
households surrounding Manila, the Philippines without generated power. The availability of
light in developing countries will increase and improve the educational and medical needs. The
use of these lights will also greatly improve the lives of struggling families.
 The success of this experiment will result in very practical uses. Accessible and
affordable light will be provided to a numerous amounts of households in developing countries.
There will also be another use for recycled bottles that will benefit many different people who
are struggling to perform everyday tasks without indoor lighting.
There are more prototypes that can be designed that may provide even better results.
Instead of using cornstarch and water to produce a colloidal solution, 1 of the 3 polysaccharides
may work to produce a colloidal solution that actually reflects light by way of the Tyndall effect.
The polysaccharides that could be used are agar, alginate, and carrageenan.
Many new, advanced prototypes can be designed in the future with different materials
and different structures. It would be very interesting if a different soda bottle solar light would
be designed that could be used during the hours of the night. This device would have to be more
complex, as it would have to somehow store the sun’s energy for later use. There is the
possibility that this may not even be possible because of the use of inexpensive, recycled
materials. In this case, a household in a developing country would have one soda bottle solar
light to use during the day and another soda bottle solar light to use during the night. There is
also the possibility that there could be one light that both functions during the day and during the
night.

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Acknowledgments

The author wishes to recognize several mentors who assisted in making this project a
reality. Dr. Judith Sumner willingly provided assistance in various areas throughout the
development and execution of this project. She presented different ideas and suggestions that
influenced the way the project was designed and implemented. Dr. Sumner also organized the
purchasing of materials that was necessary to the project. The author’s family contributed both
funding and time in helping with the construction and testing of the engineered designs. Lastly,
the author would like to thank Mr. William Ellis for his ideas and suggestions throughout the late
development phases of this project.