Mexican scientist Carlos Rubio Avalos has invented a cement that glows in the dark. Pictured, a block of the material, which is currently in the early stages of commercialization. But his is not the only vision for of a glowing future ...
Courtesy Sialato
... Glowing Lines —
Created by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde and Heijmans Infrastructure, these "Smart Highways" are a series of interactive and sustainable roads. The designers are experimenting with a number of solutions such as glowing lines, pictured, that use sunlight to charge, and glow in the dark.
Courtesy Roosengaarde
Glowing Lines —
The first such highway in Holland has been built, with more on the horizon, according to Studio Roosegaarde. The goal is to make smart roads that can respond to traffic -- for example, by turning off lights when there is no traffic, or using temperature sensors that switch on warning signs when the roads get slippery in the winter.
Courtesy Roosengaarde
Glow-in-the-dark bicycle path —
Roosegarde also designed the Van Gogh Bicycle Path -- inspired by the painting Starry Night. Its surface is coated with a special paint that glows in the dark, and is powered by energy absorbed from sunlight.
Courtesy Roosengarde
Bioluminescent natural lighting —
French start up Glowee has an alternative solution to electricity in urban areas, shown in this rendering.
Courtesy Glowee
Bioluminescent natural lighting —
A rendering of French start-up Glowee's vision of urban lighting, which uses bioluminescence, a kind of living energy source found in nature. Its soft glowing light emits less heat and light pollution than ordinary lighting, the company says.
Courtesy Glowee
Bioluminescent natural lighting —
Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction within cells, which makes living organisms produce light. Inspired by real-life glow-in-the-dark sea creatures, Glowee's technology is made using natural properties found in marine micro-organisms.
Courtesy Glowee
Photoluminescent pebbles —
This path in Be'erot Khan, Israel, is lit up at night by Ambient Glow Technology, which uses a photoluminescent stone that can be placed in concrete and asphalt. The stones glow throughout the night after having soaked up light during the day, according to the makers.
Courtesy AGT
Solar-powered glowing concrete —
This illustration imagines a future in which streets are lined with luminous buildings.
