Address:
Glafo, PG Vejdes väg 15,
SE-351 96 Växjö
SWEDEN

Visitor's address:
Vejdes plats 3

Tel: +46 10 516 63 50
E-mail: info@glafo.se

You find a map at the
"about Glafo" page.

Project leader: Christina Stålhandske
Project status: NEW


DEVELOPMENT OF COST-EFFECTIVE OPTICAL FIBRE FOR SUNLIGHT LIGHTING

The objective of this project is to:
- develop a glass fibre having an attenuation not exceeding 70 dB/km over the 400-750 nm range;
- use the fibre in a demonstration installation.

Background
A feasibility study carried out as part of Vinnova's hypothesis verification programme looked at the feasibility of manufacturing glass fibre for carrying sunlight far into buildings. Present-day sunlight transport systems used plastic fibres, which have high light losses. This limits the practical range of such systems to about 20 m, which is not particularly long.

In conjunction with Acreo and Uppsala University, we showed that it should be possible to produce a glass fibre capable of conveying sunlight over three to four times this distance, and having a higher light quality than the plastic fibre, at a reasonable price.

Using sunlight for lighting has a number of positive benefits, such as energy saving and improved indoor lighting quality. With a longer range than that of present-day systems, sunlight can be used in areas such as offices, shops, corridors, basements, metro stations, parking garages and road tunnels.

We intend, in this continuation project, which is partly financed by Vinnova, to manufacture a suitable glass fibre. This will be followed by a full-scale project to demonstrate and verify the performance, together with Akademiska Hus and, for example, the Swedish Transport Administration.

Project description
Glafo is the project holder, and will develop the melt process and adjust the raw materials for the glass to produce the required glass quality. Acreo will develop the fibre drawing technology and manufacture the glass fibre for demonstration projects. Uppsala University will analyse the quality of the glass and of the fibre. Parans, a manufacturer of lighting systems, will develop a lighting system that can use glass fibre instead of plastic fibre.

At Glafo, we have started work on optimisation of various quality parameters such as homogeneity, refining and the colour of the glass. A new furnace has been ordered, in which we will be able to make about 1,4 kg of glass for direct drawing into fibre.

Akademiska Hus's demonstration object will probably take the form of installation of a panel in the same premises in which there is a similar panel supplied by plastic fibres. If realized it will be favourable for comparing both systems under very similar conditions.

Fibre optics facilitate eco-friendly lighting. Photo: Acreo.

Project duration
15/11-11 until 15/11-13.

Project participants
Glafo, Acreo, Parans, Akademiska Hus, Glasma, Sibelco, Fibertronix, Swedish Transport Administration and Uppsala University.

Financing
and the project participants.