LIGHT BLANKET
Heather Morgan Carlsen
Joshua Michael Abraham
Erika Freitas Martins
Cornell University [USA]
The Light Blanket integrates two essential components of emergency or disaster relief---light and warmth. By providing these elements to victims, the blanket fosters a sense of security that is furthered by the simple comfort of finding enclosure or having something to hold. The design takes advantage of and improves upon an on-the-market emergency "space" blanket developed for NASA that reflects and retains up to 90% of radiated body heat and is moisture resistant. Aluminum in the blanket is radar reflective giving it valuable emergency signal capabilities. Water resistant battery-powered LED strips are integrated along the two long ends of the blanket to provide an efficient light source in virtually all emergency situations. Because the blanket is thin and only 1.52m x 2.13m it folds to 16.5cm x 8cm, making it portable and handy for emergency use. The lamps take advantage of the reflective aluminum surface to create a gentle glow for personal or general area illumination. Their subtle light is undisruptive in group situations, such as in an emergency shelter, but allows the user to have clear general vision of his surroundings. The blanket is lightweight and compact, but when unfolded, can provide a large surface area for sitting, sleeping, or finding shelter. It is versatile and may be laid on the floor as a ground cover, hung on the wall for out-of-the-way room illumination, or set up like a tent for one or two people. When worn, it can either light the inside of the enclosed space or the outside, depending on which surface is exposed. Furthermore, the two sets lights allow the user to choose between brighter illumination for a lesser amount of time and dimmer illumination for a greater amount of time. To produce the blanket we plan to use MPI Outdoors' "all weather blanket" and attach a vinyl cover to battery-powered LED light cords, which would ideally be sewn into the material at the edge of the blanket.