Niels Datema exploits graphite's conductive properties to illuminate Graphlights
Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Niels Datema has designed a lamp made entirely of graphite, which illuminates when its two parts connect (+ slideshow).
Niels Datema took advantage of graphite's electrical conductivity to alleviate the need for a switch to turn his Graphlights on or off.
Instead, the base and shade act as positive and negative terminals, which form a complete circuit when they touch and illuminate the bulb.
"The multi-applicability of graphite formed the root of my interests for finding a way for using and transforming this material and applying it in an everyday product," said Datema.
Graphite, more commonly used for pencil leads, is made up of a specific stable arrangement of carbon atoms that allows electricity to pass through easily.
Datema shaped the material using a similar process to casting ceramics, forming two cylinders for the base and the shade.
The shade includes a frosted diffuser that covers the bulb set back from the edge of the tube. Its rounded shape sits within a concave section of the base, which has an angled slice cut through it.
Graphite is also a good dry lubricant, so the light can be easily repositioned to point in different directions by rotating the top section of the stand. An electrical cable connects the base to the power supply.
Datema graduated from Design Academy Eindhoven in 2013 and set up his own design studio the year before. He has also designed a set of five measuring spoons that give the correct quantities of flour, water, yeast, sugar and oil to bake the perfect loaf of bread.