A Colombian startup, 'E-Dina' has developed an innovative device that generates electricity using just saltwater. A Co...
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| A Colombian startup, 'E-Dina' has developed an innovative device that generates electricity using just saltwater. |
How It Works
WaterLight operates on the principle of ionization. Inside the cylindrical device, there are magnesium and copper plates—two metals that, when placed in an electrolyte solution like saltwater, generate an electrochemical reaction. When saltwater is poured into the device, the ions in the water facilitate the movement of electrons between the two plates. This flow of electrons creates a low-voltage direct current (DC) that can be used immediately to power devices.
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The design cleverly channels this generated current to a built-in LED light. It also includes a USB port, which allows users to charge small devices such as mobile phones, torches, and radios. The saltwater acts as the fuel, and there's no combustion, toxic waste, or hazardous material involved in the process—just a safe chemical reaction producing clean, usable energy.
Each refill of approximately 500ml of saltwater can provide up to 45 days of continuous lighting, depending on usage. Once the electrolyte is exhausted, it can simply be poured out and replaced. In regions where access to seawater is limited, even locally available brine solutions or human urine can substitute in emergencies.
At the core of WaterLight’s functionality is a process known as ionization. When approximately 500 milliliters of saltwater is poured into the device, it triggers a chemical reaction between magnesium and copper plates inside. These plates serve as electrodes, and the saltwater acts as an electrolyte. As the ions move and electrons are released, an electric current is generated. This current is harnessed to power a built-in LED light and even charge small electronics such as smartphones or radios via a USB port.
What sets WaterLight apart is not just its innovation but its eco-conscious engineering. A single saltwater refill can provide up to 45 days of continuous lighting. The device does not rely on toxic or non-recyclable batteries, making it a clean energy solution. With a lifespan of about 5,600 hours (equivalent to more than two years of regular use), WaterLight is also fully recyclable, reducing the waste burden on our environment.
Key Features of WaterLight:
- Powers an LED light for up to 45 days per saltwater refill
- USB port for charging small devices like phones and radios
- Eco-friendly, recyclable, and free of toxic waste
- Can use saltwater or even urine as an energy source
- Lifespan of 5,600 hours (2–3 years) of typical use
- Ideal for off-grid living, disaster relief, and remote areas
- Co-designed with the Wayúu community for real-world usability
Its lightweight and compact design makes it ideal for emergency response kits, outdoor adventures, and everyday use in remote areas. The ingenuity of WaterLight lies in its versatility. Beyond seawater, it can even be powered with urine in emergency scenarios, making it a highly reliable solution for explorers, mountaineers, and humanitarian missions. This portability and resilience make it an invaluable tool for fishermen, travelers, or communities hit by natural disasters, where access to conventional electricity is limited or completely unavailable.
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| It can also charge phones, radios, or other small electronics via USB. |
One of the most powerful aspects of WaterLight is its co-development with the Wayúu people, an indigenous community in northern Colombia. Their involvement ensured that the device not only functions effectively in real-life rural settings but also respects local cultures and needs. This collaboration led to a solution that is not only technically sound but socially impactful, aligning innovation with inclusion.
Water has always been vital to human survival, but until now, it was hard to imagine it as a direct energy source. Fossil fuels, despite their efficiency, have caused extensive environmental harm. Hydroelectric power exists, but it's infrastructure-heavy. In contrast, WaterLight proposes a simple yet revolutionary alternative: using ocean water as portable fuel. Bas Korsten, Global Chief Creative Officer at Wunderman Thompson (which collaborated with E-Dina on this project), summarizes it well:
“WaterLight demonstrates how the holy trinity of technology, creativity, and humanity can produce a genuinely groundbreaking idea—one which holds the potential to transform life for millions of people.”
Currently, WaterLight is distributed mainly in Colombia and Venezuela, with availability open to NGOs, government bodies, and humanitarian organizations. E-Dina hopes to expand its reach globally, especially in regions where electricity is a luxury rather than a given. According to the World Bank, over 840 million people still live without access to electricity. For these communities, WaterLight is more than a lamp—it’s a lifeline.
