LOTUS

LOTUS is a scent diffusing table lamp that blooms when switched on. It infuses both traditional craft and technology: lantern-making technique techniques, 3D printing, and the magic of smart material.

Inspiration and motivation:
Living in a fast moving and ever-changing society, we tend to neglect things that were once important to us. We are forced to pursue speed but often forget our purpose. Therefore, I want to design a product that mimics the subtle movements in nature that are almost invisible to our eyes in the modern world.

Smart material - Nitinol:
Nitinol wire (a metal alloy of nickel and titanium) is also known as a shape-memory alloy (SMAs). It has the ability to restore to its original shape after deformation when heat is applied. Nitinol also has the ability to remember its shape at room temperature after a series of repetitive “training”, which is known as the two-way shape memory property.

A blooming light source:
Paper petals “bloom” gently when the light bulb gives off warmth and closes slowly when they cool down. This poetic and magical transition takes approximately 1-3 min.

Scent diffuser:
Like flowers, a pleasant smell will be released to its surrounding. An impeller above the light bulb starts spinning by the rising warm air and the small amount of heat diffuses the essential oil above the impeller.