Trap Light, by Mike Thompson and Gionata Gatto makes use of high temperature, photoluminescent pigments embedded into a Murano glass lampshade, emitting captured light while the bulb is off, creating a very low ambient light for about 8 hours (after 30 minutes of charge). At their exhibition space in Milan this year, lights were on a timed cycle of on and off, so that the capability of the pigment could be displayed. Thompson explains the concept in the short video below.

The designer's narrative of the project as an energy saving device follows:

Trap Light is the result of an exciting collaboration between Gionata Gatto (Pedalator, Urban Buds) and Mike Thompson (Latro, Blood Lamp), proposing a radical new approach to lighting design. By utilising photoluminescent pigments to capture escaping light, Trap Light converts waste energy back into visible light.

Photoluminesence is a process in which energy absorbed by a substance is gradually released as light. Using the Murano glass blowing technique, the designers were able to embed photoluminescent pigments into the glass body of the lamp. Through this process, Trap Light becomes both shade and light source, emitting, absorbing, and re-emitting light. 30 minutes 'charge' of recycled light from a traditional incandescent or LED light bulb provides up to 8 hours of ambient lighting.

We're not sure how much energy is actually "saved," but regardless, the energy trapped creates a nice effect. More shots after the jump, including one of the Trap Light just after demolding.