In the past few decades, great changes have taken place in electrical lighting, first to more compact and efficient fluorescent lamps, and then to LED bulbs. Although the old incandescent bulb emits pleasant light, it is inefficient. Opening the history book, we know that incandescent lamps are not the only game in the city; Another type of light uses ceramic elements at atmospheric pressure when a filament is suspended in a vacuum to prevent it from being oxidized. Nernst lamp requires its filament to be heated before conducting electricity, and [drop table adventures] has made one with the blade of a ceramic potato peeler.
Considering that it is easy to find ceramic kitchen utensils, correct ceramics is not a problem, but there are two problems that make practical lighting difficult. The copper connection itself becomes too hot and oxidized. It is difficult to preheat the ceramic with a blowtorch and maintain uniform heat at the same time. Finally, they do manage a self-sustaining light, though not the brightest.
If you think Nernst light sounds familiar, maybe it’s because we reported it in the post technology series.