align="justify">A lamp that uses gravity to power light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been given a green award.

The Gravia lamp designed by Virginia Tech student Clay Moulton earned second place in the Greener Gadgets Design Competition.

Electricity to power the 10 high-output LEDs is generated by a weight that spins a rotor as it falls to earth.

The weight is housed in an acrylic column, with the LEDs at its base shining through the acrylic to provide a diffuse glow.

It takes four hours for the weight to descend fully, during which time the LEDs emit 600 to 800 lumens, the equivalent of a 40-watt incandescent bulb.

And, although LEDs are renowned for their long life, the mechanism of the Gravia will last over 200 years of daily operation according to Mr Moulton.

He said: "The LEDs, which are generally considered long-life devices, become short-life components in comparison to the drive mechanisms."

The first prize winner at the awards was the Ener-Jar a DIY project that allows users to see how much energy an appliance uses so they can make decisions about how to implement energy savings.

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