In the wake of natural disasters, one thing that often gets overlooked is the need for cheap, reliable lighting.

There are, of course, solar lanterns and flashlights on the market. But there’s nothing quite like the LuminAID, a portable, inflatable, rechargeable solar lantern designed by two graduate students, Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stork.

The World’s Clark Boyd writes about them, and their creation, in his new column for BBC Future.

Haiti’s devastating earthquake in 2010 shattered the country’s infrastructure, but for one designer it proved to be an illuminating moment.

Before you read this, close the door, draw the curtains, and turn out the lights. If you are reading on your laptop, momentarily close the lid.

Now that you are back, think about how it felt. Chances are it was not too disorientating or frightening. After all, you were in a familiar room with a light switch close by.

Now imagine that days earlier there had been a massive earthquake. Thousands are dead. Entire towns have been flattened. Resources are in short supply and something as simple as turning on a light is not an option,

Two years ago, that was the situation in Haiti, following a catastrophic quake. The country’s infrastructure, already minimal, was badly affected.

But along with the influx of aid agencies, technologists, engineers and designers all offered their help to Haitians to try and rebuild their homes and their nation. One of them was Andrea Sreshta, who was working toward her master’s degree in architecture at Columbia University in New York.

She immediately spotted an area where she could help. Read more >>