Japanese scientists invent floating ‘firefly’ light

ERATO Kawahara Universal Information Network Project's 'Luciola', miniature floating LED light aptly named after fireflies, draws the letter 'R' during its demonstration at the University of Tokyo, Japan February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

TOKYO: Japanese engineering researchers say they have created a tiny electronic light the size of a firefly which rides waves of ultrasound, and could eventually figure in applications ranging from moving displays to projection mapping.

Named Luciola for its resemblance to the firefly, the featherweight levitating particle weighs 16.2 mg, has a diameter of 3.5 mm (0.14 inch), and emits a red glimmer that can just about illuminate text.