To showcase this technology, Kyosemi has taken two Sphelar-powered portable lighting products to Kickstarter: the water-resistant Sphelar Lantern and the Sphelar Stick flashlight. Both devices feature a clear acrylic base with a cylindrical web of Sphelars on the inside, which is both prettier and more effective than a tiny flat solar cell.

With its Sphelar side facing upward on a clear day, the Lantern takes four to six hours to be fully charged, then flip it around (hence its hourglass shape) to let it shine for about four hours; and if needed, there's also USB for faster charging. The aluminum Stick, on the other hand, requires more patience due to its much smaller volume -- we're talking about just 30 minutes of usage from a six- to eight-hour charge, but it does have the capacity to store up to four hours worth of juice; plus its brightness is rated at 34.20 lumens which is much higher than the Lantern's 5.72 lumens.

Admittedly, this cool-looking technology comes at a price. The Sphelar Stick already starts at $129 (available in silver, navy, green or copper; a wooden stand is included), whereas the Sphelar Lantern is asking for at least $349 (walnut or hard maple). There are really only two ways to talk yourselves into this: You either really dig these designs, or you genuinely want to support this forward-thinking company; or both. And at the end of the day, some people do spend even more money on designer products, anyway.