Volcano-like aroma diffuser concept requires no power or heat to work its magic

It’s almost too easy to take our sense of smell for granted until we feel nauseated and disturbed by foul odors. Although not as sensitive as our furry friends, our noses still play a critical role not only in navigating the world around us but also in conditioning our minds and, in the long run, our bodies toward certain states or moods. After all, the right scents can help calm us down, while incompatible ones can quickly ruin our day.

Aroma diffusers have become quite the fad in the past few years, but it’s only recently that these products have outgrown their uninspiring utilitarian designs. Now they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, or even functions, including ones like this nature-inspired concept that uses zero energy to spread your favorite scents around.

Designer: Jaeyeong Choi

Even before modern essential oil diffusers became popular, people were already using more natural ways to get these scents into the air. Most of them are made from ceramic and require a candle or small fire to make the oil evaporate. Both kinds of diffusers have their own advantages and disadvantages, but the one thing they share in common is that they need some form of energy to work, whether it’s electricity or fire.

LITH is a concept for an aroma diffuser that requires none of those. You simply place a few drops of your favorite aromatic oil on a piece of volcanic rock and that’s pretty much it. The rock’s porous surface absorbs the oil, which is then released naturally into the air via evaporation, the pleasant aroma wafted through the air via natural breezes. No fire hazards, no power cords, no drained batteries, just Mother Nature doing her thing.

While the rock itself is sufficient to be a natural scent diffuser, LITH’s design borrows other themes from nature to complement the aroma with some visual impact. A spiraling cone, made from a mixture of acrylic resin, mica, and jesmonite dye, holds the rock at the top, mimicking the mighty form of a volcano. It creates a bit of a contrast, juxtaposing the gentle scents with the image of an energetic and sometimes destructive mountain.

The combination is definitely a memorable one, presenting a simple yet deeply meaningful design that creates an atmosphere of calm in your personal space. It’s not unlike the ASMR Lava Ball, available from our shop, that similarly uses a volcanic rock to act as a diffuser, but pairs that not only with an eye-catching aesthetic but also with sound and texture for an unforgettable sensory experience.