LightNOW

My lighting column published in the June issue of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR talks about the effect of lighting on well being, summarizing a talk gave by educator Dr. Craig Bernecker.

Check it out here.

In 2013, the value of the luminaire market in the United States is estimated USD 17.1 billion by the Centre for Industrial Studies (CSIL), with a 5% increase compared to 2012. Imports satisfy about 50% of total consumption (39% some years ago). The top 50 players hold over 50% of the U.S. market. LED lighting is growing over 30% on an yearly basis.

Click here to learn more about this report.

This new IES document provides a method for measuring light output and color maintenance of LED lamps, light engines and luminaires.

Check it out here.

Flavorwire’s article, “Beyond James Turrell: 10 More Great Artists Who Use Light as a Medium,” profiles 10 artists whose work is based on light.

Check it out here.

Jim Campbell, Scattered Light, 2010.

NEMA’s shipment indexes for HID lamps continued to decline during 2013Q4. Shipments of sodium vapor lamps fell 5.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis compared to the previous quarter. Metal halide lamps contracted for the seventh consecutive quarter declining 3.6% on a quarterly basis. Following suit, the index for mercury vapor lamps dipped 5.6%. Calendar year 2013 showed decreases of 6.1% and 7% for sodium vapor and metal halide lamps, respectively. Mercury vapor lamps shipments posted an annual decline of 8.9% during CY2013.

Market shares for sodium and mercury vapor lamps declined marginally to 32.3% and 4%, respectively. In contrast, metal halide lamps increased during the quarter reaching 63.7%.

The Illuminating Engineering Society’s Lighting Education Portal provides a resource for lighting education resources, including e-learning, webcasts, formal degree programs in lighting, IES section courses and special events.

Check it out here.

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America was unchanged in June at 50, a value that is just below the threshold for conditions typically associated with an environment conducive to business expansion. The EBCI for future North American conditions continued to signal widespread optimism even though the index slipped to 82.5 in June from 85.3 in May.

Whether in grid or drywall, ceilings or walls, recessed or suspended, independent or in continuous rows, Focal Point’s Seem LED provides numerous mounting possibilities. Sleek and shadow-free, these linear 2.5 and 4-in. narrow slot luminaires is well suited to upscale designs. Clean, straight rows are furnished in 1-ft. increments standard; more precise lengths are available upon request. The Seem LED family is constructed with extruded aluminum housings, allowing each component to neatly mate and align. Housing extrusions deftly support various mounting needs. Corners are evenly lit and mitered. A molded end lens provides a finishing touch to prevent light leaks and block view of the LEDs.

Click here to learn more.

Researchers at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center are investigating the effects of different types of lighting in military shelters on Soldiers. Specifically, members of NSRDEC’s Cognitive Science Team are examining the effect of lighting on mood, or affective state, as well as visual acuity, cognitive alertness/awareness and the ability to perform tasks.

The team is investigating two types of lighting — traditional fluorescent lighting and newer light-emitting diodes, or LED, technologies. The lighting is being studied at varying color temperatures ranging from low color temperatures of yellow/red to high color temperatures of blue/white. Twenty-four human research volunteers, Soldiers between the ages of 18 to 31, participated in the study, which took place at NSRDEC over five consecutive days.

Compared with florescent lighting, the NSRDEC researchers concluded that LED lighting in a work environment seems to foster positive mood, increased alertness, and faster performance on visual perceptual and cognitive tasks. Soldiers working in fluorescent lighting tended to feel less alert, more fatigued and more depressed over time. Under fluorescent lighting, Soldiers showed slower response times on cognitive tasks measuring spatial and verbal memory.

This data has both military and industrial applications and could help designers to create work spaces where lighting improves concentration and mood.

I’m hoping to get a copy of the study, after which I’ll write more about this.

Join Peter Ngai, Vice President of OLED Lighting with Acuity Brands Lighting, as he shares the latest breakthroughs in OLED design and technology:

4:30–7:30 PM
Thursday, July 31, 2014
California Lighting Technology Center
633 Peña Drive
Davis, California

This event is an opportunity for architects, lighting designers, engineers and interior designers to connect with one another and learn about the latest developments in OLED technology from one of the industry’s leading experts.

RSVP here.