David Shiller

  US Lighting Trends recently published an interesting article about why lighting reps keep increasing the number of manufacturers that they represent on their line cards. The article was written by Geoffrey Marlow of Marlow Advisory Group. Lighting representatives today often carry over a hundred product lines, a notable increase from past decades, reflecting a [...]

  I had the pleasure of interviewing Collen Harper, the CEO and Executive Director of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). SHILLER: IES’s announcement, two weeks ago, that it would provide shared admin and management services to the Audio Engineering Society (AES) is a very clever and creative tactic to address the IES’s financial challenges. I [...]

  Alloy LED has introduced ThermaLine™ 3 as an IP67-rated tape light engineered to perform in high-temperature environments that traditional LEDs can’t survive for long. Fully encased in heat-resistant silicone and equipped with premium gold contact points for superior conductivity and corrosion resistance, ThermaLine 3 ensures long-term reliability and optimal performance for steam rooms, saunas, [...]

  2025’s holiday shopping season will mark a turning point in retail, driven by AI shopping agents. “Cyborg Monday,” a term coined to reflect this AI-infused evolution of Cyber Monday, highlights the fusion of human customer intent with machine decision-making. Instead of shoppers individually browsing online stores, AI agents—from chatbots and personal digital assistants to [...]

  A major breakthrough in targeted cancer treatment utilizes an innovative therapy of light-activated molecules to destroy malignant cells, while leaving normal skin tissue intact. The study centers on a new photodynamic therapy (PDT) approach that employs microscopic flakes of tin, called “SnOx nanoflakes,” in which “Sn” refers to the chemical symbol for tin. These [...]

  China’s tightening of rare earth export controls, this month, has intensified global supply chain concerns with specific repercussions for the lighting industry. Beijing’s Ministry of Commerce expanded its rare earth export list, adding five new elements for a total of twelve. The new regulations extend beyond raw materials, also covering refining technologies, equipment, and [...]

  Surging electricity prices have shifted voter sentiment in Virginia, New Jersey, and Maine, introducing energy policy as a defining issue in U.S. politics. Electricity rates—up 21 percent in New Jersey and expected to climb substantially in Virginia—are amplifying frustrations among households and small businesses, fueling electoral volatility heading into the gubernatorial elections and shaping [...]

  Contemporary water feature lighting merges art and technology to create immersive outdoor and architectural experiences. In 2025, designers are using dynamic lighting systems to enhance fountains, waterfalls, ponds, and interactive public installations, emphasizing both ecological sensitivity and emotional impact. The focus has shifted from static illumination to dynamic scenes that translate the character of [...]

  New research from KPMG reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) systems have the potential to reduce energy waste in buildings by up to 30%, significantly improving energy efficiency and supporting sustainability goals. This is particularly important as buildings contribute roughly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and with urban populations expected to reach 70% by [...]