David Shiller

    Companies are beginning to produce fiber textiles, also known as biofabric, from fungus mycelium and plant roots. The following are two interesting examples. My Glo produces luminaires (light shades) and other home décor items from fungus mycelium. See the image above and directly below. The mycelium light shades are flame resistant, help clean [...]

  The IRA provides $400 Billion in federal funding for clean energy carbon reduction to address climate change. The IIJA provides $550 Billion in federal funding, over the next 5 years, for infrastructure, including EV charging infrastructure, as well as numerous projects that often include lighting, such as bridges, tunnels, highways, railway improvements, and more. [...]

Here is an early look at 2024 lighting industry events, call-for-speakers, and award programs in 2024: Lightovation: Dallas International Lighting Show – January 10 – 14, 2024, Dallas, TX. Bright Star Awards – Product awards. Now accepting submissions. Final submission deadline is 1/26/24. Website is here. EC&M Product of the Year Awards 2024 – Product [...]

48 volt direct current (48VDC) lighting has been slowly and quietly growing as a trend, over the past 5-10 years. Here are some important things to know. ORIGINS 48VDC power systems originated in the telecommunications industry. Telecom needed efficiency, resiliency during grid outages, and increased safety from shock. The telecom industry invested in the first [...]

National nonresidential construction spending ticked up 0.1% in October to a seasonally adjusted annualized basis of $1.1 trillion, according to a new Associated Builders and Contractors analysis.Manufacturing and infrastructure investments fueled a 0.1% uptick in October, but warehouse and distribution center spending declined. The small gain marks the 17th consecutive month of growth, primarily due to activity [...]

The U.S. DOE Lighting R&D Program has two open funding opportunities: The SBIR Program is looking to fund development of Advanced Lighting Fixtures, horticultural lighting, and germicidal UV solutions. Letters of intent for the SBIR are due Jan. 3. The DOE also has the BENEFIT FOA with concept papers due 12/18/23. SBIR link. The BENEFIT FOA [...]

  The following is a list of 24 lighting industry trends to watch in 2024, broken into three categories: technology, regulations, and industry. Technology: Alternative ceiling fan blade geometries: Toroidal? Bladeless? AI impacting lighting, including: AI generative design, AI chips going into IoT products, and AI in building automation systems. Emergence of AC COB tape [...]

  LightFair has announced that the 2025 trade show and conference will be co-located with HD Expo + Conference, as well as open showrooms at the Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC). The three events combined are being dubbed “Las Vegas Interior Design Week.” LightFair will be May 4-8, 2025 at the Las Vegas Convention Center [...]

  The following is an excerpt from my article in the December issue of LD+A: “As the coronavirus pandemic raged on, an upscale bistro in Dallas, TX became one of its many casualties. The restaurant had been located in an iconic chrome and glass gem structure within the grassy downtown oasis of Klyde Warren Park. [...]