David Shiller

  Modern energy-saving lighting and glazing may have unintentionally altered the biological quality of indoor light, according to a New Scientist feature article examining emerging research on red and infrared (IR) wavelengths. The article argues that the widespread move to LEDs and IR-filtering window glass has substantially reduced people’s exposure to long-wavelength light—a change that [...]

  The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) has re-affirmed 10 existing lighting standards: BSR/IES LM-88-18(R27) Approved Method: Optical and Electrical Measurements of AC-LED Packages and Arrays or Modules BSR/IES LM-35-20(R27) Approved Method: Photometric Testing of Floodlighting for HID or Incandescent Lamps BSR/IES LM-46-20(R27) Approved Method: Photometric Testing of Indoor Luminaires Using HID or Incandescent Filament Lamps BSR/IES LM-73-04(R27) Approved Method: [...]

Here are quick updates on four lighting industry trade shows & conferences. ArchLIGHT Summit: September 15-16, 2026 at Dallas Market Center, Dallas, TX. Announced key schedule highlights for the 2026 event. Urban lighting authority Leni Schwendinger and IALD president Andrea Hartranft will deliver keynote addresses. The show returns co-located with Dallas Design Week, DALI Summit, [...]

  Last week, I published a story on Matter expanding from residential smart homes to commercial and industrial applications. The following is a large-scale demonstration of applying Matter-over-Thread to a commercial environment. Silicon Labs has demonstrated a 200-node Matter-over-Thread validation network, providing a significant proof point for the use of Matter in commercial lighting, building [...]

  The Massachusetts legislature is considering a consequential public-outdoor-lighting proposal, similar to some other recent state laws. Massachusetts House Bill H.3494 and its Senate successor, S.3145, would tie state and municipal funding for new permanent outdoor lighting to tighter controls on spectral content, uplight, illuminance and system design, reshaping the specification conversation for roadway, parking, [...]

  iGuzzini has expanded its recessed lighting portfolio with Laser Evo, a highly configurable downlight system that’s built on visual-comfort principles. Designed for retail, hospitality and residential applications, Laser Evo combines compact form factors, architectural integration, optical flexibility and connected-control options in a platform offering more than one million potential configurations. The product family follows [...]

  Beijing Betavolt New Energy Technology has announced a compact nuclear coin-sized battery, the BV100, capable of delivering continuous power for up to 50 years without recharging or maintenance, positioning the technology as a potential disruptor in long-duration energy supply for low-power electronics and remote applications. The device, often described as a “nuclear microbattery,” leverages [...]

  Neuroscience-informed design positions illumination as a practical tool for reducing cognitive load, strengthening wayfinding, and giving students greater control over their learning environments. As higher-education institutions focus more closely on student well-being, retention, and academic success, neuroinclusive design is moving beyond its traditional accessibility role. Campus environments are beginning to acknowledge the many ways [...]

  LEDVANCE has received a 2026 German Innovation Award for Elix, an AI-powered companion lighting robot that combines adaptive illumination, robotics and interactive controls. The product won the Excellence in Business-to-Consumer Lighting category at the May awards ceremony in Berlin, following its public debut at Lichtwoche Sauerland and appearance at Light + Building 2026. Elix [...]