http://www.lrc.rpi.edu Advancing the effective use of light for society and the environment http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/img/home/logo.gif http://www.lrc.rpi.edu en-us 1995 - 2011 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). All rights reserved worldwide. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss/ 18 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST Evaluation methods and testing requirements for LED and solid-state lighting products are rapidly changing as new standards, metrics, and labeling programs become available to the lighting industry. As a result, the Lighting Research Center (LRC) has developed a new professional lighting seminar, the Photometry Institute, to be held April 11-12, 2012. Fri, 3 Feb 2012 12:10:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=221 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=221 The Lighting Research Center is recruiting subjects ages 18 to 35 to participate in a daytime study designed to investigate the alerting effects of light by measuring brain activities under different light exposures. The study takes place January 23 through February 8, 2012. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/call_for_subjects_01_17_12.pdf http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/call_for_subjects_01_17_12.pdf Capturing the Lighting Edge, a series of seminars beginning February of 2012, was designed to provide manufacturers and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to help them develop products, expand markets, and improve current product offerings within the lighting industry. Currently six sessions on varying lighting topics are planned and will be conducted throughout New York State. Mon, 9 Jan 2012 16:35:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=219 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=219 The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has released a new publication detailing field test results for a load-shedding ballast system for fluorescent lighting commercially available from OSRAM Sylvania. This system enables a building to easily and effectively step-down lighting, as needed during times of peak electric demand, without the need for costly wiring or wireless communications typical with more sophisticated lighting control system. Mon, 9 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=218 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=218 The Lighting Research Center (LRC) is recruiting subjects ages 18 to 65 to participate in a paid night time study designed to investigate the human circadian system's response to light from a TV. The study takes place the evenings of January 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th from 10:30 pm to 01:00 am. Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/call for_ subjects _TV_12_11.pdf http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/call for_ subjects _TV_12_11.pdf A recent study conducted by the LRC found that the odds of being killed in a multiple-vehicle crash during daytime rain were about 8 percent lower after states enacted wipers-on laws. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=217 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=217 LRC's FAA-funded research will be shared with ICAO, a specialized agency of the United Nations that sets standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity. The meeting, ICAO Visual Aids Subgroup on LEDs, will be hosted by the LRC on October 25-27, 2011, at Rensselaer's Heffner Alumni House. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/ICAO-meetingAnnouncement_10-19-11.pdf http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/ICAO-meetingAnnouncement_10-19-11.pdf A recent study conducted by the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that satellite images of outdoor lighting are unrelated to actual light levels reaching the eye. These results challenge previous studies linking satellite images of outdoor lighting with increased incidences of breast cancer. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=210 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=210 Scientists at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a novel night-lighting system that provides visual and spatial cues to promote better postural stability and control. By enhancing the vertical and horizontal elements in the room with lighting, older individuals can better orient themselves to the environment, thereby improving their balance. Tues, 13 Sep 2011 10:32:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=209 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=209 A new book designed to interest young people in science features Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Associate Professor Mariana Figueiro. "Light: Energy You Can See" includes a section detailing Figueiro's research on how light impacts our body's daily rhythms. Tues, 13 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=208 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=208 Rensselaer Professor and Lighting Research Center Director of Research Nadarajah Narendran, Ph.D., was an invited speaker at SPIE Optics + Photonics 2011, held last week in San Diego, California. Narendran addressed attendees during the OLEDs and Solid-State Lighting Plenary Session, where world-class speakers present on the latest research and breakthroughs. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=207 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=207 The LRC has developed the Outdoor Lighting Institute, a two-day, hands-on, practical course that teaches engineers, lighting designers, municipal officials, utility personnel, and others how to effectively design, specify, and commission energy-efficient outdoor lighting installations for a variety of sites and locations including streets and roadways, parking areas, parks, pedestrian areas, and other locations. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:10:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=206 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=206 Flicker and stroboscopic effects have been a concern with solid-state lighting. To provide further data and guidance on the effects of frequency and other driving modes on the perception and acceptability of flicker, the LRC has conducted human factors studies that were recently published in "Lighting Research & Technology," an international journal. Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=205 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=205 Research led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Associate Professor Mariana Figueiro on the impact of light on teenagers' sleeping habits was selected for publication in Best of Sleep Medicine 2011. The textbook is designed to keep sleep clinicians, researchers, and technologists informed of the latest science and technology advances in the growing field of sleep medicine. Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:20:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=204 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=204 The Alliance for Solid-State Illumination Systems and Technologies (ASSIST) has published two new volumes in its ASSIST recommends series. The two issues offer new calculation methods for estimating efficacy and discomfort glare, respectively, from luminaires used outdoors. Wed, 14 Jun 2011 17:10:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=203 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=203 In the spring of 2011, Lighting Research Center (LRC) graduate students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute racked up an impressive list of accolades ranging from campus entrepreneurship awards to winning first place in national design competitions. Wed, 14 Jun 2011 17:10:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=202 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=202 The LRC is recruiting subjects over the age of 18 to participate in a nighttime study beginning in June comparing the effects of light and sleep deprivation on certain hormone levels. The study will consist of two groups: a control group and a sleep-deprived group. Mon, 1 May 2011 13:50:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/CallForSubjects_04_26_2011.pdf http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/CallForSubjects_04_26_2011.pdf The LRC newsletter is now available online. Read about the recent and exciting new lighting research, new publications, and LRC growth. Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/enews/March11/newsletter.html http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/enews/March11/newsletter.html The Lighting Research Center is recruiting subjects ages 18 to 25 to participate in a nighttime study that will take place on four evenings over a four-week period. The dates are Thursday, March 24; Thursday, March 31; Thursday, April 21; and Thursday, April 28. Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/CallForSubjects_03_04_11.pdf http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/CallForSubjects_03_04_11.pdf LRC researchers have developed a daylighting design guide, Patterns to Daylight Schools for People and Sustainability, that balances the photobiological benefits of daylighting with well-known daylight design techniques that can be applied in schools. Fri, 4 Mar 2011 13:35:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=200 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=200 The National Lighting Product Information Program (NLPIP) at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Lighting Research Center (LRC) released its latest publication, Specifier Reports: Streetlights for Local Roads, designed to provide objective performance information on streetlights for local roads in residential areas. Tues, 22 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=198 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=198 The LRC welcomes the iGuzzini illuminazione spa as the newest member of its Partners Program, which is designed to coordinate the efforts of public and private organizations to advance lighting research, education, and technology. Tues, 22 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=199 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=199 The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was recently awarded a World Bank Group contract to perform laboratory testing of LED-based, off-grid lighting products for Lighting Africa, a joint IFC and World Bank program. Lighting Africa seeks to accelerate the development of commercial off-grid lighting markets in Sub-Saharan Africa to improve access to modern, clean lighting and related energy services for people at the base of the pyramid. Thu, 3 Feb 2011 16:25:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=197 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=197 The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is steering a major initiative to promote sustainable lighting in South Asia, using light-emitting diode (LED) technology. The LRC efforts reached a milestone last week when global lighting manufacturers, world finance and development organizations, and leading government representatives met to develop a regional lighting technology roadmap at the first South Asia Lighting Transformation Forum. Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:55:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=196 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=196 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center (LRC) welcomes the Swedish Energy Agency as the newest member of the LRC Partners Program, which is designed to coordinate the efforts of public and private organizations to advance lighting research, education, and technology. Headquartered in Eskilstuna, the Swedish Energy Agency is a government organization focused on Sweden's national energy policy issues and promoting the development of an energy infrastructure that is environmentally and economically sustainable. Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=195 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=195 LRC Senior Research Specialist and graduate student Aaron Smith was recently recognized by LD+A, the magazine of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), as one of 25 rising stars in the lighting profession. Wed, 8 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=194 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=194 NLPIP releases an addendum to its September publication, Specifier Reports: Streetlights for Collector Roads, and addresses critical comments from government representatives who claimed that NLPIP made an error in the report by selecting "underpowered" luminaires to be equals to existing fixtures, even though "higher-powered" models might be available. That is a misrepresentation of NLPIP's methodology, and those issues have been formally addressed to minimize misinformation. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=193 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=193 The National Lighting Product Information Program (NLPIP) released its latest Specifier Report, designed to provide objective performance information on existing street lighting technologies including light-emitting diode (LED), induction, and high pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights. This report comes at a critical time when many municipalities, some with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, are in the process of replacing HPS streetlights with LED and induction models. Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=192 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=192 In the past few years, automobile headlamps have gone through a great deal of transformations in the marketplace, from the advent of high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps to the passing of legislation, such as the "wipers on, lights on" laws that are now common in many states. Despite these innovations, it is unclear whether the public sees this evolution in automobile headlamps as positive. Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=191 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=191 In the spring, later sunset and extended daylight exposure delay bedtimes in teenagers, according to researchers at the LRC. “Biologically, this increased exposure to early evening light in the spring delays the onset of nocturnal melatonin, a hormone that indicates to the body when it’s nighttime,” explains Mariana Figueiro, Ph.D., associate professor. “This extended exposure adds to the difficulties teens have falling asleep at a reasonable hour.” Web, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=190 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=190 The National Lighting Product Information Program (NLPIP) has released a new Lighting Answers report that discusses the performance of LED residential under-cabinet luminaires. Included in the publication is a comparison of four linear LED under-cabinet luminaires intended for kitchen applications with four traditional luminaires – two fluorescent and two incandescent xenon models. Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=189 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=189 The LRC newsletter is now available online. Read about the last three month's exciting new lighting research, new publications, and LRC growth. Fri, 30 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/enews/June10/newsletter.html http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/enews/June10/newsletter.html In a paper recently published in the Journal of Circadian Rhythms, researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center (LRC) have defined light as it impacts the human circadian system. LRC researchers coined the term “Circadian Light” as spectrally weighted retinal irradiance that stimulates the human circadian system. Because exposures of light and dark on the retina regulate the circadian system, and because circadian disruption has broad health implications, it is important to develop a new definition of light that characterizes the impact light has on this important biological system. Fri, 30 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=187 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=187 Lighting plays an important role in supporting retail operations, from attracting customers, to influencing product appearance, to corporate branding. A recent survey showed that for retail applications, light source color properties are considered more important than any other light source criterion, including energy efficiency. Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=186 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=186 Lighting accounts for about one-quarter of the electricity consumed by the commercial sector in the United States and energy-efficient lamps, ballasts, and lighting controls represent significant opportunities to save energy, money and reduce CO2 emissions associated with fossil fuel electric generation. Lighting control manufacturers have developed dimming systems designed to dim/turn off lamps and reduce energy use from electric lighting when daylight is available. However, according to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center (LRC), these daylighting controls have not gained widespread acceptance in the market due to high initial cost, difficulties installing and programming the devices, and consumers’ lack of awareness of the technology. Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=185 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=185 The next time you drive past a construction zone on a highway, you may notice that more highway maintenance trucks are using light emitting diode (LED) flashing beacons instead of traditional incandescent rotating beacons. A recent study by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center (LRC), sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), has shown that LED beacon lights use less power without compromising safety. Thu, 06 May 2010 16:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=184 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=184 Light-emitting diode (LED) technology continues to rapidly mature and is pursued as a street lighting alternative to traditional lamp sources categorized as high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, such as high pressure sodium luminaires. In order to quantify the performance of new LED street lighting options, lighting specifiers must compare the claimed benefits of LED fixtures, including long life, reduced maintenance, and energy savings, to existing HID sources. The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently released a new publication detailing field test evaluation results of an LED street lighting installation in a suburban business park in upstate New York. Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=183 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=183 The first field study on the impact of light on teenagers’ sleeping habits finds that insufficient daily morning light exposure contributes to teenagers not getting enough sleep. In the study just published in Neuroendocrinology Letters, Assistant Professor and Program Director Dr. Mariana Figueiro and LRC Director Dr. Mark Rea found that eleven 8th grade students who wore special glasses to prevent short-wavelength (blue) morning light from reaching their eyes experienced a 30-minute delay in sleep onset by the end of the 5-day study. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=182 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=182 Scientists at the Lighting Research Center are helping to evaluate different crosswalk lighting systems in order to improve pedestrian safety. The LRC sought to find a lighting solution that illuminates the pedestrian but not the background in order to increase contrast and improve pedestrian visibility and detection. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:30:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=180 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=180 Lighting Research Center experts estimate that about half of the approximately 13 million streetlights in the United States have the opportunity to significantly reduce energy consumption by as much as 50 percent, translating to an annual savings of 1 billion kWh, and a reduction in power plant CO2 emissions of 546,000 tons per year. LRC researchers demonstrated in multiple field tests that, by using what they describe as a Unified System of Photometry, a street lighting system can be designed to reduce energy use while maintaining or improving perceptions of visibility, safety, and security. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=178 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=178 Cities and towns across the United States are considering ways to reduce outdoor lighting energy consumption, and much attention is being paid to the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The Lighting Research Center has released a new publication detailing field test results for photovoltaic-powered LED luminaires installed at three public, outdoor sites in the Catskill Mountains region of upstate New York. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=176 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=176 The National Lighting Product Information Program (NLPIP) has released its latest Lighting Answers, designed to address specific questions relevant to lighting professionals, contractors, and homeowners. Lighting Answers: LED Lighting Products for Consumers provides information about general illumination light-emitting diode (LED) products currently found on retail shelves such as power failure lights, task lights, replacement lamps, night lights, and undercabinet luminaires. Mon, 21 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=175 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pr_story.asp?id=175