Technologies & Research

Executive Summary on "A Study on the Perception of Full Spectrum LEDs" Published

From a LED producer's perspective, it is essential to have knowledge about the perception of LEDs by human beings. To consolidate existing and gain new knowledge on recently introduced Full Spectrum LEDs, which claim to bring natural light quality into electric lighting appliances, the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (Germany) conducted a study in cooperation with three main LED manufacturers Nichia (Japan), Seoul Semiconductor (Korea), Toshiba Materials (Japan) and the LED gear supplier Lumitronix (Germany). Read more »

Flickering Light Mobilizes Brain Chemistry that May Fight Alzheimer's

For over a century, Alzheimer's disease has confounded all attempts to treat it. But in recent years, perplexing experiments using flickering light have shown promise. The promise of flickering light to treat Alzheimer's takes another step forward in this new study, which reveals stark biochemical mechanisms: 40 Hertz stimulus triggers a marked release of signaling chemicals. Read more »

LED Technology Shines the Light on Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Scientists estimate that nearly 60% of all cancer patients do not respond effectively to chemotherapy treatments. Even worse – many of those same patients experience toxic and sometimes deadly side effects. Now, a Purdue University scientist and entrepreneur is working to use simple LED light to help determine if certain chemotherapy options will work for specific patients. Read more »

HCL-Research | Health | Applications | Feb 24, 2020

LRC Evaluates Hybrid UV/Blue Light Lighting System to Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections

People who visit hospitals are expecting care and treatment, not additional complications, yet approximately 1 in 25 patients contract healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in U.S. hospitals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Standard cleaning procedures usually involve manual application of detergents and disinfectants. Unfortunately, the efficacy of these manual cleaning procedures can vary considerably. In fact, less than 50% of patient room surfaces are properly cleaned. Read more »

HCL-Research | HCL | Health + Environment | Dec 19, 2019

Research Confirms that Light Pollution Can Suppress Melatonin Production in Humans and Animals

Melatonin sets the internal clock. Researchers from IGB in an international team have analyzed data on the impact of light pollution on melatonin formation in humans and vertebrates. They found that even the low light intensities of urban skyglow can suppress melatonin production. Melatonin influences the metabolism and other body functions. Read more »

Research News | HCL-Research | Office Lighting | Oct 23, 2020

Research Project Combines Dynamic Daylight and Artificial Light for a New Quality of Light for Work Environments

A new approach to lighting design and technology is the focus of the Double Dynamic Lighting project conducted by the renowned Aalborg University in Copenhagen, supported and accompanied by several leading lighting companies. The research team led by Prof. Ellen Kathrine Hansen is exploring the combination of dynamic daylight and artificial light in a spatial context and opening up a new dimension for architects and lighting experts in supporting individual needs and different working requirements. Read more »

HCL | HCL-Research | Health | Dec 18, 2019

Tailored Light Improves Sleep Quality, Depression, Agitation in Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease

Most people associate Alzheimer's disease with profound memory loss, but it is often the symptoms - sleep disturbances, depression, and agitation - that are a challenge to treat, and can significantly reduce the quality of life for both the affected individual and their family members and caregivers. In a research project funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), Dr. Mariana Figueiro, Professor and Director at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is investigating whether a tailored lighting intervention can lessen the impact of these symptoms in older adults living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Read more »

HCL | HCL-Research | Biological Effects | Health | Dec 18, 2019

University of Manchester Scientists Suggest Blue Light Not So Disruptive to Sleep as Thought

Contrary to common belief, blue light may not be as disruptive to our sleep patterns as originally thought. According to the team, using dim, cooler, lights in the evening and bright warmer lights in the day may be more beneficial to our health. Twilight is both dimmer and bluer than daylight, they say, and the body clock uses both of those features to determine the appropriate times to be asleep and awake. Read more »

3D Bio-Optical Models Reveals How the Human Body Uses the Entire Solar Spectrum

History teaches that global changes to the public's environment mandate a higher level of scrutiny to ensure that we first do no harm. In "Melatonin and the Optics of the Human Body" published in the journal Melatonin Research, Zimmerman and Reiter combine optical ray tracing from lighting and ESR data from the medical industry to model for the first time the 3D free radical distributions generate by lighting sources in the human body. Read more »

Scientific Study Demonstrates Positive Effects of Daylight LED on Visual Comfort, Melatonin, Mood, Waking Performance, and Sleep

There has been an increase in research activity on the relationship between light and human bio-function, including a recent scientific study focusing on the effects of light spectrum on sleep quality, visual comfort, well-being and daytime alertness conducted by Prof. Christian Cajochen and his team at the University of Basel in Switzerland, entitled: "Effect of Daylight LED on Visual Comfort, Melatonin, Mood, Waking Performance, and Sleep." Read more »

Study Reveals How Age Affects Perception of White LED Light

Although LEDs are increasingly used in low-energy lighting and displays, consumers sometimes find their light harsh or unpleasant. Findings from a new study point to the need to take age-related perception differences into account when designing white LED lighting that is more pleasing to the eye. Read more »