This is just one of many fascinating questions being addressed at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center. It’s one of a growing number of similar ongoing studies around the world that are exploring the links between lighting and human health. This latest study in particular focuses on how light affects the body’s circadian system, which governs sleep and wake phases. The LRC’s Mariana Figueiro recently discussed the project on NPR Radio. The generally held theory is that bright white light with a bluish tinge is more stimulating, mimicking daylight conditions. Warmer, golden-tinged light, on the other hand, is more calming and prepares us for bed. Working with a geriatric psychiatrist, the researchers used this theory in an attempt to help sleep-deprived Alzheimer’s patients at New York’s Albany County Nursing Home. They fitted a tabletop with a flat TV screen emitting bright bluish light, hoping to simulate the effects of prolonged daylight exposure. This produced positive results, as patients spending significant time at the table are now back to regular sleep patterns, with an accompanying improvement in mood and behavior. On balance, light therapy experiments such as these are showing great promise for all sorts of human health concerns. The results will only improve as we move toward improved lighting technology and increased understanding of how it affects the human...

In one of the more creative LED strip light applications we’ve seen to date, one of our customers purchased and placed Flexfire LEDs on a remote control helicopter used for aerial photography, the Single Rotor 700 Class Photoship. The lights are used for orientation, to help determine which way the camera is pointed. This video details the use of Flexfire LEDs UL Listed UltraBright™ Strip Lights  in bright white, illustrating that they can easily be seen from up to 1,000 feet away even in bright daylight.  Importantly, our customer mentions having tried several different LED lighting products in the past, noting that Flexfire’s were the first to achieve the desired light quality and brightness. Check the video below to see it in action! )   Choose one of our convenient Flexfire LEDs strip light kits to suit the appropriate brightness, length and color of your LED display case lighting project:        ...

Based in Tamuning, Guam, Source Lighting and Electric  contacted us about installing LED display case lighting for a client in the duty-free shop at Guam International Airport. In principle, retail display cases are ideally suited for LED strip lights. Small, thin, and flexible, “strip” or “tape” lights feature adhesive backing and can be hidden away while still providing high quality illumination that presents products in their best light. There are, however, several different brands to choose from, with corresponding differences in quality and durability. The Source team immediately raised this concern, as they’d achieved mixed results with LED strip lights in prior installations. After some initial testing, they were impressed with our overall product quality and chose Flexfire LEDs UL Listed UltraBright™ Strip Lights in Warm White for this retail display case. The client is extremely happy with the results, and several other vendors in the duty-free shop have since inquired about similar installations.   Choose one of our convenient Flexfire LEDs strip light kits to suit the appropriate brightness, length and color of your LED display case lighting project:        ...

Nearly a decade ago, governments around the world began mandating a move away from traditional incandescent light bulbs as a way to help meet broader energy management goals. At the time, those curly white compact fluorescent bulbs seemed like the best alternative, but further research has revealed the dangers of fluorescent lighting in any form. All fluorescent lights – from industrial tubes to the spiraled household bulbs – contain mercury, and this is the main concern. Mercury is a heavy metal that is highly toxic in even tiny amounts, a serious deterrent to the adoption of fluorescents on a widespread consumer scale. Exposure to mercury is associated with a whole range of major health concerns, from neurological and behavioral disorders to liver, kidney, and central nervous system problems. Mercury exposure is thus an unavoidable concern with this technology, driving many towards complete replacement of fluorescent lights. Aside from the environmental effects of mining and manufacturing, there’s of course the danger associated with product breakage. As we all know, accidents happen, and when a fluorescent bulb or tube breaks, a small amount of mercury vapor is released. This small amount is so dangerous that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has filled an entire page on its website with detailed instructions on what to do should this happen to you. Several important steps should be taken immediately, a tall order given most will not have these steps available at their fingertips. Worse, liquid mercury can also be released, finding its way down through carpet fibers and cracks in concrete flooring. This liquid eventually evaporates into the atmosphere, causing local contamination and substantially increased health risks. Even if we manage to avoid breakage, there’s still a major problem when it comes time to dispose of fluorescent bulbs...

Use bright, durable, and energy-saving LED walkway lighting to illuminate indoor staircases, garden paths, office hallways, and other dimly lit traffic areas. In your home or office, having illuminated stairs is a dramatic aesthetic improvement that will also increase safety, especially for seniors and small children. Despite its benefits, this improvement has traditionally been overlooked due to concerns about increased energy consumption and difficult installation. LED walkway lighting can be used to illuminate your staircase while avoiding these concerns – Flexfire’s UL Listed LED strip lights use 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, generate virtually no heat, and are easy to install with versatile products such as UltraBright™ and ColorBright™ series LED strip lights. Further, high quality LED lights last up to 50,000 hours, meaning they’ll brighten your day for more than a decade. These benefits apply when using LEDs in other sorts of high traffic areas as well. LED walkway lighting can be used to beautifully accentuate home garden paths, office hallways and outdoor corporate plazas, with multiple color and brightness options to choose from. Wherever you go, use LEDs to light the way.   Choose one of our convenient Flexfire LEDs strip light kits to suit the appropriate brightness, length and color of your LED walkway lighting project:      ...