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CREE LED lighting and how it works in conjunction with Lutron

Posted by Natalie Young

Apr 3, 2014 11:14:00 AM

cree-lutron-working-together

This article is the 3rd in a 4 part series on Prop 39 Funding. 
The California Clean Energy Jobs Act, known as Prop 39, was adopted in December 2013. The bill allocates funding to support energy efficiency and alternative energy projects, as well as improvements and repairs to help cut down on operating costs and improve health and safety conditions in public schools.
Over five years, schools will receive about $2.5 billion through the act.

 

Given recent research proving that a comfortable classroom is instrumental to student performance, many companies are striving to keep up with demand for the latest in technology to improve the learning environment. Two such innovators are CREE, Inc. and Lutron Electronics, developers of automated LED technology for classroom lighting solutions. Recognizing that proper lighting has been tied to increased student performance, higher standardized test scores, and reduced fatigue levels, these companies have partnered to design one the most ground-breaking illumination systems in the world. Each brings their own expertise to the table, combining state of the art LED lighting and “smart” technology that sensors room activity and light levels.

  • CREE LED Technology

A description of how CREE LED lighting works is central to understanding its advantages in educational institutions. The technology works by forcing electrical current through special energy conducting material. On the other end are light emitting diodes that become illuminated as part of the process. CREE excels at this innovative illumination solution, incorporating high efficiency lighting that’s eco-friendly and mercury free. LED technology comes with a low maintenance cost and, as such, is quickly replacing the wasteful incandescent bulbs and fluorescent bulbs of the past. 

  • Lutron Solutions for System Control

With an appreciation of how CREE LED lighting works to lower energy consumption and costs, you can see the benefits of programming its operations. Lutron has developed technology that enables users to gain control over their lighting, automating certain aspects of the solution while allowing for manual functions as necessary. The system incorporates sensors that measure occupancy in a classroom or read the illumination levels of natural light filtering in through the windows. These modules communicate with a ceiling mounted control box that dims or turns off the LED lighting in a room, thereby prolonging the life of the LED devices. Additional control boxes can be implemented that give users manual control to override the automatic operations.

  • Partners in Luminary Innovation


CREE and Lutron recently partnered to coordinate efforts to introduce proper lighting in schools, resulting in improved student performance, teacher job satisfaction, and reduced energy costs. Lutron’s innovative “smart” technology is embedded into CREE’s pioneering LEDs to create the most advanced lighting solution available. Students and staff are exposed to higher quality illumination, decreased eye strain, headaches and fatigue. Studies have also shown how CREE LED lighting works to increase productivity and elevate alertness levels, especially in mid-morning and mid-afternoon when the human body's circadian rhythms cause grogginess. 

At the same time, the product of the CREE - Lutron partnership has resulted in lowered energy costs for educational institutions where the technology has been implemented. Not only are electric bills lower, but the cost of broken bulbs and other maintenance expenses are reduced.

By combining the CREE's energy efficiency and high quality illumination LEDs with the innovative automation technology developed by Lutron, the companies have come together to create a superbly advanced lighting system. The benefits of installing these solutions in the classroom are an improved educational experience that's conducive to learning.

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Topics: cree, lutron, dimming, energy savings, fluorescent light alternative

How Many NASA Scientists Does It Take To Change a Light Bulb?

Posted by Matt Sedlock

Apr 23, 2013 4:00:00 AM

How many NASA scientists does it take to change a lightbulb resized 600If you’re really hoping for an answer to that question, we’re sorry to say that we’re going to have to disappoint you. At this point in time, not even NASA knows how many scientists it takes to change a light bulb in the International Space Station—but they’re working on it. Really!

As it turns out, lighting is a really big deal—even out in space. And there is increasing evidence that the kind of lighting astronauts are exposed to is affecting their sleeping patterns. For a group known as insomniacs in the first place, that’s not good news.

Actually, being able to track an astronaut’s fatigue problems to potential lighting issues is a good thing. That’s why NASA plans to swap out 85 fluorescent lights on the U.S. portion of the orbital lab and replace them with special diffused LEDs, which can filter light into different hues. They would provide white light during work hours, bluish light in the morning or when it’s important that astronauts wake up for an emergency, and reddish light to help them sleep. Whether changing out the bulbs will solve the problem remains to be seen.  But NASA isn’t the only organization focusing on changing light bulbs.

Researchers at Wake Forest University have developed a field-induced polymer elecroluminescent (FIPEL) lighting technology that silently gives off a soft, white glow, without the annoying hum and yellow tint of fluorescent bulbs or the sharp, bluish hue of LED light fixtures.

While FIPEL isn’t brand new technology, it hasn’t really emerged as a viable light source, yet. But keep your eyes open, because this technology is twice as efficient as CFL technology—without the hazardous materials those bulbs contain. It’s more akin to the efficiency of LED technology. But it has an advantage: it can be adjusted (in manufacturing) to give off the softer, white light that people prefer. There are some rumors that FIPEL lighting could be on the market sometime this year.

What does that mean for you? Should you be recommending this technology to your customers? It’s probably a bit early for that. But the fact is that light affects the way we live and work. And there are lots of commercial buildings that still use old fluorescent bulbs that have a negative impact on worker comfort—and productivity.  If you’ve got commercial clients who are still on the fluorescent bandwagon, shoot me a note for some ideas about solutions that can help them out.

We may not know how many NASA scientists it takes to change a light bulb. But at least we understand why they’re trying it!

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Topics: fluorescent light alternative, NASA lights, southern california lighting trends

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