Products + Technology

Here’s an article I wrote for the October 2008 issue of Illuminate that talks about the C2C product certification program: In 2005, McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), founded by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart, launched the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) product certification program. The program resulted from manufacturer requests for a label that [...]

Hat tip to Jim Hutchison for digging up this gem! For me it was love at first sight with this product… DEMO/Design Clinic of Israel has created a small line of hand-made light fixtures made from old reclaimed plumbing parts, including a spigot that turns the light on and off. These KOZO lamps are designed [...]

There are a number of interesting new wireless products coming out this year. Here’s one: Leviton’s partnership with EnOcean, a developer of wireless building automation technology, has resulted in a new line of self-powered, wireless occupancy sensors, remote switches, wall switches and integrated wireless receivers that automatically turn lights on and off based on occupancy. [...]

PureSpectrum, Inc. will be launching a new line of high-performance compact fluorescents at Lightfair. The company says its new products are fully dimmable, priced affordably, have high power factor, turn on instantly and work in place of any traditional incandescent lamp. One of my biggest complaints about household CFLs is dimming issues, so I’ll definitely [...]

This year, I have the pleasure of joining Howard Wolfman, recently retired from OSRAM SYLVANIA and now principal of Lumispec Consulting, in presenting the “What’s New in Lamps and Ballasts” seminar at Lightfair International in New York City. The seminar (course #L09S22) will be held 4:30-6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 6. This seminar is a [...]

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) can be used for TVs, computer displays, cell phones and PDAs. These multi-layered devices produce light by running an electrical current through a specially engineered host material into which light-producing phosphorescent molecules are embedded or “doped.” The technology also holds significant potential as a general area light source, creating the potential [...]

How It’s Made is a TV series consisting of short 24-minute episodes showing how everyday products are made. While visiting the in-laws today, I caught a segment showing how pole outdoor luminaires are made at a manufacturing plant operated by Canadian manufacturer Lumec. I found it very interesting, and later found it on YouTube. Here [...]

ElectricTV.net, operated by NECA, has published a short video about hi-bay T5HO lighting here. It’s a little basic and attempts to characterize T5HO lighting as “new,” but has interesting visuals and makes a simple case for T5HO lighting. It makes no mention of high-performance T8, however, which is also suitable for many hi-bay lighting applications.

On the lighter side of things, here’s a fun little gadget: the “temperature controlled faucet light,” which activates based on water pressure and changes color based upon water temperature. Blue when the water is cold or simply turned on, and red when the water hits 89 degrees F. Would probably be a hit with kids [...]