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    Rensselaer Polytech researchers demonstrate light measurement system at CES 2014

    Jan. 6, 2014
    As more people realize the significance of the link between light exposure and health, measuring personal light exposure will become important and the Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center is demonstrating a data gathering system based on Google Glass at CES.

    The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center (ERC) is using the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) as a stage to demonstrate a prototype personal light measurement system based on Google Glass. The system is designed to use an Android app to help people understand their circadian rhythms to improve heath, happiness, and productivity. LED-based lighting has the potential to provide the light exposure and spectrum to fill any void in a person's exposure to natural light that is ideally required for proper sleep cycles.

    Human-centric lighting or light-and-health topics have become increasingly significant relative to the evolving solid-state lighting industry as LEDs offer the unique ability to provide tunable spectrum. But as Mark Rea from RPI's Lighting Research Center (LRC) pointed out in a recent interview, the missing piece of the puzzle is the ability to track a person's exposure to light.

    Ironically, both the LRC and ERC are working on separate projects for a personal light measurement system. The ERC version being demonstrated at CES was funded in part by the National Science Foundation under their "Smart lighting systems that see and think" program.

    "We're excited about attending the 2014 International CES as part of the NSF cluster in Eureka Park, because it offers an unparalleled opportunity to raise the visibility of the center with global leaders in consumer hardware and software," said Silvia Mioc, director of industrial collaboration and innovation of the Smart Lighting ERC. "We are looking forward to giving consumers a peek at what the next exciting lighting applications will be and connecting with new companies to partner with the center, so that together we can make smart lighting a reality."

    The Google Glass design is intended to both monitor light exposure and a person's biometric signals. The Android app then delivers insight on personal health with the ultimate goal being better sleep cycles. Proper cycles result in better mood and productivity.