New polymer light may upstage LED's

ichthyoid

Trustee
Staff member
Supporting
Messages
4,385
Reaction score
2,562
Location
Cherokee
Here is some exciting news from the lighting technology sector. A new highly efficient (no heat) light source that can be produced in any shape, and is based on nano technology.

What caught my eye was that they can custom tailor the spectrum to exactly what is needed. Even the exact spectrum as sunlight!

a>
 
Id be interested to see the lumins/watt ratios of them.

But dont get all excited just yet, its at least 10-15 years before they will be available at any reasonable price.
 
EnderG60;817899 wrote: Id be interested to see the lumins/watt ratios of them.

But dont get all excited just yet, its at least 10-15 years before they will be available at any reasonable price.

I think they will move a little faster than that. Patents are only good for 17 years.

I agree on the lumens/watt question.

They do mention production beginning next year, but who knows what that really means?
 
ichthyoid;817886 wrote: Here is some exciting news from the lighting technology sector. A new highly efficient (no heat) light source that can be produced in any shape, and is based on nano technology.

What caught my eye was that they can custom tailor the spectrum to exactly what is needed. Even the exact spectrum as sunlight!

http://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/led-lights/2012/12/leds-face-fipel-challenge.html">http://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/led-lights/2012/12/leds-face-fipel-challenge.html</a>[/QUOTE]

Match sunlight? That is a bit misleading in my opinion. Sun light varies drastically dependent on environmental conditions. Things like water vapor, pollution, dust and ozone can Change the color spectrum and intensity.

My point is that it is misleading to say it can match sunlight. They may be able to match a condition found on one day but it is not like it would recreate the effects that natural sunlight would have on the creatures.

Having said all that, I still looks like a cool technology.
 
I guess this will be the technology that replace plasma lighting. Darn it, just now getting a handle on all this LED stuff.
 
Very cool! Maybe pars will be better than current LED's....and hopefully price.

LED's have been a disappointment, IMHO with SPS versus price versus MH.
Ridiculous as how many LED's are over tanks that cannot, but were promised, SPS Growth and colors....
 
mysterybox;818025 wrote: Very cool! Maybe pars will be better than current LED's....and hopefully price.

LED's have been a disappointment, IMHO with SPS versus price versus MH.
Ridiculous as how many LED's are over tanks that cannot, but were promised, SPS Growth and colors....

Come on over Ralph. Bring you camera. Then come back in 6 months and bring the camera again. Not saying you can't do better with MH but for a tank with no cal reactor and min dose I am pretty impressed with my growth.
 
rdnelson99;818026 wrote: Come on over Ralph. Bring you camera. Then come back in 6 months and bring the camera again. Not saying you can't do better with MH but for a tank with no cal reactor and min dose I am pretty impressed with my growth.

I was generalizing on LED's, I'm sure there are some specific areas of success.
 
mysterybox;818030 wrote: I was generalizing on LED's, I'm sure there are some specific areas of success.

I know. And for most of the people who comment on these post they are looking to have the exceptional tank and are willing to spend the cash on all the high dollar equipment. And there is nothing wrong with that. However I believe (but could be wrong) that many people like me read without posting. To many of them, like me, the goal isn't to have exceptional growth so they can frag and sell, the goal is to have a beautiful tank sitting next to the TV that they can watch at night. One that gets the "Oh wow!" Reaction from guest who know nothing about aquariums. Reading posts that say an adequate product just won't cut it may discourage them and make it seem unrealistic to think they could have what they are looking for at a reasonable price. Therefore, a statement lime "LED may be fine for what you are looking for but don't give me the results I want." May actually promote the hobby to a wider audience.
 
rdnelson99;818015 wrote: Match sunlight? That is a bit misleading in my opinion. Sun light varies drastically dependent on environmental conditions. Things like water vapor, pollution, dust and ozone can Change the color spectrum and intensity.

My point is that it is misleading to say it can match sunlight. They may be able to match a condition found on one day but it is not like it would recreate the effects that natural sunlight would have on the creatures.

Having said all that, I still looks like a cool technology.

Point taken Rich, however no synthetic light source really even comes close to the sun's inherent light spectrum. Sometimes this is referenced as at the equator, at sea level, during an equinox, on a cloudless day at noon.

Physicists sometimes refer to 'the solar constant and solar reference spectrum'. You can look these up in the CRC-Handbook of Chemistry & Physics. I have a copy if you like.

I believe that the inventor is merely stating that the output spectra may be customized to a specific standard, such as this, and might do so with more fidelity than any other synthetic means.
 
ichthyoid;818043 wrote: Point taken Rich, however no synthetic light source really even comes close to the sun's inherent light spectrum. Sometimes this is referenced as at the equator, at sea level, during an equinox, on a cloudless day at noon.

Physicists sometimes refer to 'the solar constant and solar reference spectrum'. You can look these up in the CRC-Handbook of Chemistry & Physics. I have a copy if you like.

I believe that the inventor is merely stating that the output spectra may be customized to a specific standard, such as this, and might do so with more fidelity than any other synthetic means.

I agree completely. I just feel that claims of that nature are a bit of smoke and mirrors. They could easily state that it could be configured to any spectrum. But they choose to make a claim that could be easily misinterpreted by many who may buy it because of that claim. In this particular case, I would suspect it is an attempt to encourage investment over sales and therefore the investor should has the burden of research to determine the viability of claims made.

But I am always up for checking out some cool new tech. :-). Who knows, maybe Apex will come up with some programming designed to meet the day to day solar conditions being experienced at a specific geographic location so our animals can feel right at home. :-)
 
rdnelson99;818045 wrote:
Who knows, maybe Apex will come up with some programming designed to meet the day to day solar conditions being experienced at a specific geographic location so our animals can feel right at home. :-)

They already do. It even takes moon stages into consideration and adjusts brightness.
 
I have a 180 watt Solaris LED with a controller that will simulate dawn to dusk to moonlight, even variation due to clouds passing if you like. It's pretty awesome!
 
Honestly, for some reason I don't really think LEDs will ever be "quite there"... It wouldn't surprise me if another technology got it right first.
B
 
Back
Top