10 Unusual uses for LED lighting

LED lighting is fast becoming the most popular new technology in the industry - with applications ranging from street lights to solar-powered bollards.

With greater efficiency and longer lasting lifespan, more and more business users from all walks of life are discovering how much they can save in energy bills, maintenance costs and carbon emissions by switching to LED lighting solutions.

But every now and again the flexible and adaptable nature of LED sees it reach new corners of the world, being put into practice for the least expected purposes.

Here we look at ten unusual uses for LED lighting, from eyelashes to toilets...

1) LED sculptures

The bright white light produced by LEDs has a clear visual appeal. Both to the human eye and to camera lenses, LED lighting can change any landscape and with varying colour options available today artistic merit is a use LED is becoming more and more regularly used for. Makoto Tojiki is an artist from Japan famous for creating breathtaking images using LED to create sculptures of human and animal figures, like the image here titled 'Hope'.





2) LED eyelashes


Another brainchild of far eastern design, LED eyelashes tick the box for those really wanting to make a unique fashion statement. They are designed to draw immediate attention to the eyes, and come with sensors that detect pupil movement and control the LEDs accordingly and can also be designed to incorporate MP3 headphones.

3) LED goalposts
An idea that is very much in the early stages of its development, but the early signs for LEDs in goalposts are certainly visually striking. This example was a community and charity project in East London, but the advantages of having facilities such as this in many areas across the country, particularly inner city locations, for local communities and young people to use are obvious. Watch this space.

4) LED studio lighting

Whenever the capture of moving images is a consideration lighting inevitably comes into play for film and television companies. The last thing anyone in the media production profession wants is for all their hard work to be undone by poor lighting which turns hours, weeks and months of shooting into wasted time. The high lumen output of LED flood lighting ensures that cameras can pick up excellent visual accuracy, and colour rendition is also improved, as in the case of Renegade Pictures. When filming new series Car SOS, where much-loved classic cars get the restoration their owners have always wanted, Renegade installed LED Flood Lights from Gemma Lighting to improve the lighting for the show and bring out the best in the old motors, whilst reducing costs in energy usage.

5) Built-in to tables

Some call it a gimmick, some say it is unnecessary, others are just plain confused. LED lights built-in to tables come in all shapes and sizes, and whilst some, like this Union Jack design, appear to have been thought through, others can be rather - unstable. Mixing these LED tables with motion sensor technology is one way in which this idea is developing.

6) LED shoelaces

Remember the fashion trend for light-up children's trainers that flashed when kids walked? Well now you can go one further with LED shoelaces. For those who really want to catch the eye with their choice of footwear these LED shoelaces are most commonly purchased by party-goers and followers of fashion but they also have benefits for those jogging or cycling at night with flash functions and long battery lives.

7) Tidal barrier lighting

From something small to something really big, and LED Flood Lights that assist in the running of vital facilities. In 2010 the River Hull tidal barrier underwent a refurbishment that centred around a more modern design, and cool crisp lighting was required to suit. UK Manufacturer Gemma Lighting assisted with their Spitfire LED Flood Light which not only gave a great appearance but also reduced energy costs and CO2 emissions.

8) LED golf balls

Out on the course and you've landed amongst the trees. The long day is drawing to a close and light is dwindling fast. You thought your brightly coloured ball would be ideal for this very situation - but you still cannot find this particular needle in this particular haystack. LED golf balls are the answer to golfers' prayers. Set to either glow or flash, LED golf balls have obvious benefits for those finding themselves a little too far from the green.

9) Directional LED use aids animal habitat

Lighting considerations vary wildly from site to site, and often the direction of light is superseded by longevity and light output. But where habitats for local wildlife are concerned, any intrusive stray lighting can have damaging effects. At Falmouth University's Tremough Campus, their LED bollard lights provided by Gemma Lighting have shield guards placed in one side in order to prevent light spilling into nearby areas where a rare breed of bat lives, causing minimal disruption to the animals whilst keeping the students safe along the well-lit pathways round campus.

10) LEDs in toilets






Yes you read it correctly, and no your eyes do not deceive you. Those are indeed LED lights found inside toilets. This bizarre idea is one of the many examples which show that in some cases, the more traditional uses for LED lighting are the best...






What unusual places have you seen LED lighting in? Let us know in the comment box below!