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!

Benefits of LED: 10 reasons why LED lighting is on the rise

The LED lighting market was estimated to have grown by 50% between 2010 and 2011 according to a recent report by the Clean Revolution, which estimates that the industry will be worth more than $16 billion by the year 2014.

LED Car Park lighting on display in Sheffield

And if the recent showing at the LuxLive exhibition was anything to go by (read our account from the show back in November here), LED lighting is quickly becoming the most talked about new technology in the market.

Each lighting installation may be different, but here we explain why LEDs are superior in many ways to more traditional lighting solutions, and just why the LED lighting industry is one of the few bucking the current economic trend and growing year on year.

Efficiency

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, and is a technology that is said to date back as far as the 1920s, with the Russian Oleg Losev. LEDs as a light source are far more efficient than incandescent or fluorescent sources, due to their better use of power. The total power output of a light does not just include the visible light emitted, but also takes into account factors such as the amount of base power that is converted into excess heat. When it comes to replacing traditional light bulbs in the home for example they are difficult to handle because of the temperature - an example of how excess heat is to the detriment of the user. Now imagine that on an industrial scale and already one benefit of LED becomes clear. LED in fact operates best in cooler temperatures, and lighting manufacturers often design fittings with as minimal heat loss as possible in mind. LED lights are often better positioned than traditional alternatives also, and this is due to the fact that it is a directional light source, so minimal light pollution is caused by using LEDs and the targeted area receives the maximum amount of light. More on this in the environment section below.

Longevity

Hotels are just one of the industries utilising LED lighting

The long lifespan of LED lighting is down to its robust nature, as a solid-state light source the output of its light will degrade over time like any other, however with LEDs that amount of time can be as much as 80,000 hours. At this point the power of light emitted from the LED will be at around 75% of its total capacity but will continue at this level for another 20,000 hours before the light needs replacing. That works out as more than eleven years’ worth of light output, or based on an average day running lighting for twelve hours, more than 22 years’ worth. This is assuming that the lighting is installed in optimum conditions whereby factors such as temperature has been taken into account. This longevity also means the frequency in which LED lighting need be replaced is dramatically reduced when compared to CFL or HPS lighting, making further savings for the user on maintenance bills. Read more below on the savings LED can make.

Durability

Despite their compact size, LEDs are made to a high specification and good quality products are made to last. As well as their aforementioned longevity, LED lights are also durable with no filaments to burn out or overheat. High quality designs, particularly that of a UK manufacturer such as Gemma Lighting, make their fittings to a high specification that stands up to heavy scrutiny, and offer products with protection ratings of IP66, making them dust proof and resistant to heavy weather such as high winds and heavy downpours. In circumstances where lights are on a tall column, such as LED Street Lighting for example, the problem of vandalism regarding the actual light fitting may not seem such an issue. However for pathways and ceiling tiles this could play a part in a company’s decisions not to invest in a new raft of lighting solutions. But with the high standards of production LED lighting is actually quite safe from such hooliganism, and users can feel quite safe about installing LED lighting solutions. Due to all these factors combined, the maintenance om/index.html UK LED Lighting Manufacturer costs usually set by to replace faulty or flickering bulbs and repair or replace vandalised lights can be a thing of the past for lighting users switching to LED. Reductions in the tens of thousands of pounds have been achieved by those who have already done just that, and the rewards pay off from day one of the new installation.

Eco-friendly

LED lighting has drastically improved
this car park in Portsmouth

As well as being kind to the bank balances of users, LED lighting is far more environmentally friendly than traditional lighting setups. As mentioned already in this blog, LED lights emit less wasted heat energy and therefore reduce light pollution significantly when compared to other lighting choices. Take LED Street Lighting for example, where bright white light is directed in the appropriate angle enabling less light to overspill into neighbouring areas, particularly useful in this application as nearby residents do not suffer from intrusive light glare. Those who have made the switch to LED lighting have also seen dramatic reduction in their carbon emissions, saving tonnes of carbon waste every year. This, in fact, is the main driver for some making the change to LED, as new directives and policies are drawn up in line with national and global environmental policies. With no mercury involved in LEDs, as explained below, the disposal of LED lighting is also better on the environment.

Safety

The volatile nature of elements such as mercury can mean disposing of old lighting is a major problem, particularly for business users. Shedding several units of large, outdated lighting fittings is time-consuming and a poor use of funds for many companies already feeling the strain in current economic times. Disposals such as this must be done though if previous lighting contains high levels of mercury or lead, as they can be harmful if they are not dealt with correctly at the end of their life span. LEDs are far safer and more environmentally friendly as they contain no mercury and increasingly small amounts of lead. They can be disposed of and recycled more quickly and easily, but with their longevity you won’t have to worry about that for many years after installation.

Power

This Portsmouth street was vastly improved
in an LED Street Lighting council-backed trial

It is a myth attached to LED lighting that all these benefits surrounding lower carbon emissions and cheaper running costs must mean a weaker light. Many homeowners will be familiar with the patience required to wait for a domestic energy saving light bulb to power up to full brightness for example. However this is not true of LEDs - as well as an instant strike-up time, more on this below, they in fact have a very high lumen output, which means their power is equal to, and often greater than, similar lighting solutions available. The amount of lumens per watt on LEDs are also increasing, with some industry big-hitters claiming to have topped 250 l/w in the labs at the recent LuxLive exhibition. This was previously thought to be an area of weakness for the LED but progress in production and software design has meant this is no longer the case with high-end products on the market today.

Adaptable

LED is probably best known for televisions and mobile device backlighting. But with the increased 

specifications now available LEDs are being used in a variety of ways by a variety of people. You can find LED lighting in street lights, car parks and pathways, as well as in warehouses, cold stores and offices. Hospitals, universities, housing developments, police stations, supermarkets, restaurants – they are all seeing the benefits of LED. Available in a range of different fixtures and fittings, LED lighting now comes in all shapes and sizes and is ready for almost any application. Some weird and wacky ideas are being dreamt up too, but these shouldn't detract from what LED lighting is really about, a great way of keeping costs down and reducing the impact on the environment. Gemma Lighting offers high uniformity across many of its ranges, making the switch to LED as simple as possible.

Improved clarity

LED Street lighting can be found in Egypt,
the Falkland Islands and shown here in Dubai

As well as a high lumen output LED lighting also provides excellent colour rendering, making it ideal for instances where colour definition is crucial, such as shop windows, stalls and supermarkets. Hotels and restaurants can also benefit from this characteristic when attempting to set a certain mood in a particular room. The same is also true of security requirements, as the visual acuity of LED lighting is excellent, improving the clarity of pictures from CCTV cameras, again a perfect application of LED in areas such as warehouses or exterior storage facilities needing LED Flood Lighting.

Instant

Unlike the common energy saving light bulbs found across many homes today, as mentioned beforehand, LEDs do not take any time to get going. In fact that is a literal statement; LEDs have an instant strike up time of 100 nanoseconds. As well as adding to their energy efficiency this also means LEDs are excellent contributing partners to motion sensor technology – they will light as soon as movement is detected, and switch off as soon as that movement ceases. This reduces the effect that some current security systems are suffering from, whereby activation at the slightest movement becomes part of everyday life to home owners, defeating the object of having them as warning systems against crimes such as burglary. LEDs are making homes and business premises alike more secure.

Aesthetically pleasing

LED Flood lighting was chosen in the
re-design of the River Hull tidal barrier

An increasing amount of LED control technology is being produced to complement LED lighting, and that includes dimmable switches. This appeals further to those wishing to create a mood, as previously mentioned, or those with particular requirements to the level of lighting in any given room. Adding to their adaptability, this feature also shows the design benefits LED lighting can bring. LEDs are being used more and more for aesthetic measures as well as cost-cutting projects, and companies in the broadcasting and marine industries are among those putting this to good use. The more powerful, clear bright white light of LEDs is often the ideal companion to buildings of a more modern design, and with its durability and reliability LEDs are less likely to cause eye-sores and irregularities such as faulty bulbs or dim lit corridors.

So there we are - ten reasons why LED lighting is quickly becoming the norm across a range of applications. With the word spreading across the globe, and demand for high quality LED lighting products on the increase, the future is certainly bright for the world of LED lighting.

What are your thoughts on LEDs when compared to other lighting options? Let us know via the comments box below.