Lumenique – Inside Solid-State Lighting

The MacAdam ellipse is a Standard Deviation Color Matching (SDCM) protocol for describing visibility of human observers of differences of sources, by how far they deviate from a reference color. Each ellipse represents a standard deviation from the reference (center) source. It is generally accepted that within 3 MacAdam ellipses, most observers cannot discern a difference between two sources. At 4 steps, a significant sampling of observers would see a color difference. At 7, virtually everyone will see a difference. For a more complete background, there are numerous sources describing these details, such as https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacAdam_ellipse. The shape of the ellipses varies by color, as human visual differentiation changes in both spectral sensitivity as well as range between sources.

With this, it would seem pretty straightforward that when someone claims their product, LED, or light sources fall within 2 or 3 steps, that it can be assumed that the difference between two sources from that provider will be unseen. Unfortunately, a common miss-interpretation and incorrect application of the MacAdam ellipse protocol creates an actual deviation that can be as much as double that stated. The illustration below shows how this happens. (more…)

The Adventure with Architectural SSL Magazine

In 2006, I pitched the idea of a magazine dedicated to Solid-State lighting technology as it applies directly to architecture with the owners of Construction Business Media. After a few pizza lunches and more convincing, they moved to creation of Architectural SSL magazine in time for Lightfair 2007 with its debut issue.

Since that debut 12 years ago, I have participated in editorial discussion and planning, contributed content to every issue with a market setting feature, a closing remarks Op Ed, white papers, judeged products, provided reviews of various products and provided general commentary on the progress of SSL into the lighting market. (more…)

Announcement

After significant evaluation of successes, personal goals, market direction, costs of operation, and future trends emerging – I have decided to make large scale changes to how we participate in the solid-state lighting market.

Pursuant to this, as of March 22, 2019, Lumenique, LLC has begun a complete overhaul/re-casting, starting with  the closing of our prototype and research facility in Menomonee Falls, WI effective immediately. This includes Tasca ending its 9-year pursuit of light cure products for curing fiberglass resins.

The principles of Lumenique, LLC/Tasca will be relocating to a new facility in Elgin Illinois, beginning mid- April. Until then, Lumenique is closed for business to focus on the monumental task of moving house and shop facilities. Both Angie and I can be reached by email and cell phone, should anyone wish to make contact, regardless of status of the business itself.

I will continue as Editor for Architectural SSL magazine and contributor to NZB magazine for Construction Business Media through the transition and beyond.

More details will be announced as things gel, and our new direction solidifies.

Cheers,

Kevin Willmorth 

We’re making changes and taking a fresh approach for spring. That means we have an assortment of items that are surplus to our changing requirements, so are offering them up for sale at mega-low prices. This includes test meters and lights alike. Everything is in good to excellent condition, some old, some new, no garbage in the lot. Our need to clear this inventory is your gain!

Take a look at the Tasca Store!

He who hesitates are lost! (applicable misquote from JosephAddison’s play Cato (1712)

Flicker is a persistent and frustrating issue, and has been since the first fluorescent and HID lamps were put in service. Complaints of headache, migraine, feelings of ill health, and eye strain are the most common complaints. For some, flicker at 100Hz (Europe/Asia) or 120Hz (North America) is debilitating. Studies have shown that flicker creates reading errors from rapid eye movement changes under sources flickering at under 200Hz – NCBI The effects of flicker on eye movement control, Energy Focus Presentation ‘Lighting Flicker: Effects of Flicker in the Classroom’, including roadway effects – Lux ‘Street light flicker is a new hazard, says watchdog’, CBC – ‘Calgary seizure sufferer worries flickering LED street light will break down again‘.

I will not go into a great deal of detail here on the effects of flicker on human health or the environment. There are hundreds of articles on this topic, by experts in human (more…)

I’ve posted this sort of content before and will do so again. This is the sort of thing I cobble together from found objects, spare parts, experiments in fabrication, and other brain re-setting exercises.

My center all touch-stone and tribute to the mechanical arts that compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats every year.

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