HI-LED · Human-centric Intelligent LED engines for the take up of SSL in Europe

The HILED project will advance the state of the art of Solid State Lighting (SSL) through research on innovative light engines that take advantage of full control of light. The incorporated intelligence enables responsive fine tuning of spectral properties in real time, as well as precise dimming capabilities. These smart engines with added intelligence offer natural illumination patterns that respect our biological circadian rhythms. This can be done very accurately by spectral selection or even through Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) adaptation by using the most efficient combination of white LEDs, coloured LEDs, and OLEDs as building blocks of the light source, while satisfying different constraints on energy efficiency. Markets such as horticulture and greenhouses would also benefit from fully controllable light engines, whose spectral content can be dynamically adapted to the plant needs in real time, through the establishment of algorithmic strategies and feed-back systems that control the growth process. Besides the spectral effects on leaf photosynthesis there are more important spectral effects on morphology and development of plants. Morphological effects directly influence the ornamental value of cut flowers and pot plants and therefore their economic value. Furthermore, these morphological effects may strongly influence the growth rate of the plants. Last but not least the choice for light spectrum may affect the production of secondary metabolites. These metabolites can have human health promoting effects (e.g. anti-oxidants, vitamins, etc).Additionally, these light engines are particularly well suited for museum lighting, where careful selection of spectral content may achieve an optimal balance between energy efficiency, quality of light and art conservation. The project aims overall to foster lighting systems, which can communicate through intelligent protocols and interact with humans in real time, while proving cost-effective solutions