While the Soviet fencer's death at the Rome World Championships in 1982 shocked the sport to its core, the fatal accident proved to be a turning point in making fencing safer.
Smirnov was fencing West Germany's Matthias Behr in Rome. Both stood over six feet tall and were described by coaches and team mates as massively strong and fast, their attacks akin to an oncoming locomotive.
They attacked each other simultaneously in an attempt to establish an advantage, or what is known in fencing as the "right of way", Smirnov's former coach Alexander Perekalsky, 87, told Reuters in a recent telephone interview from Moscow.
"Smirnov tried to block Behr's blade with an upward parry, that Behr avoided. Both collided and Behr's blade broke on Smirnov's chest and by inertia he continued forward.
"The broken blade hits a brand new mask and goes through, hitting him above the left eye and into his brain," he added.
Smirnov died some 10 days later after being taken off life support, his death mourned by the entire fencing world.
Behr left fencing in the aftermath of the accident but returned to win the foil silver at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and headed Germany's national fencing training center in Tauberbischofsheim.
Ioan Pop, the international technical director for fencing's governing body (FIE), said the current standard of safety in the sport owed much to the accident 30 years ago.
"It was absolutely the accident and the death of Smirnov in 1982, in Rome," said Romanian Pop, who won two Olympic team bronze medals in saber.
While safety is paramount, the real challenge is to make sure spectators can see the action, no easy task given the tip of a fencing blade is believed to be the second-fastest moving object at the Olympics after the marksman's bullet.
Massive floor lights wrapping around the fencing area will flash when the wireless electronic scoring equipment is set off by a touch either on or off the valid target.
Slow-motion instant replay for judges, and new for Olympic spectators this year, makes decisions more transparent. That is a big improvement from the past when national interests very often hid behind the subjective reasoning of the referee.
And in foil, the lightest of the three weapons that include epee and saber, the bib or area below the chin, is now a valid target, increasing the pace of a bout.
In an era of Ballistic grade fabric for uniforms, stronger steel, more rigid masks that stand up to 12kg punch tests, the banning of the running attack in saber, safety has improved and injuries severe enough to knock a competitor out of competition remain low.
Despite the dramatic images of blistering clashes with swooping metal weapons and ear piercing screams of aggression, the sport is significantly safer than American football, soccer or basketball, according to a five-year study by the United States Fencing Association published in 2008.
When compared with a database of collegiate sports injuries, the USFA study led by chief medical officer Peter Harmer found injury rates 50 times greater in soccer than in fencing.
2012年6月26日 星期二
2012年6月24日 星期日
Wrong signals for city traffic
The 'smart' traffic signals installed in Kolkata two years ago aren't so smart any more. The area traffic control (ATC) system malfunctions more often than it works these days, leaving motorists baffled and some roads perpetually choked.
The police blame the implementing agency, Keltron, a Kerala state PSU, while Keltron blames the never-ending roadside 'developments' that wreak havoc on the cables. Unless the agencies involved get together and identify the source of the problem, the multi-crore system will continue to fail the city.
Kolkata Police had inaugurated ATS with much fanfare in 2010 after conducting trials, which is why they are finding it difficult to explain the repeated glitches in the system.
Keltron officials insist their system is not to blame. They say that the recurrent digging and raising of pavements all across the city damages the cables, throwing the traffic signal system haywire. Keltron points out that Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has been raising pavements and erecting trident street lamps, "often causing irreparable damage to cables". "We have to change the cables almost every three months," said senior Keltron officer Pradip.
The traffic police, however, blame the Kerala PSU. "There are a lot of glitches in the system. So the project is far from over even though all 95 signal-crossings have been networked with the central processing unit. Keltron, the company entrusted with putting the system in place, has let us down," said a senior police officer, adding that the "lack of technological changes" prevents signals at several key intersections from working in sync. "We are trying our best to streamline them," said joint commissioner (traffic) Supratim Sarkar.
The signal cycle on a particular stretch depends on the feed from either the 'ground sensor loop' (sensors embedded under the road surface or pavement) or the 'virtual loop' (camera images of traffic at a particular point). These feeds are analysed by the central processing unit at traffic headquarters, based on which the computer sets the best possible signal cycle.
The ATC system required an overhaul of the entire cable network on a particular grid, which Keltron said got repeatedly damaged. Moreover, there is no uniformity as far as signals are concerned. Different companies have set up different signals. So dealing with each signal proved to be a new challenge, a Keltron official said.
ATC has three modes - automatic, manual and cycle-optimization mode. Going on manual mode not only affects the signal of a particular crossing, but has a chain effect on the traffic flow of other crossings.
Keltron officials said that the traffic police must graduate to automatic signal completely. Unless, there is an emergency, manual mode is redundant, they say. The more you change a signal manually, higher the chances of human errors. And if this continues, traffic snarls on such roads become inevitable, said an official.
The glitches force traffic to halt at every signal, just as in the pre-ATC days. "There is hardly any uninterrupted flow of traffic as we were promised. I keep getting stalled at every signal. I don't find an iota of change after this so-called 'generation change' in the signalling system," said Kallol Mukherjee, a director with a liquor manufacturing company.
The Area Traffic Control project is part of a scheme that has several components other than the signal system - a GIS-based automatic vehicle tracking system, a distress-call response system and surveillance on public places. The entire project cost is Rs 20 crore.
The police blame the implementing agency, Keltron, a Kerala state PSU, while Keltron blames the never-ending roadside 'developments' that wreak havoc on the cables. Unless the agencies involved get together and identify the source of the problem, the multi-crore system will continue to fail the city.
Kolkata Police had inaugurated ATS with much fanfare in 2010 after conducting trials, which is why they are finding it difficult to explain the repeated glitches in the system.
Keltron officials insist their system is not to blame. They say that the recurrent digging and raising of pavements all across the city damages the cables, throwing the traffic signal system haywire. Keltron points out that Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has been raising pavements and erecting trident street lamps, "often causing irreparable damage to cables". "We have to change the cables almost every three months," said senior Keltron officer Pradip.
The traffic police, however, blame the Kerala PSU. "There are a lot of glitches in the system. So the project is far from over even though all 95 signal-crossings have been networked with the central processing unit. Keltron, the company entrusted with putting the system in place, has let us down," said a senior police officer, adding that the "lack of technological changes" prevents signals at several key intersections from working in sync. "We are trying our best to streamline them," said joint commissioner (traffic) Supratim Sarkar.
The signal cycle on a particular stretch depends on the feed from either the 'ground sensor loop' (sensors embedded under the road surface or pavement) or the 'virtual loop' (camera images of traffic at a particular point). These feeds are analysed by the central processing unit at traffic headquarters, based on which the computer sets the best possible signal cycle.
The ATC system required an overhaul of the entire cable network on a particular grid, which Keltron said got repeatedly damaged. Moreover, there is no uniformity as far as signals are concerned. Different companies have set up different signals. So dealing with each signal proved to be a new challenge, a Keltron official said.
ATC has three modes - automatic, manual and cycle-optimization mode. Going on manual mode not only affects the signal of a particular crossing, but has a chain effect on the traffic flow of other crossings.
Keltron officials said that the traffic police must graduate to automatic signal completely. Unless, there is an emergency, manual mode is redundant, they say. The more you change a signal manually, higher the chances of human errors. And if this continues, traffic snarls on such roads become inevitable, said an official.
The glitches force traffic to halt at every signal, just as in the pre-ATC days. "There is hardly any uninterrupted flow of traffic as we were promised. I keep getting stalled at every signal. I don't find an iota of change after this so-called 'generation change' in the signalling system," said Kallol Mukherjee, a director with a liquor manufacturing company.
The Area Traffic Control project is part of a scheme that has several components other than the signal system - a GIS-based automatic vehicle tracking system, a distress-call response system and surveillance on public places. The entire project cost is Rs 20 crore.
2012年6月18日 星期一
Lighting the way for better bulbs
John Goscha’s first start-up out of Babson College, Ideapaint, made it possible to put a whiteboard on any surface. His new venture, Lucidity Lights, wants to persuade consumers to put energy-efficient, inexpensive light bulbs into any socket.
The ultra-quiet company, with offices in Cambridge and a lab in Woburn, has raised more than a million dollars so far from angel investors, Goscha says, and has brought on board R&D veterans from General Electric and Osram Sylvania.
Goscha says that after leaving Ideapaint in mid-2010, he started thinking about the lighting market, and federal regulations that will start phasing out incandescent bulbs in October.
“When else in my lifetime will there be a multi-billion-dollar market open up due to federal regulations?” Goscha asked.
And, he says, the alternatives available to consumers aren’t very appealing — those spiral-shaped compact fluorescent bulbs, or more expensive LED-based bulbs.
“We talked to 20,000 consumers by standing in the lighting aisle of Home Depot and doing phone and Internet surveys,” Goscha says. “The number one thing they don’t like about compact fluorescents is the color of the light — it’s harsh — and the number two is the delay in start time. People are used to having a light bulb that just works.”
Goscha says that Lucidity is developing a bulb that will be shaped like the incandescents you know and love but use about 80 percent less energy. “It gives off the light color that people like, and it’s dimmable,” he says. “It will be inexpensive and have a longer life than a compact fluorescent.”
Goscha doesn’t want to talk about the company’s approach. “We’re filing patents now,” he says. But several people familiar with the company say it is working on a kind of magnetic induction lamp, a technology that has been around for decades but which has not seen commercial success. These kinds of lamps produce a magnetic field that excites mercury inside the bulb. The mercury produces ultraviolet light, which is converted to visible light by a phosphor coating inside the bulb.
One challenge, says Rob Day of Black Coral Capital, is getting the power electronics that supply electricity to be small enough to fit inside a standard bulb shape. “There’s just not a lot of real estate there in which to hide all of the electronics,” he said.
Another challenge, Day says, is “the consumer lighting market is so crowded, and it’s really hard to break into.”
Of course, you could say the same about the paint business, where Ashland-based Ideapaint has made a pretty significant splash. As with Ideapaint, Lucidity is working on a product that “will be on the shelves of the Lowe’s and Home Depots of the world,” Goscha says.
The company consists of Goscha and seven PhDs, he says, including Jakob Maya, a Sylvania veteran who is VP of development and manufacturing, and Victor Roberts, a former GE exec who is VP of technology.
The state’s venture capital arm, the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation, is adopting a new name: MassVentures.
“There were too many similar acronyms out there, like the MTTC and the MTC,” said president Jerry Bird, referring to the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. “And we just think MassVentures better describes what we do, and who we’re serving.”
“What we want to do is complement what the private sector is doing,” Bird says. “I think our role is to go in with the angel groups, help capitalize the deal appropriately, and then help the company transition from that backing to a being venture-backed company.”
The ultra-quiet company, with offices in Cambridge and a lab in Woburn, has raised more than a million dollars so far from angel investors, Goscha says, and has brought on board R&D veterans from General Electric and Osram Sylvania.
Goscha says that after leaving Ideapaint in mid-2010, he started thinking about the lighting market, and federal regulations that will start phasing out incandescent bulbs in October.
“When else in my lifetime will there be a multi-billion-dollar market open up due to federal regulations?” Goscha asked.
And, he says, the alternatives available to consumers aren’t very appealing — those spiral-shaped compact fluorescent bulbs, or more expensive LED-based bulbs.
“We talked to 20,000 consumers by standing in the lighting aisle of Home Depot and doing phone and Internet surveys,” Goscha says. “The number one thing they don’t like about compact fluorescents is the color of the light — it’s harsh — and the number two is the delay in start time. People are used to having a light bulb that just works.”
Goscha says that Lucidity is developing a bulb that will be shaped like the incandescents you know and love but use about 80 percent less energy. “It gives off the light color that people like, and it’s dimmable,” he says. “It will be inexpensive and have a longer life than a compact fluorescent.”
Goscha doesn’t want to talk about the company’s approach. “We’re filing patents now,” he says. But several people familiar with the company say it is working on a kind of magnetic induction lamp, a technology that has been around for decades but which has not seen commercial success. These kinds of lamps produce a magnetic field that excites mercury inside the bulb. The mercury produces ultraviolet light, which is converted to visible light by a phosphor coating inside the bulb.
One challenge, says Rob Day of Black Coral Capital, is getting the power electronics that supply electricity to be small enough to fit inside a standard bulb shape. “There’s just not a lot of real estate there in which to hide all of the electronics,” he said.
Another challenge, Day says, is “the consumer lighting market is so crowded, and it’s really hard to break into.”
Of course, you could say the same about the paint business, where Ashland-based Ideapaint has made a pretty significant splash. As with Ideapaint, Lucidity is working on a product that “will be on the shelves of the Lowe’s and Home Depots of the world,” Goscha says.
The company consists of Goscha and seven PhDs, he says, including Jakob Maya, a Sylvania veteran who is VP of development and manufacturing, and Victor Roberts, a former GE exec who is VP of technology.
The state’s venture capital arm, the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation, is adopting a new name: MassVentures.
“There were too many similar acronyms out there, like the MTTC and the MTC,” said president Jerry Bird, referring to the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. “And we just think MassVentures better describes what we do, and who we’re serving.”
“What we want to do is complement what the private sector is doing,” Bird says. “I think our role is to go in with the angel groups, help capitalize the deal appropriately, and then help the company transition from that backing to a being venture-backed company.”
2012年6月17日 星期日
Govt to launch subsidy program for energy-efficient lighting products
China's lighting suppliers producing light-emitting diodes (LED) and energy-saving products are expected to receive a huge subsidy, which experts said yesterday will speed up the industry's consolidation.
The central government is set to unveil a subsidy program worth 2.2 billion yuan ($346 million) in early July to promote the use of energy-saving lamps and LED lighting, China Business Journal reported over the weekend, quoting insiders in the lighting industry.
The subsidy for the lighting industry is part of a national subsidy plan involving 26.5 billion yuan in total for consumption of household electrical appliances, aimed at expanding domestic demand and boosting energy conservation. The plan was disclosed by the State Council on May 16.
"Such a large subsidy will speed up the consolidation of the lighting industry, while some small and medium-sized LED companies will be possibly forced to shut down," said Wang Hong, director of the Engineering Research Center for Semiconductor Lighting at South China University of Technology.
Wang noted that large lighting producers with advanced technology in LED and energy conservation will benefit the most from the supportive program, because prices of energy-saving lamps will be lowered with the subsidies, which will enhance their competitiveness.
According to the 12th five-year plan (2011-15) for the semiconductor lighting sector released by the Ministry of Science and Technology in May, the value of LED lighting industry will reach 500 billion yuan by 2015, and the authorities will foster the development of a few large companies with core technologies. By 2015, there will be a maximum of 30 leading LED companies in the country.
The Guangzhou-based Information Times newspaper reported earlier this month that the country now has over 8,000 LED companies, with many small and medium-sized companies on the verge of closure due to intensified competition.
"Though the subsidies will help cut the prices of LED lamps, I don't think the sales will rise on the whole, due to severe overcapacity in the sector," said Huang Feng, a salesman at the Shanghai Hufan Lamps Co.
The newest LED tennis lighting packages from Access Fixtures achieve optimal playing conditions for tennis while maintaining consideration for sustainability. LED technology saves massive amounts of energy for customers and produces beautiful and even light across the playing area. Access Fixtures provides the latest energy efficient lighting technology, while dramatically reducing its clients' costs.
"LED technology can achieve amazing light levels," said Access Fixtures Lighting Specialist, Steven Rothschild. He continued, "Our New LED lighting systems are the perfect marriage of functionality and sustainability."
The low energy requirements and high light levels are not only great for tennis, but they are also great for the environment. Each LED fixture produces 12,825 lumens using only 171 watts; that's an incredible 75 lumens per watt. Access Fixtures tennis court systems featuring Toshiba LED technology are rated for 50,000 hours, meaning you have a long lasting solution with years of payback. The quality, efficiency, and low prices make Access Fixtures the foremost choice for sports lighting in public, commercial and private facilities.
The central government is set to unveil a subsidy program worth 2.2 billion yuan ($346 million) in early July to promote the use of energy-saving lamps and LED lighting, China Business Journal reported over the weekend, quoting insiders in the lighting industry.
The subsidy for the lighting industry is part of a national subsidy plan involving 26.5 billion yuan in total for consumption of household electrical appliances, aimed at expanding domestic demand and boosting energy conservation. The plan was disclosed by the State Council on May 16.
"Such a large subsidy will speed up the consolidation of the lighting industry, while some small and medium-sized LED companies will be possibly forced to shut down," said Wang Hong, director of the Engineering Research Center for Semiconductor Lighting at South China University of Technology.
Wang noted that large lighting producers with advanced technology in LED and energy conservation will benefit the most from the supportive program, because prices of energy-saving lamps will be lowered with the subsidies, which will enhance their competitiveness.
According to the 12th five-year plan (2011-15) for the semiconductor lighting sector released by the Ministry of Science and Technology in May, the value of LED lighting industry will reach 500 billion yuan by 2015, and the authorities will foster the development of a few large companies with core technologies. By 2015, there will be a maximum of 30 leading LED companies in the country.
The Guangzhou-based Information Times newspaper reported earlier this month that the country now has over 8,000 LED companies, with many small and medium-sized companies on the verge of closure due to intensified competition.
"Though the subsidies will help cut the prices of LED lamps, I don't think the sales will rise on the whole, due to severe overcapacity in the sector," said Huang Feng, a salesman at the Shanghai Hufan Lamps Co.
The newest LED tennis lighting packages from Access Fixtures achieve optimal playing conditions for tennis while maintaining consideration for sustainability. LED technology saves massive amounts of energy for customers and produces beautiful and even light across the playing area. Access Fixtures provides the latest energy efficient lighting technology, while dramatically reducing its clients' costs.
"LED technology can achieve amazing light levels," said Access Fixtures Lighting Specialist, Steven Rothschild. He continued, "Our New LED lighting systems are the perfect marriage of functionality and sustainability."
The low energy requirements and high light levels are not only great for tennis, but they are also great for the environment. Each LED fixture produces 12,825 lumens using only 171 watts; that's an incredible 75 lumens per watt. Access Fixtures tennis court systems featuring Toshiba LED technology are rated for 50,000 hours, meaning you have a long lasting solution with years of payback. The quality, efficiency, and low prices make Access Fixtures the foremost choice for sports lighting in public, commercial and private facilities.
2012年6月14日 星期四
LED Standardization Alliance Program and LED Product Line
Noribachi, a leading LED technology company, announces NORImark. A product line and LED alliance program, NORImark aims to standardize LED lighting while empowering the lighting industry with state-of-the-art, market-ready LED solutions.
Currently, many challenges exist within the developing LED lighting market, including lack of engineering resources, lengthy product testing and certification lead times, and prohibitive product development costs. In response, Noribachi has made its acclaimed LED products available to all mainstream lighting channels, allowing anyone to immediately go to market with a full LED product line.
The NORImark product line is a robust set of hundreds of light modules and complete light engines crafted in hundreds of different geometries able to upgrade any existing luminaire to LED. Noribachi uses LEDs from the leading suppliers including Cree, Nichia, Osram and Philips in NORImark products. All NORImark products have been comprehensively tested and certified, including UL and DLC.
Noribachi's extensive experience of selling to the end-user informs several support services for partner companies. These include supply chain support, product qualification support, engineering services, and access to sales collateral and marketing strategies. With over four thousand LED deals with numerous Fortune 500 companies, Noribachi has gleaned valuable knowledge of the market, allowing it to catalyze LED sales for NORImark partners.
NORImark has received an overwhelmingly positive response. Noribachi is pleased to announce that numerous lighting companies from leading components distributors to lighting manufacturers to independent sales reps have signed up to become NORImark product partners, creating a solid network across the entire value chain.
"LEDs are quickly becoming the dominant lighting source, yet accessing the technology is financially prohibitive and resource intensive, relegating most lighting stakeholders to the sidelines. NORImark's goal is to level the playing field and make LED technology and product available to everyone with very low risk and low investment. Now there's no reason not to do LED," says Celestyna Brozek, VP of Marketing at Noribachi.
Joining Norimark means joining a community of industry leaders intent on driving LED forward and minimizing the inherent challenges of mainstreaming a nascent technology. The ease of joining NORImark is intentional, meant to reflect the ease which NORImark brings to selling LED. For more details on joining NORImark, please contact Noribachi.
Currently, many challenges exist within the developing LED lighting market, including lack of engineering resources, lengthy product testing and certification lead times, and prohibitive product development costs. In response, Noribachi has made its acclaimed LED products available to all mainstream lighting channels, allowing anyone to immediately go to market with a full LED product line.
The NORImark product line is a robust set of hundreds of light modules and complete light engines crafted in hundreds of different geometries able to upgrade any existing luminaire to LED. Noribachi uses LEDs from the leading suppliers including Cree, Nichia, Osram and Philips in NORImark products. All NORImark products have been comprehensively tested and certified, including UL and DLC.
Noribachi's extensive experience of selling to the end-user informs several support services for partner companies. These include supply chain support, product qualification support, engineering services, and access to sales collateral and marketing strategies. With over four thousand LED deals with numerous Fortune 500 companies, Noribachi has gleaned valuable knowledge of the market, allowing it to catalyze LED sales for NORImark partners.
NORImark has received an overwhelmingly positive response. Noribachi is pleased to announce that numerous lighting companies from leading components distributors to lighting manufacturers to independent sales reps have signed up to become NORImark product partners, creating a solid network across the entire value chain.
"LEDs are quickly becoming the dominant lighting source, yet accessing the technology is financially prohibitive and resource intensive, relegating most lighting stakeholders to the sidelines. NORImark's goal is to level the playing field and make LED technology and product available to everyone with very low risk and low investment. Now there's no reason not to do LED," says Celestyna Brozek, VP of Marketing at Noribachi.
Joining Norimark means joining a community of industry leaders intent on driving LED forward and minimizing the inherent challenges of mainstreaming a nascent technology. The ease of joining NORImark is intentional, meant to reflect the ease which NORImark brings to selling LED. For more details on joining NORImark, please contact Noribachi.
2012年6月13日 星期三
Led Lighting - Technology With a Bright Future
"We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology." Dr Carl Sagan.
How many Chinamen does it take to change a light bulb? Well the way technology is developing, light bulbs may not have to be changed at all in future!
Providing they're LED of course!
In the end it all boils down to energy management. Whether we like it or not, this is the immediate challenge for South Africans today. If we fail to tap proactively into alternative energy solutions, we'll suffer increasing inconvenience and find ourselves in financial hot water sooner than later.
In the residential domain, lighting may not be the primary energy consumer. Hot water, cooking and space heating comprise the bulk of your electricity bill. However, in the commercial and industrial sectors lighting can easily take up a massive portion of the electricity account.
Enter the light emitting diode ... latest warrior of the light!
They've been winking at us for years and by now everyone has come into contact with LED technology. For years we've seen indicator lights on TVs, sound systems and electronic systems, Christmas lights and more recently car tail and headlights. Over recent years solar powered traffic lights and billboards have made their appearance, using LED lights which come in a range of colours. Lately LED technology has taken a step up to what are now termed high-powered LEDs.
These include powerful floodlights and hi-bay lighting used in large warehouses and which use a fraction of the electrical energy, but deliver the same lux levels.
LEDs are clearly heading for a brighter future, and apart from specialised applications, nothing can compete with them!
Unique to LED lighting is the fact that the source of light is not a filament, gas discharge, or arc, but rather a semiconductor.
Unlike an incandescent light bulb, light in the LED arises in a tiny photonic cloud between the positive and the negative electrodes of the diode. The power to this LED is delivered by a power supply or a driver that has to be 'intelligent'. This is what actually determines the output and durability of an LED.
For electrical contractors, saving energy by replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient light sources has become common practice in recent years. ESKOM recently spent millions on giving out free compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to the public in exchange for the inefficient tungsten variety. In spite of the current popularity of CFLs, an increasing number of energy-conscious consumers are upgrading yet again to LED technology.
According to Phil Hammond, Cape Town-based Illumination Engineer: "LEDs are nearly 8 to 10 times more efficient than incandescent lights and certainly twice as efficient as fluorescent lights."
Hammond, who's on the committee of the Illumination Engineering Society of SA in Cape Town, adds that LEDs convert virtually all of their energy into light with little energy wasted to heat. Incandescent bulbs, on the other hand, only convert 10% of energy into light while the rest of this costly energy is given off as heat. In addition, the heat given off by incandescent bulbs increases the cost of air-conditioning, a vital consideration in a heavily lit commercial or industrial environment.
As the magnified photo shows, the fragile filament in an incandescent bulb is very similar to a heating element.
Durability is also behind the popularity of LEDs. Unlike older technologies, LEDs have no breakable glass or filament and have longer life spans. An LED can burn for 50 000 hours compared with a typical CFL life-span of between 5000 and 15 000 hours. Traditional incandescent bulbs don't come close, and generally last for less than 1000 hours. Just think of those ubiquitous halogen down lighters which only last for a few months. Now dimmable LEDs are coming out!
How many Chinamen does it take to change a light bulb? Well the way technology is developing, light bulbs may not have to be changed at all in future!
Providing they're LED of course!
In the end it all boils down to energy management. Whether we like it or not, this is the immediate challenge for South Africans today. If we fail to tap proactively into alternative energy solutions, we'll suffer increasing inconvenience and find ourselves in financial hot water sooner than later.
In the residential domain, lighting may not be the primary energy consumer. Hot water, cooking and space heating comprise the bulk of your electricity bill. However, in the commercial and industrial sectors lighting can easily take up a massive portion of the electricity account.
Enter the light emitting diode ... latest warrior of the light!
They've been winking at us for years and by now everyone has come into contact with LED technology. For years we've seen indicator lights on TVs, sound systems and electronic systems, Christmas lights and more recently car tail and headlights. Over recent years solar powered traffic lights and billboards have made their appearance, using LED lights which come in a range of colours. Lately LED technology has taken a step up to what are now termed high-powered LEDs.
These include powerful floodlights and hi-bay lighting used in large warehouses and which use a fraction of the electrical energy, but deliver the same lux levels.
LEDs are clearly heading for a brighter future, and apart from specialised applications, nothing can compete with them!
Unique to LED lighting is the fact that the source of light is not a filament, gas discharge, or arc, but rather a semiconductor.
Unlike an incandescent light bulb, light in the LED arises in a tiny photonic cloud between the positive and the negative electrodes of the diode. The power to this LED is delivered by a power supply or a driver that has to be 'intelligent'. This is what actually determines the output and durability of an LED.
For electrical contractors, saving energy by replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient light sources has become common practice in recent years. ESKOM recently spent millions on giving out free compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to the public in exchange for the inefficient tungsten variety. In spite of the current popularity of CFLs, an increasing number of energy-conscious consumers are upgrading yet again to LED technology.
According to Phil Hammond, Cape Town-based Illumination Engineer: "LEDs are nearly 8 to 10 times more efficient than incandescent lights and certainly twice as efficient as fluorescent lights."
Hammond, who's on the committee of the Illumination Engineering Society of SA in Cape Town, adds that LEDs convert virtually all of their energy into light with little energy wasted to heat. Incandescent bulbs, on the other hand, only convert 10% of energy into light while the rest of this costly energy is given off as heat. In addition, the heat given off by incandescent bulbs increases the cost of air-conditioning, a vital consideration in a heavily lit commercial or industrial environment.
As the magnified photo shows, the fragile filament in an incandescent bulb is very similar to a heating element.
Durability is also behind the popularity of LEDs. Unlike older technologies, LEDs have no breakable glass or filament and have longer life spans. An LED can burn for 50 000 hours compared with a typical CFL life-span of between 5000 and 15 000 hours. Traditional incandescent bulbs don't come close, and generally last for less than 1000 hours. Just think of those ubiquitous halogen down lighters which only last for a few months. Now dimmable LEDs are coming out!
2012年6月12日 星期二
Premium Backlit LED Light Box Makes Brilliance and Flexibility a Reality in Display Design
At a time when consumers demand unique experiences with brands, lighting remains one of the most critical elements of a brand's visual presentation -- and LEDs have become the desired source. To help companies harness this leading-edge technology to brilliantly convey their brands and attract and influence customers, Stylmark introduces the Optima 1000 LED Backlit Light Box, one of the brightest light box displays with versatility for custom applications.
"As retail and commercial environments quickly adopt LED lighting, the future of display light boxes is in LED technology as well," says Kevin Hogan, president of Stylmark. "The Optima 1000 LED enables brands to be at the cutting edge of visual presentation, while reducing operating costs and environmental impact."
A sophisticated alternative to backlit fluorescent and edgelit LED light boxes, the Optima 1000 LED combines the best aspects of each technology for a more vivid and consistent display of branded graphics. Its premium light source contains a panel of LEDs, ensuring all graphic sizes are evenly lit and illumination is uniformly diffuse without hot spots or visible emitters. Measuring more than 1,000 foot-candles, the Optima 1000 LED is brighter than many backlit fluorescent light boxes while providing the benefits of LED technology: lower power consumption, longer lifespan and fewer failure points.
Leveraging Stylmark's engineering expertise, the Optima 1000 LED opens new avenues of creativity for custom displays that meet unique brand looks and individual project requirements. The Optima 1000 LED's sleek, modern frame can be transformed with hundreds of finish options, including anodized finishes matched to specific colors. It can also be a stand-alone fixture, or incorporated into larger illuminated displays with shelving -- an ideal solution for drawing customers to specific merchandise.
"Designers and decision makers want to present their brands in the best possible fashion, and in ways that can be tailored to their specifications to bring design visions to life," says Hogan. "A contrast to a one-size-fits-all light box, the Optima 1000 LED can be fashioned to fit precise brand requirements, ensuring that graphics are brilliantly vivid and the application is as unique as the brand itself."
About Stylmark Founded in 1954, Stylmark is a leading designer and manufacturer of finished fixtures and full solutions -- from aluminum and steel products, to LED lighting, showcases, fitting rooms, shelving, kiosks, architectural moldings and more. Stylmark's extensive inventory of stock and custom products and solutions are designed to work together, creating comprehensive and distinctive lifestyle environments.
"As retail and commercial environments quickly adopt LED lighting, the future of display light boxes is in LED technology as well," says Kevin Hogan, president of Stylmark. "The Optima 1000 LED enables brands to be at the cutting edge of visual presentation, while reducing operating costs and environmental impact."
A sophisticated alternative to backlit fluorescent and edgelit LED light boxes, the Optima 1000 LED combines the best aspects of each technology for a more vivid and consistent display of branded graphics. Its premium light source contains a panel of LEDs, ensuring all graphic sizes are evenly lit and illumination is uniformly diffuse without hot spots or visible emitters. Measuring more than 1,000 foot-candles, the Optima 1000 LED is brighter than many backlit fluorescent light boxes while providing the benefits of LED technology: lower power consumption, longer lifespan and fewer failure points.
Leveraging Stylmark's engineering expertise, the Optima 1000 LED opens new avenues of creativity for custom displays that meet unique brand looks and individual project requirements. The Optima 1000 LED's sleek, modern frame can be transformed with hundreds of finish options, including anodized finishes matched to specific colors. It can also be a stand-alone fixture, or incorporated into larger illuminated displays with shelving -- an ideal solution for drawing customers to specific merchandise.
"Designers and decision makers want to present their brands in the best possible fashion, and in ways that can be tailored to their specifications to bring design visions to life," says Hogan. "A contrast to a one-size-fits-all light box, the Optima 1000 LED can be fashioned to fit precise brand requirements, ensuring that graphics are brilliantly vivid and the application is as unique as the brand itself."
About Stylmark Founded in 1954, Stylmark is a leading designer and manufacturer of finished fixtures and full solutions -- from aluminum and steel products, to LED lighting, showcases, fitting rooms, shelving, kiosks, architectural moldings and more. Stylmark's extensive inventory of stock and custom products and solutions are designed to work together, creating comprehensive and distinctive lifestyle environments.
2012年6月11日 星期一
Newmarket Mills serves as 'green' economic engine
The Newmarket Mills may be similar to many New England redevelopment projects, but what distinguishes it is the greenest of green concepts — recycling old buildings.
"The vision originally comes from builder Eric Chinburg's love of old mill buildings and that something which is beautiful, but falling apart, can be given a new life," said Jen Chinburg, Newmarket Mills' marketing director.
Founded in 1987 by Eric Chinburg, Chinburg Builders has helped re-purpose 10 former mill sites, including Millport in Portsmouth, the Washington and Cocheco mills in Dover and the Canal Street mill in Somersworth.
"We've learned a lot in the process of saving these buildings," Jen Chinburg said. "Newmarket Mills is the culmination of this knowledge."
The Newmarket Mills offers 50,000 square feet of commercial space and will eventually feature 112 apartments. The majority of the 150-year-old buildings has been preserved for re-use, said Geoff Spitzer, Chinburg's senior project manager and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified professional and Newmarket Mills senior project manager.
Approximately 80 percent of all demolition debris is segregated and recycled, including all metal and most wood. All brick and stone has been cleaned and re-used throughout the buildings and in the landscaping, Spitzer said.
Energy-efficient in-floor radiant heat will be used to heat residential apartments. Concrete floors were a sustainable solution and the cement is produced in Thomaston, Maine. The sand and stone aggregate are from a local sand pit, the mixing plants are in Dover and Portsmouth, and the people who install the concrete are also local.
"People and products that travel short distances use less fuel and have a smaller carbon footprint," Spitzer said.
All lighting is done with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs and/or T8 fluorescents, and most common-area lighting is on motion-activated sensors. Chinburg laid more than 4 inches of rigid insulation and selected white EPDM (synthetic rubber) roofing, which increases reflectivity, lowering the cooling load inside the building and making air conditioning condensers on the roof more efficient, all decreasing electricity use.
Chinburg Builders recently joined the Green Alliance, a local "green" business union that certifies its business members green and advocates for greener choices to the public.
"You can preserve green space, which means having people living in existing space and not, for example, having them live individually on 2 acres each. Instead, they're on town utilities, linked to existing systems," Jen Chinburg said.
Newmarket Mills includes a shared courtyard space. "We hope to encourage musicians to play while people have their lunch," she said.
The mills will also have a fitness room, club room, community movie nights, wine tastings, book clubs, and a boat launch onto the Lamprey River and on to Great Bay.
Apartments include studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments and lofts. Chinburg Builders leased all 38 units in six weeks during the project's first phase, which is 100 percent occupied with a mix of businesses such as a custom bike manufacturer, a shoemaker, a barber, restaurants and a sewing company. The project's second phase includes 74 apartments, with 12 yet to be rented.
"We estimate that this space will be home to 30 companies with 50 to 60 employees and 112 living units with twice that number of residents," she said.
"The vision originally comes from builder Eric Chinburg's love of old mill buildings and that something which is beautiful, but falling apart, can be given a new life," said Jen Chinburg, Newmarket Mills' marketing director.
Founded in 1987 by Eric Chinburg, Chinburg Builders has helped re-purpose 10 former mill sites, including Millport in Portsmouth, the Washington and Cocheco mills in Dover and the Canal Street mill in Somersworth.
"We've learned a lot in the process of saving these buildings," Jen Chinburg said. "Newmarket Mills is the culmination of this knowledge."
The Newmarket Mills offers 50,000 square feet of commercial space and will eventually feature 112 apartments. The majority of the 150-year-old buildings has been preserved for re-use, said Geoff Spitzer, Chinburg's senior project manager and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified professional and Newmarket Mills senior project manager.
Approximately 80 percent of all demolition debris is segregated and recycled, including all metal and most wood. All brick and stone has been cleaned and re-used throughout the buildings and in the landscaping, Spitzer said.
Energy-efficient in-floor radiant heat will be used to heat residential apartments. Concrete floors were a sustainable solution and the cement is produced in Thomaston, Maine. The sand and stone aggregate are from a local sand pit, the mixing plants are in Dover and Portsmouth, and the people who install the concrete are also local.
"People and products that travel short distances use less fuel and have a smaller carbon footprint," Spitzer said.
All lighting is done with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs and/or T8 fluorescents, and most common-area lighting is on motion-activated sensors. Chinburg laid more than 4 inches of rigid insulation and selected white EPDM (synthetic rubber) roofing, which increases reflectivity, lowering the cooling load inside the building and making air conditioning condensers on the roof more efficient, all decreasing electricity use.
Chinburg Builders recently joined the Green Alliance, a local "green" business union that certifies its business members green and advocates for greener choices to the public.
"You can preserve green space, which means having people living in existing space and not, for example, having them live individually on 2 acres each. Instead, they're on town utilities, linked to existing systems," Jen Chinburg said.
Newmarket Mills includes a shared courtyard space. "We hope to encourage musicians to play while people have their lunch," she said.
The mills will also have a fitness room, club room, community movie nights, wine tastings, book clubs, and a boat launch onto the Lamprey River and on to Great Bay.
Apartments include studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments and lofts. Chinburg Builders leased all 38 units in six weeks during the project's first phase, which is 100 percent occupied with a mix of businesses such as a custom bike manufacturer, a shoemaker, a barber, restaurants and a sewing company. The project's second phase includes 74 apartments, with 12 yet to be rented.
"We estimate that this space will be home to 30 companies with 50 to 60 employees and 112 living units with twice that number of residents," she said.
2012年6月10日 星期日
Work on Canton Industrial Park will start soon
Construction expected to start this month on a building in the Canton Industrial Park marks a step in a historical venture among the town, village, St. Lawrence County, Industrial Development Agency and St. Lawrence NYSARC that started when the county needed to build a jail.
"It is part of a long-term partnership. The notion of developing an industrial park in the county seat has been talked about for years," said IDA Executive Director Patrick J. Kelly. "Undertaking this project, we're fulfilling that objective."
The 15,000-square-foot $1.9 million building, the first in the light industrial park, will be constructed near the county jail on Commerce Lane.
"It's been one of my priorities since I've been on the board," said IDA Chairman Brian W. Staples. "This building will be a lean structure, a green structure and one that purposefully meets the needs for development in a college community. There will be light industrial subsections, pods so to speak, available for economic development."
The building's design will include such features as high insulation values, creative use of natural lighting and a high-efficiency heating system. Wall and roof panels and trusses will be manufactured locally and installed by contractor Danko, Massena. The building will be wired for high-level computer applications.
The IDA expects to be one of the building's first tenants, becoming an on-site manager.
"Being the owner/occupant for this kind of facility makes sense," Mr. Kelly said.
The IDA expects to take about 3,500 square feet of the building for its offices. A microbrewery operated by the owners of the Blackbird Cafe in Canton is in the works to occupy 3,000 square feet.
"We plan to work with local colleges in Canton and Potsdam to develop this facility," Mr. Kelly said. "We think having the ability to offer a variety of spatial layouts will make it more appealing."
The industrial park's startup is also expected to draw attention to six commercial lots NYSARC owns that were developed as part of the package deal that made the jail possible.
"We haven't actively marketed them yet, but we will," said NYSARC Executive Director Daphne A. Pickert. "That was quite a thing when you think about the history."
In 2005, the town, village, county, IDA and NYSARC signed a memorandum of understanding that led to the jail's construction and development of the commercial and light industrial lots.
The municipalities agreed to annex property for the jail and industrial park lots into the village to connect to water and sewer lines. NYSARC gave the county land across its property to connect the site with a road to West Main Street. The IDA was to develop the park and provide utility access along the road to NYSARC lots.
"We co-designed a road that met the needs of the commercial lots, jail and park without making it a pass-through," Mr. Staples said.
The park represents the IDA's goals of creating assets that support the county's work force, its colleges and diversity of its communities, Mr. Kelly said. "This building is a step in that direction," he said.
"It is part of a long-term partnership. The notion of developing an industrial park in the county seat has been talked about for years," said IDA Executive Director Patrick J. Kelly. "Undertaking this project, we're fulfilling that objective."
The 15,000-square-foot $1.9 million building, the first in the light industrial park, will be constructed near the county jail on Commerce Lane.
"It's been one of my priorities since I've been on the board," said IDA Chairman Brian W. Staples. "This building will be a lean structure, a green structure and one that purposefully meets the needs for development in a college community. There will be light industrial subsections, pods so to speak, available for economic development."
The building's design will include such features as high insulation values, creative use of natural lighting and a high-efficiency heating system. Wall and roof panels and trusses will be manufactured locally and installed by contractor Danko, Massena. The building will be wired for high-level computer applications.
The IDA expects to be one of the building's first tenants, becoming an on-site manager.
"Being the owner/occupant for this kind of facility makes sense," Mr. Kelly said.
The IDA expects to take about 3,500 square feet of the building for its offices. A microbrewery operated by the owners of the Blackbird Cafe in Canton is in the works to occupy 3,000 square feet.
"We plan to work with local colleges in Canton and Potsdam to develop this facility," Mr. Kelly said. "We think having the ability to offer a variety of spatial layouts will make it more appealing."
The industrial park's startup is also expected to draw attention to six commercial lots NYSARC owns that were developed as part of the package deal that made the jail possible.
"We haven't actively marketed them yet, but we will," said NYSARC Executive Director Daphne A. Pickert. "That was quite a thing when you think about the history."
In 2005, the town, village, county, IDA and NYSARC signed a memorandum of understanding that led to the jail's construction and development of the commercial and light industrial lots.
The municipalities agreed to annex property for the jail and industrial park lots into the village to connect to water and sewer lines. NYSARC gave the county land across its property to connect the site with a road to West Main Street. The IDA was to develop the park and provide utility access along the road to NYSARC lots.
"We co-designed a road that met the needs of the commercial lots, jail and park without making it a pass-through," Mr. Staples said.
The park represents the IDA's goals of creating assets that support the county's work force, its colleges and diversity of its communities, Mr. Kelly said. "This building is a step in that direction," he said.
2012年6月7日 星期四
Philips Road Show Visits Ghana
Philips Electronics will for the first time embark on a road show in Ghana aimed at driving growth in Africa through the introduction of innovative healthcare and lighting solutions for local markets.
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands, a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation.
It has been active in Africa for over a century, and has committed to an aggressive investment plan to significantly increase its business footprint in the coming years based upon locally relevant products and innovations that address the needs of the growing African population.
Ronald de Jong, Executive Vice President and Chief Market Leader at Philips was quoted in a press statement as saying, “We are committed to building a long-term sustainable business footprint in Africa”.
He said, “Growth in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to be around 6% in 2012 and our ambition is to gain a strong presence in this continent by building on local talent and organizations, setting up distribution and route to market and above all, by developing solutions and innovations which are relevant for the local needs.”
The first Philip Cairo to Cape Town road show was organized in 2010 and the 2012 version covers 12,000 kilometers across eleven countries and seventeen cities across the continent.
During the road show, the Philips team will showcase its new innovations and continue to engage with customers, governments, NGOs and media on topics relating to key challenges facing Africa at present.
Some of these challenges include: Mother and Child Care, Women’s Healthcare, energy efficiency, solar lighting solutions as well as clinical education and training.
A statement issued by Philips stated that the woman and child care programme focuses on supporting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aimed at reducing child mortality rates and improving maternal health.
“Philips provides a broad range of ultrasound, monitoring, clinical informatics and patient care solutions needed to care for mothers and children: from pregnancy, labor and delivery, to postnatal, neonatal and pediatric care, and the transition to home,” the statement said.
During the road show Philips also highlights the benefits of LED lighting, which offers solutions to some of the key issues and opportunities Africa faces today: energy efficiency, climate change, resource scarcity, safety in cities, productivity in offices, and an enhanced sense of health and well-being.
The New LED technology, when combined with the latest solar and battery developments, can also provide good quality practical light for rural areas where more than 500 million Africans currently live without electricity.
Philips would be promoting its new solar powered LED Street and Area lighting solutions which offer cost effective and reliable illumination.
A pan-African soccer tour under solar-powered LED floodlights is also planned to highlight these developments.
“We have already been in Africa for many years and have a strong installed base of our equipment, but we strongly acknowledge the benefits of dialogue during this road show and the need for our company to listen to the local market and understand how we can adapt our products to better serve this continent,” said Ronald de Jong.
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands, a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation.
It has been active in Africa for over a century, and has committed to an aggressive investment plan to significantly increase its business footprint in the coming years based upon locally relevant products and innovations that address the needs of the growing African population.
Ronald de Jong, Executive Vice President and Chief Market Leader at Philips was quoted in a press statement as saying, “We are committed to building a long-term sustainable business footprint in Africa”.
He said, “Growth in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to be around 6% in 2012 and our ambition is to gain a strong presence in this continent by building on local talent and organizations, setting up distribution and route to market and above all, by developing solutions and innovations which are relevant for the local needs.”
The first Philip Cairo to Cape Town road show was organized in 2010 and the 2012 version covers 12,000 kilometers across eleven countries and seventeen cities across the continent.
During the road show, the Philips team will showcase its new innovations and continue to engage with customers, governments, NGOs and media on topics relating to key challenges facing Africa at present.
Some of these challenges include: Mother and Child Care, Women’s Healthcare, energy efficiency, solar lighting solutions as well as clinical education and training.
A statement issued by Philips stated that the woman and child care programme focuses on supporting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aimed at reducing child mortality rates and improving maternal health.
“Philips provides a broad range of ultrasound, monitoring, clinical informatics and patient care solutions needed to care for mothers and children: from pregnancy, labor and delivery, to postnatal, neonatal and pediatric care, and the transition to home,” the statement said.
During the road show Philips also highlights the benefits of LED lighting, which offers solutions to some of the key issues and opportunities Africa faces today: energy efficiency, climate change, resource scarcity, safety in cities, productivity in offices, and an enhanced sense of health and well-being.
The New LED technology, when combined with the latest solar and battery developments, can also provide good quality practical light for rural areas where more than 500 million Africans currently live without electricity.
Philips would be promoting its new solar powered LED Street and Area lighting solutions which offer cost effective and reliable illumination.
A pan-African soccer tour under solar-powered LED floodlights is also planned to highlight these developments.
“We have already been in Africa for many years and have a strong installed base of our equipment, but we strongly acknowledge the benefits of dialogue during this road show and the need for our company to listen to the local market and understand how we can adapt our products to better serve this continent,” said Ronald de Jong.
2012年6月6日 星期三
It's Not Too Late to Save Your Stupid Old Light Bulbs
Last night the House of Representatives passed a spending-bill amendment aimed at preventing the Energy Department from enforcing the federal efficiency standards that require the phaseout of conventional incandescent light bulbs. Under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the phaseout was supposed to begin in January 2012 with a ban on 100-watt bulbs, but a spending bill approved last December delayed enforcement until this October.
The amendment passed yesterday, which was introduced by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas), would give incandescent bulbs a one-year reprieve. The Better Use of Light Bulbs Act—introduced by another Texas Republican, Joe Barton—would repeal the bulb ban altogether. Last July it received majority support in the House but fell short of the two-thirds vote necessary to pass a bill on a motion to "suspend the rules," a process that limits debate and bars amendments. Because of the procedure used, according to Govtrack, Barton can try again before the end of the current session.
Like Michael Bloomberg's 16-ounce limit on soda servings, these light bulb regulations override consumer choices that the government deems foolish—in this case, accepting lower efficiency (and higher electricity costs) in exchange for much lower prices, greater versatility, and performance that is better in some respects. (Incandescents go on right away, for instance, while the next cheapest alternative, compact fluorescent lamps, often need to warm up; others complain about the quality of the light from CFLs, although that's not as big a deal to me.)
While I object to both the beverage rule and the lighting restrictions on principle, the light bulb ban is more personally irksome to me, because I have not lived in New York City since 2001 and in any case generally avoid sugar-sweetened soft drinks. I would be happy to purchase the bulbs the Energy Department thinks I should have if they worked better than they do and did not cost so much.
But my experience with CFLs has been that they cost a lot more, do not last nearly as long as advertised, and do not perform the basic function of quickly illuminating a room nearly as well. LEDs may be better, but they are at this point absurdly expensive. Halogen bulbs and the new, extra-efficient incandescents are not quite as pricey, but they still cost around 10 times as much as the banned bulbs.
I may be paying more for electricity than I otherwise would (not a whole lot more, according to the Energy Department's calculations), but I am willing to accept that tradeoff, and so are most Americans, to judge by the market penetration of the newer, more efficient bulbs before the government decided to legally mandate this transition. (If the newer products really were indisputably better in every respect, why would the government have to force people to buy them?) So it really irritates me when I'm told either that I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to products that I use every day or that my preferences are stupid. Even if they were, I should have a right to be stupid with my own money and my own house.
The amendment passed yesterday, which was introduced by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas), would give incandescent bulbs a one-year reprieve. The Better Use of Light Bulbs Act—introduced by another Texas Republican, Joe Barton—would repeal the bulb ban altogether. Last July it received majority support in the House but fell short of the two-thirds vote necessary to pass a bill on a motion to "suspend the rules," a process that limits debate and bars amendments. Because of the procedure used, according to Govtrack, Barton can try again before the end of the current session.
Like Michael Bloomberg's 16-ounce limit on soda servings, these light bulb regulations override consumer choices that the government deems foolish—in this case, accepting lower efficiency (and higher electricity costs) in exchange for much lower prices, greater versatility, and performance that is better in some respects. (Incandescents go on right away, for instance, while the next cheapest alternative, compact fluorescent lamps, often need to warm up; others complain about the quality of the light from CFLs, although that's not as big a deal to me.)
While I object to both the beverage rule and the lighting restrictions on principle, the light bulb ban is more personally irksome to me, because I have not lived in New York City since 2001 and in any case generally avoid sugar-sweetened soft drinks. I would be happy to purchase the bulbs the Energy Department thinks I should have if they worked better than they do and did not cost so much.
But my experience with CFLs has been that they cost a lot more, do not last nearly as long as advertised, and do not perform the basic function of quickly illuminating a room nearly as well. LEDs may be better, but they are at this point absurdly expensive. Halogen bulbs and the new, extra-efficient incandescents are not quite as pricey, but they still cost around 10 times as much as the banned bulbs.
I may be paying more for electricity than I otherwise would (not a whole lot more, according to the Energy Department's calculations), but I am willing to accept that tradeoff, and so are most Americans, to judge by the market penetration of the newer, more efficient bulbs before the government decided to legally mandate this transition. (If the newer products really were indisputably better in every respect, why would the government have to force people to buy them?) So it really irritates me when I'm told either that I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to products that I use every day or that my preferences are stupid. Even if they were, I should have a right to be stupid with my own money and my own house.
2012年6月5日 星期二
Moving Light to the Front Panel With New Flexible Light Pipe and Panel Mount Indicators From Bivar
To address machine to human communication, in which light is transferred from LED to the human eye to convey a message, Bivar points to its comprehensive family of flexible light pipes and panel mount assemblies. A leading specialty provider of LED indication products, Bivar offers a variety of off-the-shelf and custom solutions to efficiently move light to the front panel in any number of consumer or industrial end-products. Target markets include security, medical, computing, transportation and communication.
Bringing flexibility to designers, Bivar's indication products take into account a number of key considerations including the distance from LED source to panel, size and brightness, type of material best suited to the application, and indoor versus outdoor conditions. To address tough outdoor conditions, Bivar's new series of IP67 rated panel mount assemblies and flexible light pipes are totally protected against dust and immersion up to 1m.
"We take great pride in working with our customers to understand their needs and provide them with fail-safe solutions that are both practical and cost-effective," said Tom Silber, Bivar president and CEO. "From metal to nylon to IP67 rated products that can withstand rugged conditions, our comprehensive family of flexible light pipes and panel mount assemblies can satisfy even the most difficult design challenge and can be used in just about any application."
Bivar's flexible light pipe family makes routing light through crowded or tight spaces easy and efficient. They are suited for a range of applications, including accent and trim lighting for commercial buildings, commercial aircraft and rail cars; panel and cabinet illumination in industrial environments; automotive ambient lighting and contour illumination; wall wash, alcove and back lighting in architectural environments; and signage and advertisement lighting. The flexible light pipes are available in standard nylon, quick mount flexible nylon and IP67 rated metal.
About Bivar Bivar is a leading specialty provider of LED indication products and solutions with a long-standing history of more than 40 years of innovation in the optoelectronics industry. With a global base of customers in 35 countries, Bivar's products are designed to meet the increased demand for point-to-point indication and address a growing range of industrial markets and applications. Bivar's focus is on moving and positioning light. An employee-owned company, Bivar's corporate headquarters are located in Southern Calif., with manufacturing in Calif., China and Taiwan.
The L700, used in conjunction with the Endolume, enables biomedical engineers and technicians to test endoscope components in the service laboratory in place of the OR endoscopic light source for testing light guides and endoscope optical fibers.
"Endoscopic components are used and sterilized frequently, which can impact quality over time," said Mark Waite, Lighthouse Imaging CEO, in the release. "They need to be tested more frequently, in part to avoid wasting time and creating issues during patient procedures. Lighthouse Imaging's new light source complements our line of endoscopic testing equipment, and makes it easy and affordable to test light guides and scope fibers in the lab rather than in the operating room."
Bringing flexibility to designers, Bivar's indication products take into account a number of key considerations including the distance from LED source to panel, size and brightness, type of material best suited to the application, and indoor versus outdoor conditions. To address tough outdoor conditions, Bivar's new series of IP67 rated panel mount assemblies and flexible light pipes are totally protected against dust and immersion up to 1m.
"We take great pride in working with our customers to understand their needs and provide them with fail-safe solutions that are both practical and cost-effective," said Tom Silber, Bivar president and CEO. "From metal to nylon to IP67 rated products that can withstand rugged conditions, our comprehensive family of flexible light pipes and panel mount assemblies can satisfy even the most difficult design challenge and can be used in just about any application."
Bivar's flexible light pipe family makes routing light through crowded or tight spaces easy and efficient. They are suited for a range of applications, including accent and trim lighting for commercial buildings, commercial aircraft and rail cars; panel and cabinet illumination in industrial environments; automotive ambient lighting and contour illumination; wall wash, alcove and back lighting in architectural environments; and signage and advertisement lighting. The flexible light pipes are available in standard nylon, quick mount flexible nylon and IP67 rated metal.
About Bivar Bivar is a leading specialty provider of LED indication products and solutions with a long-standing history of more than 40 years of innovation in the optoelectronics industry. With a global base of customers in 35 countries, Bivar's products are designed to meet the increased demand for point-to-point indication and address a growing range of industrial markets and applications. Bivar's focus is on moving and positioning light. An employee-owned company, Bivar's corporate headquarters are located in Southern Calif., with manufacturing in Calif., China and Taiwan.
The L700, used in conjunction with the Endolume, enables biomedical engineers and technicians to test endoscope components in the service laboratory in place of the OR endoscopic light source for testing light guides and endoscope optical fibers.
"Endoscopic components are used and sterilized frequently, which can impact quality over time," said Mark Waite, Lighthouse Imaging CEO, in the release. "They need to be tested more frequently, in part to avoid wasting time and creating issues during patient procedures. Lighthouse Imaging's new light source complements our line of endoscopic testing equipment, and makes it easy and affordable to test light guides and scope fibers in the lab rather than in the operating room."
2012年6月4日 星期一
Ask Waste Watchers: What can I take to the Wolcott waste facility?
This is the second of a two-part series listing classes of materials that are accepted at Household Hazardous Waste and why you should dispose of them properly.
Latex paint: Latex paint, although not considered a hazardous material, should be solidified before it is discarded with regular garbage. Municipal landfills are not designed to handle liquids nor does your garbage collector want to crush a can of paint and have it leak into the street. Household Hazardous Waste receives more than 40,000 pounds of latex and water-based paint annually.
Batteries: Some batteries can be safely thrown away, but some should never be thrown away. Batteries of all sizes, ranging from tiny button cells to extra-large lead acid batteries, can be recycled at Household Hazardous Waste. We recycle thousands of pounds of batteries annually.
Oil and antifreeze: Used motor oil is a suspected cancer-causing agent, and antifreeze can be deadly if ingested. They are also liquids, and liquids are not acceptable at municipal landfills. Household Hazardous Waste sends hundreds of gallons of used oil and antifreeze to be recycled annually.
Cooking oil and grease: Cooking oils and greases are not hazardous materials, but they can and should be recycled. Pouring oil and grease down the drain leads to clogged plumbing in your home and underground sewage pipes. Household Hazardous Waste sends more than 500 gallons of cooking oil annually to a recycler in Boulder, who converts it into biodiesel.
Light bulbs and ballasts: Did you know that all fluorescent bulbs contain mercury or that light ballasts from the 1970s and older may contain a very toxic compound called PCBs? If you are uncertain as to which types of lighting are safe to throw in the garbage and which are not, bring them to the HHW for sorting and proper disposal.
Electronics: Electronics should not be thrown away. By volume, electronics are a small percentage of the waste entering landfills but are responsible for most of the heavy-metal contamination. Landfills are not designed to handle large quantities of toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead, which are commonly found in electronics. We recycled more than 18,000 pounds of electronics last year and are on track to recycle even more this year.
Mercury: Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and environmental pollutant. It is usually found around your home in devices such as old thermometers, barometers or thermostats. Mercury also can be found in old antiseptics such as mercurochrome and old chemistry sets.
In this project, we installed a series of three fluorescent fixtures under one section of kitchen wall cabinets. We chose fluorescent lights for the project because they are inexpensive, very energy efficient and produce very little additional heat. They provide all the necessary lighting to ensure that kitchen projects may be completed safely and properly. LOWE’s carries a variety of these fluorescent lighting fixtures to suit your needs appropriately. While your kitchen may be somewhat different than ours, here are some basic planning guidelines.
Measure the depth of the valance or reveal under the cabinets. This is the piece that forms a lip at the bottom of the cabinet doors. If it’s at least 1-1/4 in., it will hide most fluorescent fixtures. Low-profile fluorescent fixtures that use a T-5 diameter lamp need only about 1 in. If you have European-style cabinets and don’t want any part of the fixtures exposed, you will need to add a valance to hide the fixture.
Latex paint: Latex paint, although not considered a hazardous material, should be solidified before it is discarded with regular garbage. Municipal landfills are not designed to handle liquids nor does your garbage collector want to crush a can of paint and have it leak into the street. Household Hazardous Waste receives more than 40,000 pounds of latex and water-based paint annually.
Batteries: Some batteries can be safely thrown away, but some should never be thrown away. Batteries of all sizes, ranging from tiny button cells to extra-large lead acid batteries, can be recycled at Household Hazardous Waste. We recycle thousands of pounds of batteries annually.
Oil and antifreeze: Used motor oil is a suspected cancer-causing agent, and antifreeze can be deadly if ingested. They are also liquids, and liquids are not acceptable at municipal landfills. Household Hazardous Waste sends hundreds of gallons of used oil and antifreeze to be recycled annually.
Cooking oil and grease: Cooking oils and greases are not hazardous materials, but they can and should be recycled. Pouring oil and grease down the drain leads to clogged plumbing in your home and underground sewage pipes. Household Hazardous Waste sends more than 500 gallons of cooking oil annually to a recycler in Boulder, who converts it into biodiesel.
Light bulbs and ballasts: Did you know that all fluorescent bulbs contain mercury or that light ballasts from the 1970s and older may contain a very toxic compound called PCBs? If you are uncertain as to which types of lighting are safe to throw in the garbage and which are not, bring them to the HHW for sorting and proper disposal.
Electronics: Electronics should not be thrown away. By volume, electronics are a small percentage of the waste entering landfills but are responsible for most of the heavy-metal contamination. Landfills are not designed to handle large quantities of toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead, which are commonly found in electronics. We recycled more than 18,000 pounds of electronics last year and are on track to recycle even more this year.
Mercury: Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and environmental pollutant. It is usually found around your home in devices such as old thermometers, barometers or thermostats. Mercury also can be found in old antiseptics such as mercurochrome and old chemistry sets.
In this project, we installed a series of three fluorescent fixtures under one section of kitchen wall cabinets. We chose fluorescent lights for the project because they are inexpensive, very energy efficient and produce very little additional heat. They provide all the necessary lighting to ensure that kitchen projects may be completed safely and properly. LOWE’s carries a variety of these fluorescent lighting fixtures to suit your needs appropriately. While your kitchen may be somewhat different than ours, here are some basic planning guidelines.
Measure the depth of the valance or reveal under the cabinets. This is the piece that forms a lip at the bottom of the cabinet doors. If it’s at least 1-1/4 in., it will hide most fluorescent fixtures. Low-profile fluorescent fixtures that use a T-5 diameter lamp need only about 1 in. If you have European-style cabinets and don’t want any part of the fixtures exposed, you will need to add a valance to hide the fixture.
2012年6月3日 星期日
XMM-Newton Reveals Light ‘Echo’ Around Supermassive Black Hole
Astronomers studying the galaxy NGC 4151 with ESA’s XMM-Newton space observatory have detected X-rays emitted and then reflected by ionised iron atoms very close to the supermassive black hole hosted at the galaxy’s core. By measuring the time delays occurring in these ‘reverberation’ events, they were able to map the vicinity of this black hole in unprecedented detail.
Supermassive black holes are enormous concentrations of matter, weighing millions to billions of times the mass of the Sun, that reside at the centre of most large galaxies, including the Milky Way. As they do not emit light, these extremely dense objects can only be detected indirectly, via the effect exerted by their intense gravitational pull on the neighbouring matter. A small fraction of these supermassive black holes feed on material from their surroundings at extraordinary rates, giving rise to intense emission that may even outshine the entire radiation output of their host galaxies. Known as Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), these sources are a powerful tool used by astronomers to probe the dynamics of matter around the most massive of black holes.
The accretion of matter onto a black hole occurs through a disc of material that spirals around the black hole. Heated by internal friction up to millions of degrees, the accreting matter radiates profusely at ultraviolet and soft X-ray wavelengths. Astronomers invoke the presence of a corona located beyond the disc and populated by highly energetic electrons to explain the observed emission from AGN at hard X-ray wavelengths. Very little is known, though, about the shape and size of the corona, and about the origin of the electrons in the corona.
To investigate the extreme phenomena taking place in the near vicinity of black holes, astronomers studying AGN have been dedicating great efforts to detecting radiation from the innermost parts of the accretion disc and from the corona. An excellent diagnostic of both regions is to search for ‘reverberation’ – namely the light emitted by the corona and then reflected by the disc. Identifying reverberation events is possible because an AGN’s emission is strongly variable, exhibiting flares and other fluctuations on very short time scales. If a burst of light in the corona were to induce excitation in the disc material, thus causing further emission from this region, then the two signals would be detected separated by a time delay. This delay contains valuable information about the path travelled by light from the corona to the disc, and astronomers have long tried to measure it to constrain the size and relative location of these two components.
“We have now detected the first unequivocal evidence of time delay between emission from the corona and different parts of the disc in an AGN,” says Abderahmen Zoghbi from the University of Maryland, USA. Zoghbi led a study of NGC 4151, a galaxy hosting one of the brightest AGN known at X-ray wavelengths, using data from ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray observatory. “The detection of a delay confirms that the corona is clearly separated from the disc, and the amount of delay – a couple of thousand seconds, about half an hour – indicates that it must be compact in size, and located very close to the black hole, above and below the central part of the disc,” he adds.
The lag detected in this study was observed in a particular emission line that stands out in AGN spectra, the so-called iron K line. Produced by ionised iron atoms at an energy of about 6.4 keV, this line is one of the best understood features in the X-ray spectra of AGN. “Since we know the physics of the iron K line so well, our detection of delay in its signal is a direct proof of reverberation taking place very close to a supermassive black hole,” comments Zoghbi. Previous detections of time delays in other AGN had relied on other, less well understood parts of the spectrum.
Supermassive black holes are enormous concentrations of matter, weighing millions to billions of times the mass of the Sun, that reside at the centre of most large galaxies, including the Milky Way. As they do not emit light, these extremely dense objects can only be detected indirectly, via the effect exerted by their intense gravitational pull on the neighbouring matter. A small fraction of these supermassive black holes feed on material from their surroundings at extraordinary rates, giving rise to intense emission that may even outshine the entire radiation output of their host galaxies. Known as Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), these sources are a powerful tool used by astronomers to probe the dynamics of matter around the most massive of black holes.
The accretion of matter onto a black hole occurs through a disc of material that spirals around the black hole. Heated by internal friction up to millions of degrees, the accreting matter radiates profusely at ultraviolet and soft X-ray wavelengths. Astronomers invoke the presence of a corona located beyond the disc and populated by highly energetic electrons to explain the observed emission from AGN at hard X-ray wavelengths. Very little is known, though, about the shape and size of the corona, and about the origin of the electrons in the corona.
To investigate the extreme phenomena taking place in the near vicinity of black holes, astronomers studying AGN have been dedicating great efforts to detecting radiation from the innermost parts of the accretion disc and from the corona. An excellent diagnostic of both regions is to search for ‘reverberation’ – namely the light emitted by the corona and then reflected by the disc. Identifying reverberation events is possible because an AGN’s emission is strongly variable, exhibiting flares and other fluctuations on very short time scales. If a burst of light in the corona were to induce excitation in the disc material, thus causing further emission from this region, then the two signals would be detected separated by a time delay. This delay contains valuable information about the path travelled by light from the corona to the disc, and astronomers have long tried to measure it to constrain the size and relative location of these two components.
“We have now detected the first unequivocal evidence of time delay between emission from the corona and different parts of the disc in an AGN,” says Abderahmen Zoghbi from the University of Maryland, USA. Zoghbi led a study of NGC 4151, a galaxy hosting one of the brightest AGN known at X-ray wavelengths, using data from ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray observatory. “The detection of a delay confirms that the corona is clearly separated from the disc, and the amount of delay – a couple of thousand seconds, about half an hour – indicates that it must be compact in size, and located very close to the black hole, above and below the central part of the disc,” he adds.
The lag detected in this study was observed in a particular emission line that stands out in AGN spectra, the so-called iron K line. Produced by ionised iron atoms at an energy of about 6.4 keV, this line is one of the best understood features in the X-ray spectra of AGN. “Since we know the physics of the iron K line so well, our detection of delay in its signal is a direct proof of reverberation taking place very close to a supermassive black hole,” comments Zoghbi. Previous detections of time delays in other AGN had relied on other, less well understood parts of the spectrum.
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