FIPELl light technology -- exact match to sun light?

B

Bruce Watson

Veteran
This is interesting. Dr. David Carroll, a researcher at Wake Forest University, has developed a new lighting technology called field-induced polymer electroluminescent (FIPEL). He says "our device can match the solar spectrum perfectly." It's supposed to be twice as efficient as compact fluorescent. Since it's a plastic, it's considerably less fragile than glass too.

Might be just what the world of cinema needs. And we should find out next year if they actually meet their schedule for producing some bulbs.
 
Interesting. Thanks for the link.

The issue I see though is its not just about good color temperature or CRI which is what many say when they want to duplicate sunlight. Its also the ability to make a single point source so we can focus it and produce well defined shadows. This also gives us throw and the ability to fight sunlight in certain cases where we need to.

Yes a long thin bulb would work fine for many uses--particularly wherever you want to replace fluorescent or perhaps LEDs but what about all the people that want a solid state fresnel or spotlight so they can compete with sunlight coming in through windows without extra work. Couldn't do it with a bulb like that in the picture--that just wouldn't give you what you need to get the throw and strength. You really need a certain size and form factor to do that and if they can produce this thing in a brilliant, concentrated enough form factor, then they'll really have something that can give us that other qualities that we want sometimes--the strong punch and single well defined shadow.
 
Cool Lights said:
Interesting. Thanks for the link.

The issue I see though is its not just about good color temperature or CRI which is what many say when they want to duplicate sunlight. Its also the ability to make a single point source so we can focus it and produce well defined shadows. This also gives us throw and the ability to fight sunlight in certain cases where we need to.

Yes a long thin bulb would work fine for many uses--particularly wherever you want to replace fluorescent or perhaps LEDs but what about all the people that want a solid state fresnel or spotlight so they can compete with sunlight coming in through windows without extra work. Couldn't do it with a bulb like that in the picture--that just wouldn't give you what you need to get the throw and strength. You really need a certain size and form factor to do that and if they can produce this thing in a brilliant, concentrated enough form factor, then they'll really have something that can give us that other qualities that we want sometimes--the strong punch and single well defined shadow.
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Thats true; but the majority of modern film lighting (at least with me) is exactly this kind of soft glow source. I'm excited to see what you guys and others will come up with. (solid panel battery capable 'softbox' to rival a kino?)
 
Who knows? The shape of the bulb would totally inspire/influence the fixture we use it in. Long and tubular? If yes, no doubt a panel with softbox capability would be great. I'll be one of the first if it lives up to energy efficiency, CRI, color temperature, reasonable cost, availability, etc. Those are all factors we look for before I'd make something for it.
 
Cool Lights said:
Who knows? The shape of the bulb would totally inspire/influence the fixture we use it in. Long and tubular? If yes, no doubt a panel with softbox capability would be great. I'll be one of the first if it lives up to energy efficiency, CRI, color temperature, reasonable cost, availability, etc. Those are all factors we look for before I'd make something for it.
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From what I've been reading, the scientists who came up with it seem to be indicating that they've knocked the ball out of the park on every count. They are claiming that spectrum rendition, energy efficiency, heat, and cost to produce are all exceptional. I understand that they've made large size glowing flat panels as well. (2' x 4') They say they can make the material into any shape.

As you say, who knows - but this is certainly the most exciting development in lighting technology I've heard of.
 
Yes it does look like it could be about any shape. The flat panel 2 x 2 or 2 x 4 feet would be super. Make one that's 4 x 4 and can fold down into a 1 x 1 would be the best portable softlight you could imagine.
 
Cool Lights said:
Yes it does look like it could be about any shape. The flat panel 2 x 2 or 2 x 4 feet would be super. Make one that's 4 x 4 and can fold down into a 1 x 1 would be the best portable softlight you could imagine.
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Yes; I would agree :)
 
Maybe they could coil it for a tight LCL? I doubt they are thinking theatrical right now, and are wanting the widest coverage possible.....
 
I wouldn't mind a DIY softbox with bulbs in a CFL form factor. If they were plastic they'd be much less fragile.
 
KurtF said:
I wouldn't mind a DIY softbox with bulbs in a CFL form factor. If they were plastic they'd be much less fragile.
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This is quite unlike any light tech in the past... there would be no bulbs because the softbox surface would be the light source itself. ('The ultimate soft source')
 
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