Rensselaer researchers have developed a smart, efficient, aesthetically pleasing, solid-state lighting system for homes and commercial spaces. Over 35% of the energy consumed by illumination can be saved by using advanced lighting control systems; however, these systems require frequent calibration and programming to adjust to interior redesign of the space and personal lighting needs. This technoloby involves LED fixtures that encode illumination with a time modulated data signal and incorporates a sparse network of low pixel light sensors distributed throughout the system.

This technology relates to solid-state devices as replacements for incandescent light bulbs. The LED based bulb uses the normal Edison socket, but the LED and heat sink are placed on the far end of the bulb. The heat sink attaches to the bottom and outside of the bulb providing a structural base for the LED. Several alternative shapes for the light guide are provided to optimize the light emitted both in quality and quantity (i.e., more closely matching that of white incandescent bulbs).