In an effort to improve the well-being of both students and teachers, EDU-LIGHT is bringing human-centric lighting (HCL) technology to classrooms. What exactly is HCL and why is it so important? It is an innovative form of lighting that mimics the solar cycle in the interiors of any building that not only promotes concentration but can also positively influence the creativity and motivation of those who are in these educational spaces.
What is EDU-LIGHT based on?
The key is to understand how light, particularly sunlight, impacts biological rhythms. The natural cycle of light and dark synchronises our internal clock, known as the circadian rhythms. However, prolonged exposure to artificial light, especially high-intensity or “blue light”, can inhibit the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating these cycles.
That is why HCL seeks to align artificial lighting with the physiological and psychological needs of people, thus enhancing their well-being. Adequate light not only improves concentration, but can also improve sleep quality, academic performance, and adaptation to seasonal changes.
What is EDU-LIGHT?
EDU-LIGHT is a project coordinated and executed by the CICAT Lighting Cluster, the Cluster’s Health & Wellness Working Group, where the partner companies ASSELUM, E2 INGENIERIA, ERCO, GIANO PRODUCTORA ÉTICA, KUMUX, LAMP, LUTRON and VOSSLOH. SCHWABE participate. It has the collaboration of the UPC School and the support of ACCIÓ.
The project is offering a complete renovation of the lighting system in one of the UPC School classrooms. These new facilities are not only equipped with control systems but also personalise the lighting according to the specific needs of the users and the activities carried out in the space at any given time.
The potential benefits are enormous. From improved sleep quality to increased academic performance and greater adaptability to different teaching activities, HCL is proving to be a powerful tool for improving the educational environment.
But the impact goes beyond the classrooms. The data collected and the conclusions drawn could be applied to a variety of environments, from offices to hospitals and public spaces, thus contributing to an overall improvement in quality of life and promoting energy efficiency in buildings.
KUMUX’s contribution to the EDU-LIGHT project
KUMUX, as a specialist in dynamic lighting and experts in the impact of artificial lighting on circadian rhythms, is responsible for the circadian study and implementation of the project. To achieve this, KUMUX engineers have tailored the dynamic CCT settings throughout the day taking into account the geolocation, learning activities and the luminaire’s spectrum. They have also automated these dynamic settings into the control provided by Lutron, ensuring that artificial lighting adjusts to the students’ circadian rhythm, impacting them appropriately and according to their biological needs.
Thanks to this collaboration, well-being and academic performance of students can significantly improve, demonstrating the power of advanced dynamic lighting technology in the educational field.
