Summary
This thesis documents the interdisciplinary development of an LED-based artificial sun projector (CoeLux technology) designed to replicate natural daylight indoors, addressing both the optical engineering and human effects. The resulting system provides a tool for studying how simulated sunlight can support circadian entrainment and psychological wellbeing in windowless or daylight-deprived environments.
Key Findings
- Developed LED-based light projector prototypes meeting defined requirements for recreating natural sun and sky appearance indoors as part of EU projects COELUX and SKYCOAT.
- The system was validated as a cornerstone tool for studying human effects of artificial natural light, though specific quantitative outcome data on human subjects are not reported in the abstract.
- Research was conducted within a framework acknowledging daylight as the primary synchronizer of human circadian rhythms, motivating the technical design requirements.
Categories
Sleep & Circadian Health: The research explicitly addresses circadian rhythm synchronization and the role of natural daylight as the primary circadian entrainer, motivating the artificial sun technology.
The Science of Light: The work covers optical design, LED-based light source engineering, and spectral/technical requirements for recreating natural sunlight indoors.
Mood & Mental Wellness: The project investigates human psychological and wellbeing effects of artificially recreated sunlight environments.
Author(s)
P Ragazzi
Publication Year
2019
Related Publications
Sleep & Circadian Health
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- The twoāprocess model of sleep regulation: a reappraisal
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice
- Strange vision: ganglion cells as circadian photoreceptors
The Science of Light
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- Color appearance models
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice
Mood & Mental Wellness
- The twoāprocess model of sleep regulation: a reappraisal
- Protecting the melatonin rhythm through circadian healthy light exposure
- Effects of artificial dawn and morning blue light on daytime cognitive performance, well-being, cortisol and melatonin levels
- Light therapy and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia: past, present, and future
- The role of daylight for humans: gaps in current knowledge