Recently, Digital Trends profiled a Paolo di Trapani, and his work has a lot of people excited. For all the rapid progress that has been made with LEDs, no one else has made this important step towards recreating natural light.

The article explains how lighting innovations have allowed people to use artificial light in a number of amazing ways. We can change the color temperature of a light bulb with a smartphone, and we can grow food indoors, but we haven’t yet been able to mimic the way the atmosphere scatters the sun’s natural light…until now.

According to Digital Trends, di Trapani’s technology scatters the light of a panel of white LEDs with “a clear plastic panel studded with nanoparticles that are invisible to the naked eye.” What’s a nanopartical? A nanoparticle is what it sounds like: A really small particle. Nanoparticle research is currently hot because there are tons of ways that nanoparticle research could be applied in biomedical, optical, and electronic fields.

All bathroom spaces have high levels of humidity and moisture and this is unavoidable. However, if the moisture is allowed to linger in the air for a very long time without being vented out of the space, it can result in mould and mildew growth on the grouting, the drywall structure as well as along the window ceilings and air conditioning ducts and can damage other aspects of your home’s structure as well.

In some cases, water damage may also occur which can become expensive to fix. That is why every bathroom in your home or commercial property should have an exhaust fan installation to suck out the moisture from the air and release it outside the structure. This may seem like an easy job and DIY enthusiasts sometimes feel, it’s a job they would be able to manage themselves.

But the fact is it’s never a good idea to play with electricity. Even something as seemingly simple as an exhaust fan installation can pose the risk of electrocution or death when handled incorrectly. The bathroom exhaust fan installation has to be handled with care, primarily due to the high moisture content interacting with the electricity that’s running through your exhaust fan.

Science fiction aficionados may appreciate today’s blog post on one of the fundamental ingredients needed to create an other-worldly retreat where you can … well, space-out. From childhood bedrooms to multi-million dollar estates, science fiction has been the motivation for some of the most amazing spaces ever. Call it your Star Wars Sanctuary, Asimov Alcove, or Halo Haven, sci-fi rooms all have similar characteristics that give it their “universal” appeal. LIGHT.

One of the most popular settings for a fictional future is in outer-space. A black landscape, interrupted only by the flickering of shining planets & stars is the perfect backdrop for sci-fi design. LED fiber optic ceiling lights will make you look like you’re in space.

Patience and attention to detail will go a long way when installing these kits. You’ll find detailed instructions Make a home-made star constellation projector with star printables and a flashlight to mark real constellations!

Did you know that today is National Science Fiction Day, as well as Isaac Asimov’s birthday? 

By Clarissa Allison | January 6th, 2017

A new year is the perfect opportunity to achieve balance at work and at home. Many of us have big plans for 2017, and making aesthetic and practical changes to our surroundings can kick start a positive influence that lasts throughout the year. One of the ways to refresh our environment is to experiment with new lighting options in our decor choices. Read on for lighting suggestions that will keep you on trend as well as helping with energy savings!

Arc and Tripod Floor Lamps

Lighting fixtures as main focal points  and statement pieces are what’s happening now. Modern and sleek designs that that take center stage can transform an entire space. Floor lamps in unexpected silhouettes such as arcing designs, and with clean details like linen shades add a fun dimension to dark metals. Highly stylized but simple floor lamps have returned as an important design element, and arcing floor lamps complement your reading nook or living room perfectly. Likewise, tripod floor lamps offer the mid-century appeal created by the sophisticated Scandinavian designs of the 1960′s.

Industrial Lighting Fixtures

 Jewel Toned Accents

Last year, decorating in pastel shades of pink and blue were a common sight in contemporary homes, but jewel tones are now what’s in demand going forward. Look for lighting fixtures in berry hues with accents like scroll-work, chrome or rounded details. Even a lampshade in a rich tone conveys a warmth and romantic element to your surroundings. The best part? You don’t have to purchase large, expensive pieces to achieve this look. Simply add a couple of pretty table lamps to a sofa table to set the baseline for your living room’s theme.

Smart Home Lighting

Whenever looking at electrical devices or equipment, many people are confused by the difference between amps and volts, making it difficult for them to understand the purpose of each. By learning what each of these important electrical terms means, you can better use your electrical devices in a safe manner, which will help you avoid any electrical shocks, tripped breakers or other electrical mishaps.

Amps

One of the easiest ways to understand the difference between these electrical terms is to look at them from a more physical viewpoint. In order to do this, we will compare each with its plumbing equivalent. Imagine water running through a hose. Simply put, amps are just like the water that is flowing through the hose.

Volts

The amount of water running through a hose depends largely on the pressure that is forcing the water through the hose. In electrical terms, the amount of pressure forcing electricity through the wire is referred to as Volts. Whenever you combine the two, and multiply Amps x Volts, you get Watts. Watts would be the equivalent of the amount of electricity that is coming out of the wire at any given moment (Amps) and the amount of pressure pushing the electricity through the wire (Volts).

One of the most important reasons to understand these terms is to keep them in mind when using several different devices and appliances on a single circuit in your home. Each circuit in your home is protected by a circuit breaker that is designed to shut off the flow of power if the circuit becomes overloaded. By understanding how much electricity each appliance is designed to draw, you can more safely and effectively spread your appliances across your circuits.

If you notice that you have a circuit that is frequently tripping, or showing other signs of power drain, call an electrician right away. This could be a sign of deeper issues. If you are interested in more information about this or other electrical topics, our team at The Electric Connection has put together a solid list of related tips and articles in our website.