Eric J. Wilhelm is the founder of Instructables. He has a Ph.D. from MIT in Mechanical Engineering. Eric believes in making technology accessible through understanding, and strives to inspire others ...
Eric J. Wilhelm is the founder of Instructables. He has a Ph.D. from MIT in Mechanical Engineering. Eric believes in making technology accessible through understanding, and strives to inspire others to learn as much as they can and share it with those around them. Read about Instructables' history: http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_Start_a_Business_1/ and meet the others on the Instructables team [http://www.instructables.com/about/ .
In addition to his doctorate, Eric earned his SB, and SM degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT, where he developed methods to print electronics and micro-electromechanical systems using nanoparticles. He co-founded Squid Labs http://www.squid-labs.com, an innovation and design partnership, and a number of Squid Labs spin-off companies including Potenco http://www.potenco.com, producing a human-powered generator for cell phones and laptops; Makani http://www.makanipower.com, an energy company seeking to harness high-altitude wind; and OptiOpia http://www.optiopia.com, developing low-cost portable vision-testing and lens-fabricating devices.
Eric has been recognized as one of the top innovators under 35 years old by Technology Review :http://www.instructables.com/community/Eric_wins_TR35_Innovation_Award/, and was awarded the National Inventors Hall of Fame Collegiate Inventors Award for the development of a printing technique used to create patterns in films of nanoparticles or polymers with resolutions reaching into the 10's of nanometers.
Contact him at his Instructables profile by clicking the "Private Message Me" button, or by guessing his email address @instructables.com (it's easy).
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"Blue and RoyalBlue power light sources represented here are IEC825 class 2 for eye safety."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_safety#Class_2
This means that LED can cause damage is the user stares at them. HB LEDs should always have a diffusor in front of them.
I am looking into the blue light hazard and while it is not completely settled at what point it starts to be dangerous, it is clear that small point sources will be much worse than diffuse ones. Given how powerful the Luxeons are, I would STRONGLY urge you to use a diffuser. Even a thick piece of vellum an inch (3cm) away would help a lot.
If the mechanism for BLH is as expected, even 480nm light is likely to be hazardous, and even when diffused. 505nm light ("Cyan" for Luxeons) would be < 10% as dangerous as blue while being 60% as effective for reducing melatonin levels (the presumed mechanism for reducing SAD and restoring circadian rhythm).
So I am looking at building a box with 505nm to replace my Philips unit.
Finally, make sure the light box is in your upper peripheral vision - it appears the receptors for melatonin/circadian are there, and the area of most concern for BLH is the macula (center point of vision).
http://www.instructables.com/id/Blue-LED-dawn-simulator-for-Soleil-Sun-Alarm/