Vexica Technologies Ltd, a manufacturer of high-end LED lighting systems, is seeking to develop a new high definition lighting (HDL) system for their customers. HDL is defined by the colour rendering index (CRI), where a CRI of 100 is the same as standardised daylight and HDL has a CRI\>96\. Vexica have a novel approach to achieving HDL which they believe will cause significant market disruption due to the unique characteristics the final product will have. Better lighting improves well-being, especially in health care environments. The technology may also find application in other sectors. Their patent/ literature searches have revealed no other similar technology and they will patent the result if successful. Their route to market will be through their existing sales channels and Vexica expect to generate a significant number of jobs at their manufacturing plant in Leeds; as well as supporting their UK supply chain.

LED lighting units require an individual AC power input and drive system encompassing electrolytic capacitors which overheat; their life expectancy is 2 to 3000 hrs. Secondly, installing current LED lighting solutions into elaborate architectural designs is limited by the necessity to incorporate individual drivers and power inputs into each lighting unit. Installations are time and labour intensive with the requirements of extensive and unattractive mains wiring and cable looms giving rise to limited design flexibility. Finally, reproducing colours of various objects faithfully (i.e. colour rendering Index - CRI) and the ability to eradicate unwanted ‘stepping’ when dimming are also attributes the lighting industry are keen to address. Vexica aims to conduct a period of R&D to prove the technical and commercial potential of designing and developing a new LED lighting construct in order to address industry and customer concerns. Fundamental to the design is substituting the cumbersome external driver system for new on-board ‘solid state’ technology allowing up to 50 one metre LED lighting strips to be powered by a single AC mains input. Further, Vexica propose developing circuitry which will enable the ability to dim using TRIAC dimming modules. Fundamental also will be the design of a new type of plastic casing based on a unique proprietary mechanical ‘linkable’ system (like Lego) which will allow continuous unbroken shapes to be designed and installed quickly and at a cheaper cost. The internal profile of the mixing chamber will be re-designed using a new identified or formulated material which gives rise to superior light extraction through diffuse and homogenous reflection. The light-emission window is to be coated with new remote phosphor technology for low glare, high luminous efficacy and enhanced colour rendering. This also addresses colour consistency delivering reliable correlated colour temperatures that are consistent to 2-3 MacAdam Ellipses.