I tried making artificial sunlight at home (victorpoughon.fr)

Article summary

The author attempted to create artificial sunlight at home using a grid of lenses and LEDs, inspired by a DIY project that used a parabolic reflector. The author designed and built a device with a 6x6 array of LEDs and a custom lens system, using 3D modeling and simulation software to optimize the design. The device was assembled and tested, with some design flaws and limitations noted. The author estimates that the device achieves a brightness of around 1000-10000 lux, which is less than the target of 10000 lux but still provides a noticeable effect.

Main themes

• Artificial sunlight
• DIY projects
• LED lighting
• Optics and lens design
• Home lighting solutions
• Innovation and experimentation

What commenters say

• Some people find that artificial sunlight devices can improve their mood and productivity, especially during dark winter days.
• The device's compact size and design make it a more practical solution for home use compared to other similar projects.
• Achieving a realistic sunlight effect is challenging, and the device's limitations, such as the lack of angle and glare, are notable.
• Commercial products, such as CoeLux, offer more advanced and expensive solutions for artificial sunlight, but may not be affordable for everyone.
• The use of custom fabrication and 3D printing can make it possible to create complex optical systems at a relatively low cost.
• The device's brightness and effectiveness can be improved with further design iterations and optimization.
• Artificial sunlight devices can have various applications, including improving mental health and enhancing the ambiance of a room.
• The cost of commercial artificial sunlight products can be prohibitively expensive, making DIY solutions more appealing to some users.