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RewindGlow Introduces Micro-Infusion LED System for Superior Colour Fidelity and Energy Efficiency

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RewindGlow’s Micro‑Infusion System: The Science Behind a New Era of LED Lighting

The lighting industry has long been dominated by the “white LED” approach—white light is generated by a blue LED chip that is coated with a yellow phosphor. While this technology has become ubiquitous, it suffers from several shortcomings: limited colour fidelity, high energy consumption, and a lack of flexibility for architects who want to create dynamic, immersive spaces. RewindGlow, a Boston‑based startup, has taken a bold step to address these issues with its “Micro‑Infusion” system. The company’s flagship product, the RewindGlow 3000, promises to deliver up to 90 % greater colour fidelity, a 30 % improvement in luminous efficacy, and unprecedented flexibility in light shaping—all while keeping the cost of installation competitive with traditional fixtures.

Below is a deep dive into the science and engineering behind RewindGlow’s micro‑infusion approach, summarised from the company’s own technical write‑up on TechBullion.


1. The Core Idea: Decoupling Colour Generation from Light Propagation

Traditional white LEDs use a single phosphor layer to convert a narrow spectrum (the blue LED) into a broad, composite spectrum that looks white. The phosphor’s emission is fixed, so any change in colour comes from filtering the output with gels or moving‑part devices. RewindGlow’s system, in contrast, separates colour generation from light distribution. The key innovation is to embed tiny, individually‑addressable LED sub‑chips within a single light source and then use an array of optical diffusers—called micro‑infusion layers—to mix the colour streams as the light exits the fixture.

The micro‑infusion layer is a semi‑transparent polymer that contains micro‑spheres filled with photonic crystals. When the coloured LEDs fire, the micro‑spheres scatter the light and promote wave‑guiding across the surface, effectively blending the hues in a controlled manner. Because the scattering is tunable by adjusting the size and refractive index of the spheres, the system can produce a full spectrum of whites (cool, warm, daylight) as well as vivid colour gradients.


2. Phased‑Array LED Drivers: Precision on a Micrometer Scale

To drive the thousands of tiny LEDs that make up a RewindGlow fixture, the company uses a phased‑array driver architecture. Unlike a conventional driver that simply toggles all LEDs on or off, the phased‑array driver can address individual LEDs in rapid succession—much like a television screen’s scan line. This approach offers two major advantages:

  1. Energy Efficiency: By pulsing each LED only for the time it is needed to achieve the target colour and intensity, the system reduces overall power draw. The driver also operates in a constant‑current mode, preventing flicker and improving lumen maintenance.

  2. Dynamic Colour Control: With real‑time control of each sub‑chip, the fixture can perform complex colour‑shifting sequences—ideal for theatrical lighting or smart‑home environments that respond to voice commands or sensor inputs.

The driver’s firmware incorporates a colour‑science algorithm that maps desired CIE chromaticity coordinates to individual LED intensity values, accounting for spectral overlap and micro‑infusion scattering. This algorithm is open‑source and can be fine‑tuned by third‑party lighting designers.


3. Thermally Optimised Phosphor Coatings

Because the micro‑infusion layers rely on scattering rather than phosphor conversion, RewindGlow can use thermally‑robust phosphors that remain stable under higher operating temperatures. The company’s proprietary phosphor blend—based on YAG:Ce and Eu‑doped garnet—offers a spectral output that is remarkably stable over a 70 °C temperature range, which is essential for high‑density LED arrays. By shifting the thermal load away from the phosphor and into the micro‑infusion layer, the system mitigates hot‑spot formation and extends the life of the LED die.


4. Optical Design: From Micro‑Infusion to Macro‑Illumination

The RewindGlow 3000’s optical head is a key component of its performance. It consists of a hybrid optical system that marries a conventional reflective collimator with a micro‑infusion scattering layer. Light exits the LED array, hits the scattering layer, and is then focused by the collimator to produce a uniform beam profile. This design allows the fixture to be used both as a spot and as a flood, depending on the diffuser selected. The flexibility is demonstrated in the product’s spec sheet, which lists 16 different beam angles (30°–120°) that can be achieved by simply swapping out a diffuser panel.

The micro‑infusion layer also enables colour‑changing beam shaping without the need for moving parts. By adjusting the LED intensity pattern in the driver, designers can shift the colour balance from a warm amber to a crisp daylight, all while keeping the beam spread constant.


5. Environmental and Safety Considerations

RewindGlow’s approach to light shaping has several environmental benefits. Because the system eliminates the need for high‑power blue LEDs and thick phosphor layers, it reduces power consumption and the risk of UV‑induced degradation of interior finishes. Additionally, the micro‑infusion layers are made from a recyclable polymer that meets REACH and RoHS compliance, making the fixture attractive to sustainability‑focused architects.

The company has also conducted rigorous electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing. The phased‑array driver’s rapid switching pattern can generate high‑frequency EMI, but the firmware’s synchronised pulsing and the use of low‑pass filtering in the driver board keep emissions well below IEC 60601‑1‑2 standards.


6. How It All Comes Together: A Real‑World Example

One of the TechBullion article’s most compelling sections describes a pilot installation at the Harvard Design Lab. The lab’s walls are lined with RewindGlow 3000 fixtures, each set to a different beam angle and colour temperature. The micro‑infusion system enabled the lab to switch from a warm, inviting ambience during brainstorming sessions to a crisp, focused daylight tone for product demos—all without any manual adjustments.

The installation also featured an interactive app that allowed users to select from pre‑configured lighting scenes. Behind the scenes, the app sent real‑time colour‑coordinate commands to the micro‑infusion system, which then translated them into LED sub‑chip patterns. Photographs captured in the article show the room’s lighting “transcending” the physical boundaries of the fixtures, a testament to the system’s ability to create seamless gradients across a space.


7. Takeaways for Architects, Designers, and Tech Enthusiasts

  • Colour Fidelity: RewindGlow’s micro‑infusion layers can reproduce CIE 1931 chromaticities within a 1‑degree margin—far better than most commercial LED fixtures.
  • Energy Savings: The phased‑array driver cuts power consumption by 25–35 % compared to a single‑chip white LED, translating to lower operating costs over the fixture’s life.
  • Design Flexibility: Because colour and beam angle are programmable, designers can rethink lighting zones entirely—no more fixed “spot” or “flood” categories.
  • Scalable Architecture: The micro‑infusion concept can be applied to large‑scale LED panels, streetlights, and even automotive lighting, hinting at future cross‑industry applications.

8. Conclusion

RewindGlow’s micro‑infusion system represents a significant leap forward in LED lighting technology. By decoupling colour generation from light propagation, harnessing advanced driver architecture, and integrating thermally‑stable phosphors with an innovative scattering layer, the company has addressed long‑standing pain points in the industry. Whether you’re an architect seeking unparalleled control over your space’s ambience, a sustainability advocate looking to reduce energy consumption, or a lighting hobbyist eager to experiment with programmable hues, the RewindGlow 3000 offers a compelling solution that marries science, engineering, and artistic vision. As the product moves from pilot installations to commercial deployments, it will be fascinating to see how the micro‑infusion paradigm reshapes the way we light our homes, offices, and public spaces.


Read the Full Impacts Article at:
[ https://techbullion.com/the-science-behind-rewindglow-how-the-micro-infusion-system-works/ ]