The window that ISN'T a window: Fake skylight realistically mimics the summer sun - but it'll set you back £40,000
- CoeLux’s artificial skylight mimics the appearance of the sun and sky
- It features a solid layer of nanoparticles that produce Rayleigh scattering
- Rayleigh scattering is what causes the sky to appear blue, for example
- When wavelengths of blue light travel through the atmosphere they are scattered by other particles
- CoeLux also creates an illusion of depth to make the 'sun' appear far away
- Technology mimics light from Tropics, Mediterranean and northern Europe
- Prices start £40,000 ($61,000) plus £5,000 ($7,600) for installation
During the dreary winter months, many of us long for lighter evenings and sun rays hitting our windows.
Now there's a solution - albeit an expensive one - that creates the illusion of summer in any room of the house at any time of year.
Designed by Italian CoeLux, the £40,000 ($61,000) artificial skylight mimics the appearance of the sun and sky using a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering.
Scroll down for video
CoeLux’s artificial skylight (pictured) mimics the visual appearance of the sun and sky using a solid layer of nanoparticles that produce Rayleigh scattering. Rayleigh scattering is what causes the sky to appear blue, for example, and when blue light wavelengths travel through the atmosphere they are scattered
CoeLux was set up by researchers from the University of Insubria, in Italy.
Each artificial skylight is fitted with a solid layer of nanoparticles that causes light to scatter.
Known as Rayleigh scattering, this is what causes the sky to appear blue, for example.
When blue light wavelengths travel through the atmosphere they are scattered by other particles to give the sky its hue.
CoeLux’s technology uses a similar principle to force light from a standard bulb to scatter in the same way.
And it can specifically mimic the brightness and quality of light from the Tropics, Mediterranean and northern Europe.
For example, CoeLux 60 produces 'cooler vertical' rays with the 'maximum luminance contrast of light and shadow,' as seen in tropical regions.
The Mediterranean-based CoeLux 45 skylight features a 45-degree ceiling beam that offers an equal balance of light and shade.
While CoeLux 30 uses a 30-degree angle beam relative to the horizon to reproduce 'a warm, Nordic grazing light.'
The layer inside each aritificial skylight also creates an illusion of depth to make the 'sun' appear to be far away.
For more videos of ground-breaking lighting innovations, visit Lux magazine's YouTube channel
The CoeLux technology also creates an illusion of depth to make the 'sun' appear to be far away. It can specifically mimic the brightness and quality of light from the Tropics, Mediterranean and northern Europe
‘CoeLux is an optical system based on nano technology to artificially reproduce the natural light and visual appearance of the sun and sky,' said the company.
‘[It] offers a breakthrough opportunity for indoor architecture by creating the sensation of infinite space.
The firm added that CoeLux is ideal for airports, offices, gyms and museums as well as underground networks and parking garages.
In addition to £40,000 ($61,000) for the technology, installation costs £5,000 ($7,600) and requires at least 3.3ft (one metre) of ceiling recess for it to fit in.
CoeLux is hoping that the technology could also be used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other conditions.
Chief executive and Associate Professor of Optics and Experimental Physics, Paolo Di Trapani said: 'Besides SAD, we see plenty of possible applications of CoeLux in hospitals.'
'Naturally, CoeLux is foreseen to improve the quality of the overall treatment, with respect to comfort and [relaxation], with benefit both for the patient and the hospital.'
The firm said CoeLux is ideal for airports, offices, gyms and museums as well as underground networks and parking garages. In addition to £40,000 ($61,000) for the technology, installation costs £5,000 ($7,600) and requires at least 3.3ft (one metre) of ceiling recess for it to fit in
CoeLux was set up by researchers from the University of Insubria, in Italy. The firm is hoping the technology could also be used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other conditions
Most watched News videos
- David Cameron: 'Keir Starmer has absolutely no plan at all!'
- Mass brawl 'involving machetes' sends 22 to the hospital in Sheffield
- The 'lifelong Tory voter' actually a Labour councillor
- Shocking footage shows moment Ukrainian DIY shop is bombed by Russia
- Moment frustrated Brit caught up in huge tourism protest
- 'Shoplifter' lobs chocolate at staff while being chucked out of Tesco
- Labour's Angela Rayner 'pleading' for votes at Muslim meeting
- BBC newsreader apologises to Nigel Farage over impartiality breach
- Massive fire engulfs refugee camp in Rafah after Israeli airstrike
- 'I'm hearing this for the first time': Wes Streeting on Diane Abbott
- All hands OFF deck! Hilarious moment Ed Davey falls off paddle board
- Teenagers attack an India restaurant owner in West Sussex village