Neda Ghaeili Ardabili

Microalgae photobioreactors (PBRs) are promising building-integrated biotechnologies for carbon capture and biomass production; however, their high energy requirements for artificial lighting remain a significant energy barrier in cold climates. This study developed an integrated spectral–optical energy modeling framework to evaluate two PBR deployment strategies in State College, PA: rooftop daylight-exposed integration and basement installation with solar-assisted lighting. Results show that fiber-optic daylighting can supply a substantial fraction of photosynthetically useful light without introducing additional internal heat loads, while photovoltaics sized at approximately 0.40–0.55 kWDC per reactor can offset the annual PBR lighting energy use when sufficient roof area is available. Whole-building energy simulations further reveal that rooftop PBR integration reduces total annual space energy consumption by ~21% relative to basement placement due to lower artificial lighting and cooling loads. When combined, PV and fiber systems can fully meet basement PBR lighting demand, whereas rooftop configurations may rely more on grid electricity. Economically, fiber-optic daylighting achieves comparable lighting offsets at roughly half the annualized cost of PV-based systems, subject to surface-area and routing constraints. Overall, solar-assisted lighting strategies markedly improve the operational sustainability of building-integrated PBRs in cold climates, with fiber-optic daylighting offering substantial spectral and thermal advantages, subject to surface-area availability and routing-related design constraints.

Background: Lighting, especially circadian lighting, significantly affects people with dementia, influencing sleep patterns, daytime alertness, and behavioral symptoms such as agitation. Since individuals experience and respond to light differently, measuring personal lighting exposure is essential for understanding its impact on health. Without individual data, the connection between lighting and health outcomes remains unclear. Wearable sensors provide a practical way to track personal light exposure, helping researchers better assess its effects on circadian rhythms and overall well-being. Objective: This study aims to develop and validate both calibration and predictive models using wearable lighting sensors to assess individual circadian lighting exposure accurately. By leveraging machine learning techniques and empirical data, we seek to establish a reliable method for health care researchers and practitioners to investigate and optimize lighting conditions for improved circadian health in nursing homes, especially for residents with dementia. Methods: A combination of controlled laboratory experiments and on-site data collection was conducted using professional spectrophotometer measurements as ground truth. Calibration models were developed for photopic lux and correlated color temperature, while predictive models estimated circadian metrics such as circadian stimulus. The sensors and the developed models were implemented in a real-world health care research project about bright light therapy intervention at 2 assisted-living facilities. Results: The calibration models for photopic lux and correlated color temperature demonstrated strong accuracy, with an adjusted R ² of 0.858 and 0.982, respectively, ensuring reliable sensor measurements. Predictive models for circadian stimulus were developed using both simple regression and machine learning techniques. The random forest model outperformed linear regression, achieving an adjusted R ² of 0.915 and a cross-validation R ² of 0.857, demonstrating high generalization capability. Upon the implementation of these models, significant individual variations in circadian light exposure were found in the study, highlighting the significance of customized lighting evaluations. These results confirm the effectiveness of wearable sensors, combined with the developed calibration and predictive modeling, in accurately assessing personal circadian light exposure and supporting lighting-related health care research. Conclusions: This study introduces an effective and scalable approach to circadian light assessment using wearable sensors and predictive modeling. By replacing labor-intensive and costly spectrometer measurements, the proposed methodology enables continuous, cost-effective monitoring in health care environments. However, challenges related to sensor wearability, durability, and user compliance were identified, underscoring the need for further sensor design refinements. Future research should focus on refining sensor integration, expanding case studies, and developing adaptive lighting interventions to enhance circadian health in vulnerable populations.