Ultraluminous LED Light and Art Projects

Brian Neltner & Janet Fox

Updated July 23, 2010 with the new Light Brick System!

Table of Contents:

  1. Updates
  2. Purpose
  3. Background
  4. Theory
  5. Work to Date
  6. Media!
  7. Applications and Installations
  8. Light Brick (NEW!)
  9. Ultraluminous Illuminator UV+LED Light Fixture
  10. Design Details and Schematic Downloads
  11. Inquiries, Collaborations, and Contact
  12. About the Artists

About the Artists

Brian Neltner is currently working as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Weimer Lab at the University of Colorado in Boulder. His research involves developing advanced catalysts for energy applications including biomass gasification, the fischer-tropsch reaction, alcohol production from synthesis gas, and bio-oil upgrading.

Brian Neltner received his PhD from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT in May 2010 for his work using viruses to produce catalysts for ethanol reforming. He received dual bachelors degrees in Physics and Materials Science and Engineering in 2005, and has been working actively with using light and color as a medium for art since 2006.

Brian is an amateur musician, having performed a wide variety of choral and solo vocal music, and is a hobbiest electronic music composer. He is a second degree black belt in karate and an instructor for the Shotokan Karate Club, having been the president and captain of the team from 2004-2010. Brian is very interested in meditation and metaphysics, and is particularly inspired by the "Tao Te Ching" and Osho's Book of Secrets. He also was the coordinator for the MIT Pagan Students' Group for seven years.

Janet Fox lives in the Washington, D.C, region, and is a communications and outreach project director working to improve energy efficiency as a government contractor and as a volunteer. She is also a part-time artist with a special interest in dream-inspired and abstract art, primarily creating mixed-media paintings.

Janet began exhibiting and selling artwork in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the 1990's. Several paintings have received awards, and a number of works have been published. She is currently working with Brian on new paintings for a collaborative exhibition of LED + Art, planned for viewing in Boston, Massachussettes, in late 2008 or 2009.

Also with thanks to Keith Durand and Mike Tarkanian
for their help in designing the mechanical parts of
the light, as well as to Dan Taub for his help with
programming the computer interface.

Dedicated to the Loving Memory of Kevin "FrostByte" McCormick
LED artist, brother from another mother, and inspiration to us all.
Funded (in part) by a Director's Grant from the Council for the Arts at MIT.
All Content Copyright © 2010 Brian Neltner
All Rights Reserved