For our final epsiode of the year, The Meaning of Light invited Scott Zimmerman, world renound lighting veteran, to speak with Atrium CEO, Ulysse Dormoy.

With a background in mechanical engineering, Zimmerman found himself following a path into lighting. This led him to modeling the optical effects of light, particularly near infrared. Since then Scott has been illuminating on the biological impact of near infrared and reduced solar exposure through indoor living. The discussion between Ulysse and Scott was fascinating and covered a range of topics, including melatonin and cortisol, COVID and disease transmission, and the importance of balance in our exposure to light.

Zimmerman challenged conventional wisdom about melatonin and cortisol production. While it’s commonly believed that melatonin is primarily produced at night and cortisol levels decrease, research suggests a more nuanced relationship. When exposed to stressors like exercise, melatonin levels can rise alongside cortisol. This highlights the complexity of our circadian rhythms and the need to consider factors beyond darkness and light.

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, Zimmerman turned his attention to the potential impact of sunlight on disease transmission. Recognising that the vast majority of infections occur indoors and that flu seasons are less severe during summer months, he and his colleagues began investigating the link between sunlight and immunity. Their computational models revealed that sunlight directly affects large droplets by generating germicidal levels of hydrogen peroxide on Earth’s surface. Additionally, sunlight triggers an enhanced immune response in our bodies, further reducing the risk of disease transmission.

Zimmerman emphasised the importance of balance in our exposure to light. In today’s world, we often rely on blue light-blocking technology and red light therapy to address various health issues. However, this can disrupt the delicate balance of our biological rhythms. Even at night, we miss out on the near-infrared light emitted by moonlight, as we spend more time indoors exposed to artificial light sources.

Throughout the conversation, Ulysse and Scott engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue, answering a wide range of questions from our live audience.

We were thrilled to see the level of interest and the insightful questions posed by our viewers.

As we wrap up 2024, we invite you to watch the full recording of this enlightening discussion on our YouTube channel.

In 2025, we’re excited to continue exploring The Meaning of Light with a new group of experts, delving deeper into the science and art of illumination.