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Traditional home decor is completely analog. You simply buy a piece of furniture or artwork that you like and bring it home with you. Semiconductors have changed this field, just like they’ve revolutionized almost every other one. As a result, you’re likely to find some pretty high-tech equipment in even the most humble of places these days. Check out these three surprising places where you’ll find semiconductors in home decor products, and there’s a good chance you’ll want to finally redecorate your living room.
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1. LED-Based Lighting Systems
Light-emitting diodes generate light without creating a great deal of heat, which has made them a popular choice for those trying to get rid of the harsh light that comes from fluorescent tubes. They’re able to generate so much light per watt of consumed power because they’re built out of semiconductor chips that glow when current passes through them. Due to some recent regulatory actions, you’re likely to see even more of these which is why home decor experts have been figuring out innovative ways to use them.
Tech-savvy homeowners have found it easy to connect even the most complicated LED lighting arrays to their smartphones so they can control everything remotely. This gives new meaning to the expression of designing with light while simultaneously making homes safer. Some devices even give users the freedom to change colors at will.
2. Gorgeous Designer Stereos
A combination of beautiful cabinet work with excellent engineering has made stereos more than just a way to listen to music. They’re now an important piece of home decor for the first time since the era of vacuum tubes. Interior designers have worked with automotive industry semiconductor suppliers to get the same quality of parts that go in high-end car stereos and installed them in polished wood cabinets. Homeowners can enjoy these pieces both as furniture and very functional multimedia devices.
Due to their semiconductor-driven design, they can do far more than just play compact discs. They’ll connect via Bluetooth or auxiliary cords to stream rich content from nearly every online service out there.
3. Digital Picture Frames
Conventional frames hold a printed photograph mounted inside of them, which means you can only ever display one picture at a time. Digital frames accept images sideloaded over a serial cable and change them out periodically. These actually contain a miniaturized computer that leverages the power of semiconductors to process the files and turn them into lighted pixels. More than likely, the screen itself is loaded with a series of semiconductors that generate said light. Onboard software consists of something similar to the wallpaper setting applications used by most Unix systems and mobile devices. Smaller versions connect to a keychain, so even that place you throw everything when you come home from work can look stylish.
Engineers are hard at work designing circuit boards that pack more functionality into an even smaller space. That means it won’t be long before you start seeing them installed in everything from coffee tables to your closet doors. Look around your house for items that rely on semiconductors to work, and you’ll be surprised at how many you find.
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