Many residents living on lower floors or in poorly-oriented apartments likely share this frustration: due to insufficient natural light at home, they are forced to keep lights on even during the day—a truly bothersome issue. Today (23rd), reporters learned from Chongqing Century Light Technology Industrial Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Chongqing Yapai Group, that they will showcase multiple "cutting-edge technologies" at this Smart China Expo. Among them is a plastic optical fiber lighting system that can directly channel outdoor light into indoor spaces via optical fibers, eliminating the need to turn on lights while keeping homes bright. Citizens are invited to experience it firsthand at the event.

The company has already collaborated with several universities and enterprises in Chongqing. On the morning of August 22nd, reporters observed at the exhibition hall of Chongqing Century Light Technology Industrial Co., Ltd. that various colorful illumination-grade plastic optical fibers were particularly eye-catching. These fibers ranged in thickness from the size of an adult’s thumb to as fine as a strand of hair, emitting faint or bright light spots at their ends. According to Li Yong, the company’s R&D director, for the general public, lighting is the most intuitive application of plastic optical fibers in daily life. Simply put, the fiber optic lighting system consists of three parts: a light source device, optical fibers, and fixtures (light-emitting ends). The light source is housed in the light source device, which directs light into the fibers for transmission. The light then emits from the fixtures, achieving separation of electricity and light, closely mimicking natural light and ensuring safe, healthy illumination.

Currently, plastic optical fiber integrated cabling has been implemented in numerous government agencies and enterprises nationwide, with in-depth collaborations established with research institutions at universities such as Chongqing University, Chongqing University of Technology, and Jilin University. Plastic optical fibers can also be widely applied in indoor cold-light illumination, decorative lighting, and waterscape lighting. The decorative lighting system primarily uses LEDs as the light source and plastic optical fibers as the light-guiding medium, achieving decorative lighting effects through shaping the ends or sides of the fibers.

"Sometimes, due to factors like orientation, rooms may lack sufficient natural light, requiring lights to be turned on even during the day. However, by installing a plastic optical fiber lighting system at home, daytime outdoor light can be directly channeled indoors via the fibers. Wherever the fibers are installed, light can be guided, making it not only energy-efficient and environmentally friendly but also producing soft, non-glaring light at the ends," Li Yong revealed. He added that the company is already in discussions with several interior design firms in Chongqing, and residents will soon be able to use this system in their homes.

Plastic optical fibers can also enhance network performance. In fact, beyond the visible interplay of light and shadow, plastic optical fibers bring tangible improvements to network signals—something invisible yet deeply felt in the daily lives of both enterprises and individuals. Li Yong noted that plastic optical fibers are free from issues such as electromagnetic interference, data leakage, and signal distortion, making them already adopted by many enterprises and institutions across China. Additionally, due to their stable network signal transmission, low failure rates, and ease of maintenance, they will gradually become commonplace in households, providing citizens with a smoother online experience.

It is reported that Century Light, as a company holding core production technology patents from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a member of the China Communications Standards Association (CCSA), has participated in the formulation of multiple national and industry standards for plastic optical fibers. Furthermore, at this Smart China Expo, Century Light will also showcase its smart energy system. Using plastic optical fibers as communication links between energy devices, this system not only supports centralized electricity meter reading but also extends to functions such as proactive reporting of power outages, real-time monitoring of power supply quality, anti-electricity-theft analysis and warnings, and analysis and recommendations for user electricity consumption behavior. By enabling efficient energy management, it helps alleviate energy supply-demand conflicts, meets diverse business needs, and supports energy supply companies in transitioning to integrated energy services.