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Brighter LED Lights Could Replace Household Light Bulbs Within Three Years
Science Daily ^ | 1-10-2008 | University of Glasgow.

Posted on 01/10/2008 3:14:22 PM PST by blam

Brighter LED Lights Could Replace Household Light Bulbs Within Three Years

ScienceDaily (Jan. 10, 2008) — Researchers are developing new technology that could replace the household light-bulb within three years.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), already used in electrical equipment such as computers and mobile phones, are several times more energy efficient than standard light-bulbs. However, because of their structure and material, much of the light in standard LEDs becomes trapped, reducing the brightness of the light and making them unsuitable as the main lighting source in the home.

Now researchers believe they have found a way of introducing a new generation of LEDs into households that are brighter and use even less power than standard energy efficient light-bulbs.

Dr Faiz Rahman, the researcher leading the project at the University of Glasgow, said: “By making microscopic holes on the surface of the LEDs it is possible to extract more light, thus increasing the brightness of the lights without increasing the energy consumption. As yet, LEDs have not been introduced as the standard lighting in homes because the process of making the holes is very time consuming and expensive. However, by using world-class facilities at the University of Glasgow we believe we have found a way of imprinting the holes into billions of LEDs at a far greater speed, but at a much lower cost.

“LEDs not only use less power than current energy efficient light-bulbs but they are much smaller and can last years without needing to be replaced. This means the days of the humble light-bulb could soon be over.”

The team of researchers use a technique called nano-imprint lithography to directly imprint the holes, imperceptible to the human eye, onto the LEDs allowing more of the light to escape.

The project is being developed in conjunction with the Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde, Mesophotonics Ltd and Sharp Laboratories of Europe, as part of the BERR Technology Programme.

Adapted from materials provided by University of Glasgow.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bulbs; led; light; lights
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1 posted on 01/10/2008 3:14:25 PM PST by blam
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To: blam

Anything is better than those mercury-filled seizure-causing light bulbs that liberals are pushing.


2 posted on 01/10/2008 3:17:55 PM PST by Always Right
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To: blam
If they turn on as soon as you hit the switch...
If they are bright as soon as they come on rather than waiting for them to warm up...
If they don't have a "hum" when they are on...

Then I will gladly pay the higher price for them vs those spiral crap lightbulbs.

3 posted on 01/10/2008 3:18:06 PM PST by icwhatudo (The rino borg...is resistance futile?)
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To: blam

Light bulbs are so old school. Has there been a significant change in them in the last 60 years or so?


4 posted on 01/10/2008 3:18:21 PM PST by Borges
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To: blam

Just so long as they aren’t BLUE!


5 posted on 01/10/2008 3:19:19 PM PST by unspun (God save us from egos -- especially our own.)
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To: blam
In a way, we all had to know this was coming eventually.

I can't even fathom the amount of electric power this could probably will save.

Already I'm seeing LED traffic control signs, tail-lights, etc.

6 posted on 01/10/2008 3:19:41 PM PST by capt. norm (Those who think logically provide a nice contrast to the real world.)
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To: icwhatudo

“Yes” on all three counts.


7 posted on 01/10/2008 3:20:28 PM PST by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is aborting, buggering, and contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: blam

Looks like a bright idea......

Bada-bing.....


8 posted on 01/10/2008 3:20:35 PM PST by nevergore ("It could be that the purpose of my life is simply to serve as a warning to others.")
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To: Always Right

They’re great! They live forever, draw way less power than flourescent, can be made to mimic incandescent color, and can work with dimmers.

But they cost a mint.

$22 for a bulb.


9 posted on 01/10/2008 3:20:40 PM PST by Crazieman (The Democrat Party: Culture of Treason)
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To: capt. norm

They did a special on HGTV with a house that had completely over decorated with LED Christmas lights. Thousands of them, only raised the power bill $30.

I looked at them for my house, but right now they are PRICEY and best used for task lighting. I didn’t see anything that would replace a 60w lightbulb yet.

Or that could just be me not understanding what all the technical stuff meant. :-)


10 posted on 01/10/2008 3:22:08 PM PST by RikaStrom (The number one rule of the Kama Sutra is that you both be on the same page.../Exeter 051705)
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To: capt. norm

Actually, not that much electricity will be saved. The big power users in your house are the water heater, your electric central heat (even if it’s a heat pump), the electric clothes dryer, and the refrigerator. When they improve the efficiency of these things, then we’ll really save some juice.


11 posted on 01/10/2008 3:22:54 PM PST by wolfpat (If you don't like the Patriot Act, you're really gonna hate Sharia Law.)
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To: Crazieman
But they cost a mint. $22 for a bulb.

Cost is dropping fairly quickly. Would probably drop even faster if the govt didn't MANDATE a replacement for incandescents, so that competition drove prices down.

12 posted on 01/10/2008 3:24:59 PM PST by PapaBear3625
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To: RikaStrom

We had 1000 LED lights for Christmas and they only draw 30 watts.


13 posted on 01/10/2008 3:25:33 PM PST by svcw (There is no plan B.)
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To: blam

What do they look like in screw in type bulbs?


14 posted on 01/10/2008 3:25:37 PM PST by Anti-Bubba182
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To: Crazieman

They are expensive initially but their lifetimes are measured in years. I’ve heard as much as 10-15 years. How many regular light bulbs would you have bought in that time? And, as the technology develops, it will get cheaper.


15 posted on 01/10/2008 3:26:26 PM PST by Reaganesque (Charter Member of the Romney FR Resistance)
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To: capt. norm
Have you seen the new LED Christmas Lights? Driving around this year I noticed many homes that used to use these standard multicolored mini lights

are now using these brighter LED ones:


16 posted on 01/10/2008 3:26:45 PM PST by icwhatudo (The rino borg...is resistance futile?)
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To: unspun

You might be thinking about the ‘temperature’ of the color. ‘Cooler’ light has a blue hue. I like those lights.


17 posted on 01/10/2008 3:26:59 PM PST by wastedyears (This is my BOOMSTICK)
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To: icwhatudo

They meet your criteria. Unfortunately, they are currently expensive. However, price is dropping quickly.


18 posted on 01/10/2008 3:27:11 PM PST by rmlew (Huckabee flip flops so much it makes Romney cringe)
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To: blam
More of these and then who cares what friggin light bulb you have...........

Solved.

No more fretting over trivial crap like light bulbs.

19 posted on 01/10/2008 3:28:23 PM PST by Names Ash Housewares
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To: Always Right
LED’s in three years! This is why we are now required to buy these new fluorescent bulbs by 2009.
20 posted on 01/10/2008 3:28:34 PM PST by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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