LEDs

On the 100th anniversary of Edison’s tungsten bulb, alternative lighting methods that use less energy and reduce pollution are gaining ground. Fluorescent (FL) or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs save energy but also have drawbacks such as unnatural color that may not be pleasing to the eye or in the case of CFL bulbs in particular, they may not fit in recessed lighting fixtures. And perhaps the most important issue, both FL and CFL bulbs contain mercury, requiring special handling for bulb disposal after use.

On the horizon is a promising new technology, Light Emitting Diode (LED) devices that can provide a good replacement.

Solid state (light emitting diode, known as LEDs) street lights, an energy saving device for water heaters, more efficient elevators, and a massaging mouse won top honors at this year’s Future Science Star competition in Shanghai, China.

As countries look for ways to reduce their carbon footprints, lighting, which uses nearly 20% of the world’s energy, has become a key target — and increasingly solid state lighting (both LED and OLED-based) is being explored as an energy-efficient answer.

We’ve all heard about LEDs, but what about OLEDs? Both generate light using semiconductor technology, use less energy and are typically longer lasting than the incandescent or gas filled bulbs they are slated to replace: but that is where the resemblance stops.

Recently, the MIT Club of Northern California Cleantech Series presented “The Coming Ramp of Solid State Lighting,” a panel discussion held at Applied Materials' offices in California.

Panelists included representatives from Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) emerging technologies division, CEOs from two promising start-ups — Exclara and Luxim Corporation, the vice president of Strategy and Marketing form Philip

The United States Government's Department of Energy (DOE) is running a contest, named the L Prize, to reward the first organization to design and develop an energy efficient LED bulb. A recent article in the New York Times describes both the contest and the recent submission from lighting giant Philips. The prize for a replacement 60 watt bulb is $10 million dollars and for a replacement reflector flood lamp it's $5 million dollars.