Even More Efficient: New LED Hailed as “The Holy Grail of Lighting”
Posted by lindseyshoe
A recent announcement about a new technology for cheaper, light-emitting diode or LED bulbs by Cambridge University is being called the “Holy Grail of Lighting.”
Professor Colin Humphreys, the lead scientist on this project claims, “This could well be the holy grail in terms of providing our lighting needs for the future.”
Why the excitement?
It’s well known that long used incandescent light bulbs are inefficient. In fact, only ten percent of the energy required is to produce light. The other 90 % of energy produces unwanted heat. Despite their inefficiency, incandescent light bulbs were both familiar and of course of cheap. Well, cheap to buy but not cheap to use in terms of electricity costs or in terms of the unaffordable carbon foot print left on the environment. The carbon foot print is so undeniably unaffordable that over 40 countries, including the United States, Australia and Italy have all mandated an over time ban to prohibit the sale of incandescents.
Would we all be left in the dark? No. Fluorescents and compact fluorescents called CFLs had already hit the stage offering 10 times more efficiency but for at least 4 times the cost. Of course the higher cost of using CFLs is recovered in energy cost over time. However, fluorescent light bulbs have had to overcome an image problem including what consumers equated as an “unnatural light” and a stuttered delay coming on. While these issues have been addressed, their reputation still precedes them. Another rub for CFL light bulbs is the fact that they contain trace amounts of mercury, which makes them unsuitable for disposal. While some communities and companies like IKEA and Home Depot will collect CFLs for proper disposal, the environmentally minded have been torn over the energy efficient benefits verses the safe disposal issues.
Next on the scene were LED lights that boast an amazing 100,000 hours of light with no mercury involved. So why has the applause been so quiet? The LED replacement bulbs cost $25.00 to $50.00 a pop so despite their long lasting technology many consumers were simply not able to come into the light.
So how will this new “Holy Grail of Lighting” save us?
Like current LED lights, the new technology announced by Cambridge University uses gallium nitride which is a man-made semiconductor. In the past, gallium nitride was produced using sapphire wafers. When you hear the word sapphire you can understand the high cost. New research has made it possible to grow gallium nitride on silicon wafers cutting the cost considerably.
Key Comparisons for the new LED lights Hailed as the Holy Grail of Lighting:
*Last up to 60 years
*12 times more efficient than conventional incandescent bulbs
* Contains no mercury
*Illuminate instantly with no flicker
* Expected to cost around $2.80
* Can slash lighting bills by 3/4
Prototypes are in the works and these new LED bulbs are expected to be in stores in two years. Researchers say the new technology also has potential to be used for water purification and disease control in the future.
“We are very close to achieving highly efficient, low cost white LEDs that can take the place of both traditional and currently available low-energy light bulbs,” says Humphreys.
So consumers will have to wait a while but the light is on and it seems that energy efficient, eco-friendly and affordable light bulbs are on the horizon.
7 Responses to “Even More Efficient: New LED Hailed as “The Holy Grail of Lighting””
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Slick says:
Think of maintenance savings. How much labor would be saved replacing the spots and accent lighting in 20-40 foot high ceiling lights. Do it once every 50 years. I dont like the 40 high man lifts and working around obstacles is a time killer and a maintenance nightmare. Bring em on. Hey would they be 115 volt or what. WOuld be really sweet if you could wire nto a 12 volt PV solar system.
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chuck says:
how big would these be? i hope they arent like those tiny leds where you need an array for them to achieve proper illumination in a space. these would be killer though. especially since they dont flicker and have close to proper color temperature
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vimal patel says:
can we make solar at our home? if yes than send me the technique % report of it.please
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mcbry says:
Any hopes of testing prototypes in home ??!!
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Hey Vimal,
You might be interested in reading this post on making your own solar at home.
For anyone asking if there are at-home tests, we’ll keep our ears open and let you know if we hear anything about that.
Anyone already doing LED installation able to actually show a study of how much this advancement in LED would save your actual clients? -
Dan says:
Some LED bulbs are out now, but I’ve only seen them in 40 and 45 watt outputs. I have the 40 watt bulbs in my bedroom ceiling fan and they come on instantly – unlike some of the new CFL bulbs. The lower watt outputs take some getting used to, but since they only use 1.5 watts each they are mighty attractive.
I would take 60 years over 900 hours any day.