Next Generation Light Bulb | Green Energy News

March 3, 2002 – Vol.6 No.49

NEXT GENERATION LIGHT BULB?

Even more energy efficient than compact fluorescent or conventional fluorescent lighting are light emitting diodes (LED’s). LED’s can use up to 90% less electricity than incandescent light bulbs. They are also durable and can last up to 100,000 hours.

LED’s come in a variety of colors, but a white light that is pleasing to the eye - and that consumers would accept - has been the big challenge for LED manufacturers for a few years now.

Lumileds is the first to develop an experimental white light headlamp for use in cars. Though we wouldn’t want a car headlamp for our bedside reading light, this development does show that LED’s can be powerful enough for general lighting. Overall, considerable progress is being made on the technology. (LED headlamps in cars would save a bit of fuel too.)

Lumileds is a joint venture of Agilent Technologies and Philips Lighting. Visit them at http://www.lumileds.com/ .