New LED light bulbs that will shine for 60 years
The European Union is currently in the process of banning traditional light bulbs due to their non-efficient, environment-harming properties. Which is admirable. But new LED light bulbs could be on the way that make fluorescent bulbs, the current darling of the green movement, look like something from The Flintstones.
It was announced at the beginning of the year that incandescent light bulbs were going to start being phased out in favor of compact fluorescent lights. In Europe, 100 watt bulbs will be banned from September, with all old-fashioned light bulbs gone by 2012.
This move is being done in order to force the adoption of CFL light bulbs, more commonly known as energy-saving or energy-efficient bulbs. But by 2012, CFL bulbs themselves may be old-fashioned and considered defunct, because low-cost, even more energy-efficient bulbs are on the way thanks to a development in LED (light emitting diode) technology.
According to Daily Tech, a team of researchers at Cambridge University have made a huge leap forward in making LED light bulbs a consumer-friendly possibility. They could be ready for the marketplace in five years time, cost a mere $2.85, and last up to 60 years (100,000 hours).
Until now, the cost of producing LED light bulbs has prevented them from becoming widespread. New Scientist explains that the gallium nitride that makes up the LED bulbs cannot be grown on silicon as other electronic components can due to the fast shrinkage rate when it is cooled from its 1000°C prime growing temperature.
Colin Humphreys’ team at the University of Cambridge has solved this problem by including layers of aluminum gallium nitride in their LED bulb designs. This material shrinks at a much slower rate and counteracts the pure form of gallium nitride also present.
The new LED light bulbs would be three times more efficient than their CFL counterparts, light up instantly (which will please the visually impaired out there), last four times longer, and cut energy bills. All in all, these new bulbs make the CFLs in most houses look positively ancient. I wonder how long until the EU bans CFL light bulbs in favor of these beauties?
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January 31st, 2009
Dave shut up, no knows wants to know your opinion on this subject, Take your non-regulation opinions elsewhere, seriously, you have to be the most disliked “journalist” on this site, Do you not read the comments that are posted underneath your write ups?
Do you work for george bush or something?
Stop writing this crap,
Go open your own Blog
Because your ruining this one.
Darian
January 31st, 2009
While I also tire of the author’s opinions intruding on his journalism, this particle article IS far less opinionated than his usual fare! My beef is more about a lack of originality than about opinion. When was the last time you read an article from this author that isn’t on a subject already recently written about elsewhere?
The mass rush to CFL is harmful to the environment. People just plain and simple do not properly dispone of he bulbs and thus the mercury invades our landfills and will percolate into our water supplies.
But imagine buying light fixtures with LED bulbs! Imagine the creative in lighting design that would bring, no longer tied to the “bulb”! Look at how creative automotive designers have been with LED vs. traditional bulbs! Imagine never having tp replace a bulb in your fridge or oven or microwave or chandelier or ceiling fan or whatever. You buy them with LED in them and never in the life of appliance or fixture have to “replace the bulb”. Not THAT is a cool concept.
January 31st, 2009
Darian, if you don’t like what Dave Parrack writes, make a grown-up adult decision – don’t read it!
No-one forces you to open Dave Parrack articles; you do that on your own free will. You might also remember that he and you live in democratic countries where the right of free speech is something our acestors have fought and died for.
If you click on the “About Tech.Blorge” link at the top of the left side bar, you will see the following statement:
“Our mission is to provide gutsy, honest and informed coverage and comment on key technology news and issues, without fear or favor.”
The key word here is comment – also known as opinion – something that Dave is allowed to do as a contributor to Blorge.
As a matter of record, there are times when I have questioned comments of every Blorge writer, and a few readers as well.
One thing I have NEVER said, is to tell them that they should go away and not be seen again.
You might remember that censorship (which is exactly what you are asking for) is a dual-edged sword. If we ban Dave, then we may have to ban you too, for making nasty, irrational, personalised attacks consistently on him in a number posts on a number of subjects.
Go away yourself, have a cold shower and think about how you would feel if you were attacked in a similar manner.
I think it speaks volumes for Dave’s professionalism that he hasn’t sunk to your depths by responding to your vitriol.
February 1st, 2009
Are LED light bulbs supposed to be news?
We’ve known these were coming (and were much much more efficient & long-lasting than the current CFL bulbs) for a couple of years.
CFLs were just another stop on the way to energy efficiency.
…..and here’s the killer argument which even Bush ended up embracing before he vanished from the scene – energy efficiency reduces our dependence on insecure and expensive fossil fuels.
On those grounds alone I look forward to the EU banning CFLs when the time is right.
Why not?
February 1st, 2009
As publisher of BLORGE, I sometimes don’t degree with some of our writer’s viewpoints. Sometimes there are posts that make me uncomfortable because are diametrically opposite to my personal beliefs. But I don’t interfere because the ethos of this site is to provide a voice for many different opinions, and that’s something we plan to continue. It’s also the reason that we allow people to comment on all our stories. We don’t necessarily agree with the comments, but we respect the right for people to voice different opinions.
February 1st, 2009
I, for one, did not know about LED lights. I cannot use the CFLs as they do not emit enough light for me. Also, I have not found them in smaller sizes for my lamps, etc. If the LEDs are approved and in use in a couple of years and provide good lighting, then I am all for it. As for the man’s opinion, don’t read it if you don’t agree.
simple, huh…
February 1st, 2009
Close, Dave.. You came very, very close in your verbiage:
*Persons with visual impairments*.. :wink:
As for this being “old news”, not to these Fingertips.. This is only the second article I’ve ever encountered regarding the LED lights on the horizon.. Just depends on where one frequents.. :)
February 2nd, 2009
“This move is being done in order to force the adoption of CFL light bulbs”
Eh? You’re saying there is a conspiracy under way to increase sales by CFL bulb makers. That would be news.
Or is it really just to discourage purchase of a relatively inefficient form of lighting. As far as I’m aware there’s nothing in the legislation proscribing the purchase of CFLs, hence I can only presume the latter is true.
February 2nd, 2009
The news here is not that you can get LED lighting, that’s old news. The news here is that there is a new technique for making them that will give greater light outputs and energy efficiencies!
I subscribe to Australia’s last remaining technical electronics magazine and I learnt about these new LEDs here!
Kudos to Dave Parrack!
February 8th, 2009
To the best of my knowledge, currently available bulbs and/or the associated electronics will not last very long at high temps such as inside a conventional oven. If an exception to the incandescent bulb ban is not made for this use, then a creative means of supplying light can be implemented such as through at least one high temp tolerant glass fiber “light pipe.” The led lamp and associated electronics would be insulated, kept cool (heat sink) and/or vented to the outside.
April 2nd, 2009
3 things you should consider:
1. Fluorescent Bulb environment friendliness is canceled by it”s mercury content and they make your home feel like an office or hospital.
2. Incandescent Bulbs waste energy by releasing heat but in colder climates they help to heat you home so energy is not wasted and your gas bills will be reduced.
3. Led lights are brighter but only when looking at the bulb. LED lights will not fill your room with light. They are good for spot lighting only.
October 5th, 2011
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