‘Magic’ lights to slash household electricity use
A new way of making LEDs could see household lighting bills reduced by up to 75% in five years time, thanks to research at Cambridge University.
The new LEDs use Gallium Nitride (GaN), a man-made semiconductor that emits a brilliant bright light but uses very little electricity. Until now high production costs have made GaN lighting too expensive for widespread use in homes and offices.
The Cambridge University Centre for Gallium Nitride, with funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), has developed a new way of making GaN which could produce LEDs for a tenth of current prices.
The new technique grows GaN on silicon wafers, which achieves a 50% improvement in cost and efficiency on previous approaches to grow GaN in labs on expensive sapphire wafers, used since the 1990s.
Based on current results, GaN LED lights in every home and office could cut the proportion of UK electricity used for lights from 20% to 5%. A reduction equivalent to the output of eight power stations.
A GaN LED can burn for 100,000 hours and therefore, on average, only needs replacing after 60 years. And, unlike currently available energy-saving bulbs, GaN LEDs do not contain mercury eliminating the environmental problems posed by their disposal. GaN LEDs also have the advantage of turning on instantly and being dimmable.
Professor Colin Humphreys, lead scientist on the project said: "This could well be the holy grail in terms of providing our lighting needs for 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. That won't just be good news for the environment, it will also benefit consumers by cutting their electricity bills."
GaN LEDs, used to illuminate landmarks like Buckingham Palace and the Severn Bridge, are also appearing in camera flashes, mobile phones, torches, bicycle lights and interior bus, train and plane lighting.
Parallel research is also being carried out into how GaN lights could mimic sunlight to help 3m people in the UK with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Ultraviolet rays made from GaN lighting could also aid water purification and disease control in developing countries, identify the spread of cancer tumours and help fight hospital 'super bugs'.
sounds great, i love how they manage to slash old records each time! 75% reduction on lighting bills! next time this will be a 98% reduction on current energy prices, before everyones bought these LEDs!
Posted by: JB | January 29, 2009 at 07:35 PM
nice techlogy and also cheap. every one should start adopting this technology fast to make our earth more green.
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Light bulb is found throughout the world and has become one of the most common of household item. This is known as an integral part of a house. Light bulb has evolved with the advent of energy-conscious initiatives to reduce the impact of consumer products.
Posted by: Wholesale Lighting Bulbs | August 05, 2010 at 01:13 AM
LED lights are available in a huge variety of white color temperatures (and indeed, colors) but since it has always been easier to manufacture blue LEDs, many cheap LEDs have a naturally cold/bluish tinge.
Posted by: car led light | August 07, 2010 at 12:01 PM
So cool! Now LED Light Bulb is a best bulbs.
Posted by: LED Light Bulb | October 12, 2010 at 10:45 PM
The reason I like LED lights is that they seem to work forever and are very visible in daytime conditions unlike alot of the older style lights. I have read more about LED Lights at http://www.ledlights.org/FOR/ what do you feel about this page
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Posted by: Cheap Jordan shoes | December 25, 2010 at 01:08 AM
LED lights can be a very useful tool in your home, especially if you are environmentally conscious or want to save money in the long run. These savings can really add up. If you were to run a single reading lamp with an LED bulb 12 hours a day for a year, it would cost less than 50 cents, and you wouldn't have to replace the bulb!
Posted by: led holiday lighting | May 14, 2011 at 07:46 AM
Is it not time for government to get more involved. Street lights etc as well as supporting the consumer with the purchase as the energy savings with LED's are huge.
Posted by: Jeff Ransome | July 08, 2011 at 11:55 AM
LED's are cheap to run but do we get the same light output?
Posted by: Albert Fish | July 25, 2011 at 03:14 PM
LED lighting is definately becoming more affordable, the more people buy them the cheaper they will be.
Posted by: Jeff Ransome | July 26, 2011 at 10:40 AM
This is another great technology well it really cut their usage of power at the same time their electricity bills because the new technology and idea is an more energy efficient than the traditional light bulb and also has a longer life.. sound helpful and convenient right?? thanks for sharing...
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Posted by: Account Deleted | August 13, 2011 at 06:32 PM
To answer Albert, yes LED lights have consistently shown that they produce the same or more light output levels.
And people better get used to LED's because they are going to become much more popular and accessible.
Posted by: LED Lighting | September 16, 2011 at 11:45 AM
The future of household lighting will soon be the wide spread adoption and use of white energy efficient LED light bulbs. Though the present market for finished white LED products is geared mainly towards enthusiasts and early-adopters, the efficiency and cost effectiveness of LED lighting systems will drive demand for more affordable LED lights.
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