Jan 28
Blue LED + Yellow + Orange = ?
So where does $60 million in LED research going? It seems a large chunk of grants from the department of Energy is going towards improving the 3 things that we’ve been talking about for a while: Price, light output and color.
- Price - Bringing down manufacturing costs and ultimate end costs to the consumer by improving the materials used and finding cheaper alternatives to creating LEDs.
- Light Output - Focusing on creating LED dies that are brighter, lenses that don’t cut light output and cover the LED “dots” that people see in bulbs and fixture, as well as creating fixtures that can be used by consumers that are bright enough to replace a 100W incandescent bulb.
- Improving the color output - Researching new phosphor materials (which are currently being used in fluorescent lighting as well) that make LED light “warmer”
Looks like CREE, Philips and GE are receiving the bulk of grant money. It will be interesting to see what they can come up with as well as what the future brings for LED lighting… My question is how long until all this great research is APPLICABLE to us? 2,3,4 years? Let’s hope not…
Source: Popular Mechanics
