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
Personally, I’m all for this money being spend on LED research, It’s research that is going to be vital to the future of lighting (which, in turn is vital for us!).
LED LAMPS APPLICATION In this link demonstrates the use of Led lamps in several areas, very useful for energy saving and lighting as well as in a shop store or at home.
Large producers receive huge money for research, but technology has already been discovered. They do not apply.
The truth is that global manufacturers are interested only in their monthly statements and profits are calculated.
They make very good money saving and strip lighting. Do not care about energy efficiency and nature.
I will give you an example – there are already good enough LED light bulbs that with a consumption of 5 watts emit 50, with a consumption of 10 – 100!
http://www.nasena.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=91
I agree with lighting, LED seems to be the way to go. It’s going to greatly benefit us in the future!!!!
- BestGreenOffer -
They make very good money saving and strip lighting. Do not care about energy efficiency and nature.
I will give you an example – there are already good enough LED light bulbs that with a consumption of 5 watts emit 50, with a consumption of 10 – 100!
There are lots of good replacement LEDs these days. That said, there is still room for improvement. I believe we’re still in the early phases.
Bit too much spent on research. Surely not that much is needed. It’s going to cost more than it will save.
Definitely Prices will be down in about 2 years
Another factor that they really need to investigate is longevity. It seems as though the higher power LED’s done last long. Perhaps figuring out a way to dissipate the heat generated by the resistors in the LED’s will make for a longer lasting bulb.
The prices will definitely decrease over the years to come
Politics corrupts everything it touches, from the justice system to science, and the American LED industry is not immune to this disease.The millions in tax dollars poured into LED research for the big 3 you mentioned has produced no visible acceleration in their achievements. Local producers may be years away from meeting reasonable goals for color, output, and price, but Asian manufacturing has already met these objectives. If you want output 7 times brighter than the best home grown emitter, it’s available today, for a fraction of what you’d expect to pay locally – and quality is superb.
However, lumen brightness isn’t the biggest problem I see with local products. The biggest roadblock is the clueless response you’ll encounter from many distributers when they are asked about support products like power supplies, drivers, and optics. I’ve actually built my own circuits using voltage regulator ICs to power LEDs efficiently. I’ll never do that again, because I’ve found an Asian source selling matched driver boards for LEDs producing light levels in the thousands of lumens. Tired of US distributer ignorance and minimum order requirements? Redirect your search towards Asia, and you’ll be amazed by what you discover.
Now, when I read this article, it’s been a year passed. Actually, after one year, the prices do have been dropped down, though not much. And generally, the lumens are about 20lm higher comparing to that of 1 year ago, that’s a big progress I think.
Bit too much spent on research.
May be the initial investment can be hight, but must think of the final results, and the time and money we can save at long term.
led products are good, lower consumer, and durable use, not bad