Let There Be (Solid State) Light
“I hope the award of this prize will help people to understand that this invention makes it possible to improve quality of life for many millions of people. This is not just a source of light that makes enormous energy savings possible, it is also an innovation that can be used in the sterilisation of drinking water and for storing data in much more efficient ways.
“It is estimated that it is possible to alleviate the need for 133 nuclear power stations in the US by the year 2025 if white solid-state lighting is implemented.”
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7 responses to “Let There Be (Solid State) Light”
But have you ever tried them? I bought 11 at nearly 10 pounds each. Each one was packed with about 20 little LED’s. I guessed this was a good move not only do they have a huge life, but they ran at 2w. So replacing eleven 50 Watt bulbs with 2 Watt ones I thought I would be laughing all the way to the bank.
I diligently went round and replaced them, eager to see what it would be like. I stood back and threw the switch. The room went a dull shade of blue, “well, it’s only the hall” I said to myself. I was sure I could live with the dingy light. Within weeks, 7 had failed, and I was back to beautiful bright light but burning 50W bulbs.
Great story Graham!
Actually, I’ve seen very effective [albeit expensive] ones; it’s obviously a developing technology. Hopefully with time they’ll come down in price. All credit for your early adoption though!
Solid State Light… sounds like a New Romantic Band, or maybe an Emergent Church Ministry?
It’s both. And you are their leader.
Damn, no one told me? I wondered why my bank-ballance had multiplied by a factor of 300. (That’s what hapens when you start a ministry)
My son did his last science fair project on “lighting of the future.” Florescent lighting is today’s emerging “green” technology, using something like 1/10 the energy of incandescent lighting. LED’s are not yet cost effective, but within 10 years should replace florescent, using about 1/2 the energy for equivalent output. there’s an added benefit – no annoying “flicker” – just pure, soft, bluish light, though future LEDs will be tailored to any “hue” of white spectrum. another use is in film making. those huge lighting “cloud” boxes you see on sets are being replaced with small, cool-running panels of high-intensity LEDs, which can be easily adjusted for color temperature (Kelvins), intensity, and diffusiveness.
Tru. My projector is LED, just noticed!