Making Strides Toward Low-Cost LED Lighting 398
Roland Piquepaille writes "You all know that incandescent bulbs are pretty inefficient, converting only 10% of electricity into light — and 90% into heat. Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, could soon replace incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs in our homes. They are more efficient and environmentally friendly. But LED lights are currently too expensive because they are using a sapphire-based technology. Now, Purdue University researchers have found a way to build low-cost and bright LEDs for home lighting. According to the researchers, the LED lights now on the market cost about $100 while LED lights based on their new technology could be commercially available within a couple of years for a cost of about $5. It would also help to cut our electricity bill by about 10%."
Re:carbon-free daytime lighting (Score:4, Funny)
With the cost of solar cells and LEDs plummeting, a solar cell roof installation with closed-circuit LEDs might soon become cheaper than a ceiling window.
What do you know! Soon enough it'll all get so efficient that with closed-circuit LEDs shining on solar cells you'll be able to make your own infinite source of energy!!
Oh shit that's a hell of good idea! The first one to the patent office wins!!
Don't market these in Boston (Score:4, Funny)
They really have a phobia about LEDs there- especially if there are wires attached like an AC cord.
Re:carbon-free daytime lighting (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Yea, (Score:2, Funny)
One night, I had to replace a light bulb in the bathroom over the sink. It was a pretty far reach but I was able to remove the old incandescent fine. I had one more CFL in an open pack of bulbs. As I was trying to screw it in, I dropped it in the sink and it shattered.
Crap. Well, that's OK...I don't really use that CFL in the ceiling much, and since I use the light over the sink more I'll just pull the CFL from the ceiling and put a spare incandescent there. Unscrew, unscrew....*CRASH*
So to answer your question...twice in one night :P
Re:Yea, (Score:3, Funny)
Extra current will do it too... Ever tried to hook an LED up to a power source without adding a current limiting resistor?
Good times.