US researchers have developed a highly efficient and low cost light emitting diode that could help spur more widespread adoption of the technology.
Assistant Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Florida State University Zhibin Yu developed the technology using a combination of organic and inorganic materials. The material, which can dissolve and be applied like paint, shines a blue, green or red light and can be used to make a light bulb.
It is also easy to manufacture. Most LED materials require engineers to put four or five layers of material on top of each other to create the desired product or effect but the new material only requires one layer.
“It’s a big challenge if you have to deal with multiple layers,” said Yu.
“It can potentially revolutionize lighting technology. In general, the cost of LED lighting has been a big concern thus far. Energy savings have not balanced out high costs. This could change that.”
Residential LED lighting uses at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting but widespread adoption has been slow because of the costs associated with the material and the quality.
Yu’s research has resulted in an award by the National Science Foundation to further investigate the essential materials and establish the processing platform for the development of intrinsically stretchable, active-matrix organic LED displays.