Integrated Reflector Could Lead to Ubiquitous LEDs

Andreas writes "Professor Schubert says he has found a way to raise the efficiency of LEDs to 99%. From an article on Advanced Technology: "Until now, all lighting systems, especially incandescent bulbs, generated more heat than light. But our 99-percent efficient reflectors for LEDs makes them the first candidate for light-bulb replacement that generates more light than heat," said Schubert."

Comments

Not so fast, Sparky!

[rco3]

"Professor Schubert says he has found a way to raise the efficiency of LEDs to 99%.
No, that's not what he says. The reflector is 99% efficient, not the LED. This reflector just means that some of the light emitted by the LED, which otherwise might be absorbed by the LED substrate or other structure and converted to waste heat, is now being reflected back out as usable light.
This new technology does nothing to improve the quantum efficiency of the LED itself. It's an important and useful technology, sure, but it is NOT a 99% efficient LED.

Costs have to be considered in toto

[Engineer-Poet]

Quoth the poster:

There is no point making a bright LED if the total system cost is still ten to twenty times that of an incandescent source.

As a counterexample, consider the compact-fluorescent bulb. Most cost around ten times as much as an incandescent of equivalent brightness, but the savings in replacement costs and power will pay back the difference in as little as a few months.

LED technology has the advantage of longer life than fluorescent. With the increase in efficiency from reflectors, they could cut power costs below fluorescent and become the TCO winners.

I want a LED lighted DLP projector

[doc modulo]

At the moment, projectors are lighted by expensive, proprietary light bulbs.

Because of the hot bulbs, the projectors are too noisy to enjoy a nice movie night at home and they burn out after a while.

An array of LEDs would be superiour because they'd be more durable (no need for expensive replacements after X hours) and might be cool enough for fanless beamers.

Unfortunately the manufacturers use the projectors like razorblade holders or like inkjet printers. You can only fit the replacement bulb that the manufacturer made themselves and the replacement bulbs are very expensive because of that monopoly.

However, all it takes is ONE monufacturer to produce a good LED beamer to disrupt the current situation. All the others will have to follow if they want customers after LED lightsources take over, the sooner the better.

I made up my mind to ONLY buy a LED beamer because I know it's possible and I know I'll be screwed over by the current beamers if I don't. The less bulb-beamers we as consumers buy, the faster the changeover will happen.