Slashdot Mirror
The End Of The Light Bulb?
sdmonroe wrote to mention an MSNBC article discussing the likely eventual replacement of common light bulbs by LEDs. That replacement is likely to come quicker thanks to an accidental discovery announced this week. From the article: "Michael Bowers, a graduate student at Vanderbilt University, was just trying to make really small quantum dots, which are crystals generally only a few nanometers big. ... When you shine a light on quantum dots or apply electricity to them, they react by producing their own light, normally a bright, vibrant color. But when Bowers shined a laser on his batch of dots, something unexpected happened. 'I was surprised when a white glow covered the table,' Bowers said. 'The quantum dots were supposed to emit blue light, but instead they were giving off a beautiful white glow.'"
Something new for moths to fly in to?
-Myke
How many cats does it take to change a quantum dot?
But now we'll have to change our "how many x does it take the change a lightbulb" jokes!
/. readers does it take the change a lightbulb? They don't have to because it's LED!"
"How many
Considering that the average lightbulb creates more heat than light...
Kind of like most slashdotters!
"I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey
If I close my bedroom door, my quantum bulb will neither be working nor burnt out.
A LED Zeppelin, of course.
Answer: $$$
Someone hates these cans.
"One big question remains: When a brilliant idea pops into your mind in the future, what will appear over your head?"
Smoke. That's one thing that I don't see changing any time soon. Not for me, anyway.
Oh come now, that was highly uncalled for. Puns are for children, not groan adults.
(Note to mods: that's not a spelling error).
-Forrest Cameranesi, Geek of all Trades
"I am Sam. Sam I am. I do not like trolls, flames, or spam."
The quantum dots were supposed to emit blue light, but instead they were giving off a beautiful white glow.
I bet Marie and Pierre Curie thought something similar at one point. "Hey look, this lump of weird metal that we produced is glowing so pretty... hey, if I put it in my mouth, my eyes glow too! Fun!"
I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
FTFA "One big question remains: When a brilliant idea pops into your mind in the future, what will appear over your head?"
A lawyer?
Hmmm, if you shine a strong enough laser on *anything*, it can give off a beautiful white glow...
Oh well, what the hell...
Oh, there is feedback, it's just not mentioned. These things are just like an perpetual motion machine, but for light. If a room if painted with these quantum dots, then the room is dark until it's started with a camera flash, and that's it, light forever!!