New development could lead to more effective lightbulbs

[nitpicker]

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35284112

New development could lead to more effective lightbulbs

By Matt McGrath
Environment correspondent


2 hours ago

From the section Science & Environment

US researchers say they have developed a technique that can significantly improve the efficiency of the traditional incandescent lightbulb. (snip)

scientists at MIT have found a way of recycling the waste energy and focussing it back on the filament where it is re-emitted as visible light.
(snip)

lightbulbs of this type are hugely inefficient - they only convert around 2-3% of the energy they use into light - the rest is wasted as heat. (snip) They've been replaced by more expensive compact fluorescent (CFL) and LED bulbs which are significantly more efficient at around 13%.

Now researchers at MIT believe they have developed a technique that could turn the weakness of the traditional incandescent bulb into a strength.

Using nanotechnology, they've built a structure that surrounds the filament of the bulb and captures the leaking infrared radiation, reflecting it back to the filament where it is re-absorbed and then re-emitted as visible light.
(snip)

In theory, the crystal structures could boost the efficiency of incandescent bulbs to 40%, making them three times more efficient than the best LED or CFL bulbs on the market.
(snip)

[FailureToCommunicate]

1. Worthwhile research. Basically the 'greenhouse effect' for incandescent bulbs. BUT it's still all

about the lumens per wattage use, not efficiency percentages. An LED using 8 watts still uses far less electricity than a 60 watt incandescent bulb for the same amount of light.

[Thor_MN]

4. The article implies that the new technolgy would create incandescent bulbs that use less than LEDs

If the numbers hold up, the "60 watt" incandescent bulb will be a thing of the past. There would be 3 watt incandescent bulbs to compare with 8 watt LEDs.

[Warpy]

8. I initially switched to CFLs because they don't burn out as often

and I really, really hate having them burn out suddenly when I've got a double armload of something breakable or sloppy. I have CFLs here that have been going strong for nearly 20 years and I expect the LED bulbs I'm replacing them with as they burn out to last even longer.

Energy use is only part of the story. There's also the increased energy use involved in having to replace an incandescent bulb in a high use light every year or so. The cost of the new bulbs is also going to be significantly higher than the 20 pack from Costco used to be.

[safeinOhio]

2. Cost to the consumer

will be the big deal.

[djean111]

3. I have never bought a CFL, and will never buy one.

If one breaks, mercury leaks out. And I sincerely doubt that everyone disposes of them properly.
LEDs are getting cheaper - some great sales.
I tend to not have lights on when I am not in a room, anyway.

[Lochloosa]

5. I got 3 - 60W equivalent LED's at Lowes the other day for 7 bucks.

Great light and no heat.

[drm604]

6. I wonder how long these bulbs would last?

It sounds like this would put more stress on the filament. I like the idea but people won't buy them if they wear out too soon.

[Wounded Bear]

7. A lot of issues to be engineered...

I do love that they are still working on solutions and improvements, though.