Well now. Just as the so-called first world is getting ready to phase out incandescent light bulbs, boffins in the US have apparently found a way to make the humble globe more efficient. In short, they simply add a small step to the existing manufacturing process: zapping the filament with a infinitesimally short pulse of extremely high-energy laser light.
source: stock.xchng (http://www.sxc.hu/)
The result is an otherwise conventional light bulb that consumes 40% less energy producing the same amount of light. Read the full story on El Reg here. What isn’t clear is how this process affects the longevity of the common or garden variety light bulb.
Of course, if this does turn out to be the elixir the boffins expect, it will spell the end of Philips’ monopoly on energy-efficient lighting technology. What a shame that would be.
Barry said
I can’t see how it will spell the end of the energy-efficient industry. This thing is only 40% more efficient. That means that a normal 100 Watt globe now _only_ consumes 60 Watt of electricity. A 13 Watt CFL produces the same amount of light as a 100 Watt incadescent. Still worlds apart.
brian said
I didn’t say that it would see the end of the energy efficient industry; just that it would loosen Philips’ grip on that industry while also providing an alternative that doesn’t contain mercury. Also, don’t be fooled by the wattage numbers. Current CFL bulbs are only 50% more efficient than incandescent ones. Check out this story for clarification.
b