JOIN USIncandescent lighting has been in vogue since the 1800’s. But due to its energy inefficiency, first came fluorescent lights, and today there’s the eco-friendly FIPEL technology, writes K S Someswara.
Did you know that traditional lighting systems, which usually involves the use of incandescent bulbs, is estimated to emit only five per cent of light for 95 per cent of heat energy? Also, did you know that on an average about 23 per cent of
total energy consumption is from domestic and commercial lighting? Shockingly,
traditional lighting is also responsible for more than six per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
But as the world saw technological advancements, fluorescent tubes replaced the incandescent bulbs. Brighter and energy-efficient, this lighting is largely prevalent today. Further, usage of electronic chokes has improved its performance. The advent of Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) bulbs is a step forward, in terms of energy efficiency and has almost revolutionised the lighting concept itself. But despite their advantages, these fluorescent and CFL bulbs leave their damaging imprints on the environment. The mercury and phosphorous content in these lighting generates health hazards and also affects the ecosystem. Proper disposal procedures are of paramount importance in this type of lighting mechanism.
In order to overcome all such disadvantages and to provide a more environment-friendly lighting, the LED technology (light emitting diodes) is coming to the forefront today. The advancement of this technology is gaining good acceleration and the application of the same can be seen at many places from traffic lights to motor headlights, computer and TV screens and laptops. A majority of domestic and commercial lighting demands are fulfilled by this ingenious lighting system.
LED is a simple mechanism through which light is sourced with low energy. The diode used here allows electricity to pass through directly, which means electric current is converted into lighting very quickly and efficiently. It does not contain any toxic materials unlike its predecessors. Also, it does not emit any harmful UV or infrared rays. Moreover, the luminous efficiency of LED is very high (130 lumens/watt). By switching to LED technology, you can reduce the energy consumption by nearly 40 per cent.
According to many studies, this would avoid emissions of large quantity of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere.
Busting myths
There are certain myths about the cost of the LED unit and its performance in the long run. Though initial cost may be more, this is offset in about five years. The
energy efficiency and its contribution to the environment are all positive parts of the same. A 6W LED can give the performance of an ordinary 60W bulb in brightness.
The light emitted is very cool and noiseless. Almost all LED light output will be in a
desired direction rather than a dispersed form. It lights up instantly and also has
dimmer capacity with a much wider optimum temperature and also can withstand extreme cool conditions.
In the world of technology, we witness something new everyday. The same
applies to the world of lighting, too.
Recently, researchers have come out with a more revolutionary lighting technology, which is suitable for both, domestic as well as commercial utilities. In this new
technology, the bulbs are made by using Field Induced Polymer Electroluminescence (FIPEL) mechanism. These lights are flicker-free, shatterproof and easy on the eyes.
According to David Carroll of Wake Forest University, the general working of this technology involves running the electricity through a conductive polymer called polyvinyl carbazole to provide light. By doping the polymer with carbon nano tubes, the luminescence of the polymer is enhanced by five times greater than its normal capacity to provide good lighting. Here, three layers of polymer and nano tube material with dielectric layers are sandwiched together.
When electricity is applied, the electrons excite the electroluminescent polymer to emit light and carbon nano tubes doping seem to increase the amount of light emitted. This is a huge jump from the fluorescent lighting world, wherein consumers often complain of the harsh lighting and the constant humming generated.
Welcoming practicality
Moreover, these plastic bulbs are cheap to produce and do not contain mercury or any other toxic materials. The quality of light is very desirable, matching up to the
solar spectrum or the natural sunlight (not too blue or yellow). This new lighting
solution is estimated to be more popular than CFL and is almost equivalent to LED. It can be made in any colour or shape and can be fitted into existing fixtures including the Edison sockets.
David enunciates on the advantages of this system, “Beyond office and home lighting, FIPEL has the potentiality for use in large display lighting, store marquees and in buses and subways thanks to its long-lasting capabilities (at least a decade under normal conditions).