Cheaper, better LED technology on the way

Scientists including one of Indian origin have developed a new highly efficient and low cost light emitting diode that could help spur more widespread adoption of the LED technology.

"It can potentially revolutionise lighting technology. In general, the cost of LED lighting has been a big concern thus far. Energy savings have not balanced out high costs. The new discovery could change that," explained Zhibin Yu, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering at Florida State University.

Yu developed this technology with a team that included post-doctoral researcher Junqiang Li and graduate students Sri Ganesh Bade and Xin Shan.

Yu developed this new LED technology using a combination of organic and inorganic materials.

The material, which dissolves and can be applied like paint, shines a blue, green or red light and can be used to make a light bulb.

But what makes it really special is that it's far simpler to manufacture than existing products in the market.

Most LED materials require engineers to put four or five layers of material on top of each other to create the desired product or effect.

Yu's material only requires one layer.

"In the future to do manufacturing, it is a big challenge if you have to deal with multiple layers," he added.

The research is crucial to the development of LED technology which is fast becoming an avenue to reduce the country's electricity consumption.

LED lighting is already sold in stores, but widespread adoption has been slow because of the costs associated with the material and the quality.

The discovery was highlighted in the journal Advanced Materials.