We all know about the remarkable advancements of LED lighting. Now, the Canadian-based Graphene Lighting company is bound to set a new standard for LED lighting by manufacturing it out of graphene. Graphene is a revolutionary material that is poised for use in a myriad of technologies, including smartphones, computers, and LED lighting.
What is Graphene?
Graphene was discovered in a lab by Andre Geim in 2004. After studying its properties, it was discovered to be the thinnest material known to man, one hundred and fifty times stronger than steel, as pliable as rubber, able to stretch to a hundred and twenty percent of its length, able to carry a thousand times more electricity than copper, and has 250 times more mobility than silicon (Colapinto, The New Yorker). This “wonder material,” is finally being applied to consumer products, and graphene-coated LEDs will be the first to hit the market later this year. Colin Bailey, a University of Manchester professor who worked on the product, said, “The manufacturing costs are lower and it uses more and more sustainable components. This means the bulb is expected to actually cost less than the LED models currently on the market. It will also be dimmable, a feature that LED models have struggled with” (Fast Company). The LEDs are predicted to be 10% more effective than existing LEDs on the market.
The Grapene Stakeholders Association notes: “LED lights will operate brighter, dissipate any extra heat that conventional LEDs tend to emit as the lights get brighter, help consumers save on energy costs, as well as contribute to a greener environment. In addition, metal electrodes which are conventionally used can be replaced with graphene, lighting, electronics, and other components will be easier to recycle than what is currently used today.”
A Bright Future
It goes without saying that this could be a groundbreaking advancement for LED technology. Currently, there is still a fine line between cost and payback with LED applications, and many business owners are still waiting for LEDs to drop in price before moving forward with lighting upgrades. If graphene technology really can reduce the price of LEDs once they hit the market, we could see prices drop in a two-fold effect with economies of scale for both LED and graphene technology. Not to mention, we’ll be looking at a higher quality product.
To read more about graphene’s history, wide range of applications, and companies that have already sought graphene-based patents, please refer to The New Yorker link below.
Article Sources:
The New Yorker
Fast Company
Graphene Stakeholders Association