Artificial lighting is an essential part of modern life, providing security, comfort, and enabling various activities when night falls. However, as the world moves towards more sustainable models, energy efficiency and the environmental impact of lighting have become key issues, thanks to the advancement of more sustainable LED lights..
In this context, a team of researchers from Linköping University in Sweden has developed a new generation of perovskite-based LED technology, an innovative material that promises to transform the lighting market.
The revolution of perovskite LEDs
Conventional LED bulbs operate with light-emitting diodes that generate light when electric current passes through. They are more efficient and sustainable than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, but their production still depends on expensive and polluting materials.
Perovskite LEDs are cheaper to manufacture, require fewer resources, and can offer more vibrant colors, making them ideal for both home lighting and electronic displays.
“The development of these LEDs marks the beginning of a new era in lighting technology,” explained Feng Gao, a professor of optoelectronics at Linköping University.
Perovskite LED. Photo: Social media.
Sustainability and energy saving
To assess the environmental impact of this technology, researchers analyzed 18 types of perovskite LEDs through life cycle studies and techno-economic evaluation. This allowed them to measure the cost and ecological footprint of the materials used, from production to product dismantling.
One of the main challenges is the use of lead, a toxic material necessary for perovskite efficiency. However, scientists warn that this is not the only issue. “The production of gold, used in LED manufacturing, is highly polluting, with byproducts such as mercury and cyanide,” explained Olof Hjelm, a researcher on the team.
To reduce the environmental impact, experts suggest replacing gold with copper, aluminum, or nickel, more accessible and less polluting materials.
The challenge of durability
Despite their advantages, perovskite LEDs still have a limited lifespan. Currently, they can operate for hundreds of hours, but to be competitive and truly sustainable, they must exceed 10,000 hours of durability.
The research team is confident that advances in materials and production techniques will optimize this technology in the coming years, opening the door to a future where lighting is more efficient, accessible, and ecological.
Perovskite LED lights. Photo: Social media.
What are the advantages of LED light?
Currently, many companies are dedicated to manufacturing LED luminaires to create all kinds of environments. It can be used in lighting streets, squares, gardens, offices, factories, homes, or vehicles.
By installing LED bulbs at home, a significant saving on the electricity bill is achieved, as they consume much less energy than traditional lighting systems. Even less than so-called low-energy bulbs, which use the same principle as fluorescent tubes.
The use of LED technology in lighting has had a beneficial effect on the environment. It is called ecological lighting because it does not use mercury or greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. This makes choosing them over traditional halogen bulbs the smartest decision due to their energy efficiency and light effectiveness.
Benefits of LED light
- Significant energy savings: The luminaire’s efficiency is based on its long lifespan compared to traditional ones, as well as its low energy consumption.
- Low heat emission: Designed with a heat sink to help prevent overload.
- Produces sharp and bright light with immediate lighting to avoid flickering.
- Longer lifespan than traditional bulbs: LED lifespan can range between 20,000 and 50,000 hours, equivalent to about 6 years, while halogen bulbs only last around 2,000 hours.
- Easy installation.
- Significant reduction in the electricity bill: Savings can be up to 80%.
- Possibility of light intensity control with remote control: Some luminaires have an integrated dimmer to change the intensity and tone of light depending on the desired warmth, and they can even have a manual remote controller.
- Resistant to shocks and vibrations without breaking: Greater resistance thanks to their IP protection against dust or water, and as they do not have a filament like incandescent or halogen bulbs, they are more resistant to shocks.
- Environmentally friendly: They do not contain mercury, thus not harming the environment.
- Produces low light pollution outdoors.
Source: Ecoticias.
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