Graphite Foam

Chalk up another reason to make the switch to high efficiency LED lighting: Scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a graphite foam that extends the life of LED lights. The foam is used as a passive cooling element, which plays a critical role in the lifespan of LED components. The breakthrough could help lower the cost of LED’s and make them more attractive in the mass market.

A wholesale switch to high efficiency LED technology could be part of the solution to the conundrum posed by the coming wave of new electric vehicles, which is how to manage overall energy consumption (and carbon emissions) when millions of new electric car owners start charging up their vehicles.

LEDs and Temperature

LED stands for light emitting diode, which is a technology for producing light through a chemical reaction (in contrast, incandescent lights work by burning a filament). Though they use less electricity than conventional lights, one drawback is their sensitivity to temperature. According to Oak Ridge, each 10-degree decrease in the temperature of an LED can double its lifespan. For this reason, LEDs are designed with “heat sink” components usually made of copper or aluminum.

Advantages of Graphite Foam for Cooling LEDs
Graphite foam is a lightweight material with a distinctive graphite crystal structure (graphite is a form of carbon, by the way – same chemical elements but different structure). The structure “wicks” heat away from the source and conducts it away without the need for mechanical cooling. Compared to copper and aluminum components, graphite foam is lighter and easier to work with, admitting the possibility of designing cheaper but more effective cooling elements for LEDs.

Source: GO Media – Written by Tina Casey – Image (altered): Foam by James Cridland on flickr.com.

Most powerful LED

In a truly staggering breakthrough in LED intensity that will have wide ramifications on electricity use worldwide, the Finnish LED producer Obelux has developed by far the most powerful LED of all time.

In response to aviation industry requests, Obelux created a flashing High Intensity LED that delivers 200,000 candelas. Current technology delivers just 10 candelas. This marks an incredible 20,000-fold improvement on the old Xenon technology.

These will be installed on over 150 meter tall buildings and masts, replacing the flashing red aviation obstacle lights that are currently in place on masts and tall buildings to warn airplanes. Boosting brightness even further, they will be in groups of three, so that each can deliver 600,000 candelas.

Energy consumption? Just 350 watts!

Source: Simple Green

Streetlight

With regret we have suspended all business until further notice.

Welcome to Biolight, we specialise in photovoltaic solutions with a focus on CFL-DC, LED and cooling technologies.

Our unique CFL-DC technologies allows for standard 220V CFL globes to be powered via DC without the need for converters which results in up to 15% higher efficiency compared to inverter based solutions.

We will launch our new LED lighting technology within the next few weeks that will feature street and spotlights as well as retrofitting existing street lights that will result in up to 90% reduction in electricity costs.

Fridge-freezer

For off-grid cooling, our 12V or 24V DC motors with very efficient compressors are ideal for applications where only sunlight or batteries are available.

Visit our products section to learn more about our unique range of sustainable lighting and cooling solutions.