Why A Blue LED Is Worth A Nobel Prize

Three scientists have jointly earned the Nobel Prize in physics for their work on blue LEDs, or light-emitting diodes. Why blue in particular? Well, blue was the last -- and most difficult -- advance required to create white LED light. And with white LED light, companies are able to create smartphone and computer screens, as well as light bulbs that last longer and use less electricity than any bulb invented before.




LEDs are basically semiconductors that have been built so they emit light when they're activated. Different chemicals give different LEDs their colors. Engineers made the first LEDs in the 1950s and 60s. Early iterations included laser-emitting devices that worked only when bathed in liquid nitrogen. At the time, scientists developed LEDs that emitted everything from infrared light to green light… but they couldn't quite get to blue. That required chemicals, including carefully-created crystals, that they weren't yet able to make in the lab.

Once they did figure it out, however, the results were remarkable. A modern white LED lightblub converts more than 50 percent of the electricity it uses into light. Compare that to the 4 percent conversion rate for incandescent bulbs, and you have one efficient bulb. Besides saving money and electricity for all users, white LEDs' efficiency makes them appealing for getting lighting to folks living in regions without electricity supply. A solar installation can charge an LED lamp to last a long time, allowing kids to do homework at night and small businesses to continue working after dark.

READ MORE AT: https://www.popsci.com/article/technology/why-blue-led-worth-nobel-prize

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Right before the Super Bowl is a good time to buy a fancy new TV

Image
People typically associate Black Friday with good deals on TVs, but it’s not your only chance to score a cheap display. The Super Bowl usually happens right after the annual Consumer Electronics Show, which is when manufacturers announce all their fancy new models. As a result, you can find some very solid deals on current TVs to make room for the new stuff. While you might be able to find cheaper TVs on the whole around Thanksgiving, the Super Bowl approach is when many of the higher-end TVs actually go on sale, rather than the ultra-bargain panels. A few tips before we dive into the deals: You’re going to want your new TV to support 4K (and HDR if you can swing it), but the game itself won’t be broadcast in 4K. The upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics, however, will have 4K content to consume. Buying a really big, really cheap TV won’t get you a perfect viewing experience. You’re likely better off buying a smaller, higher quality TV, than going purely on size. Onc...
Read more

47 ice cube trays for the chillest people you know

Image
As the temperature warms and the sun starts to beat down on my back, I'm thinking about ice cubes—and not the boring square ice molds, either. In this era of silicone molds—which, as Pop Sci's editor in chief has pointed out have a "low coefficient of friction and a pliable nature" that let you "create otherwise impossible-to-release shapes with ease"—there's no reason to stick to standard cube-y fare. THE KINDS OF MOLDS YOU WANT IN YOUR HOUSE To that end, check out these 47 variations on the classic cube that will give your cocktail some character.   Alphabet in ice Angry Birds Batman ice cube tray Dachshund ice cubes   Celebrate ice READ MORE AT: https://www.popsci.com/best-novelty-ice-molds-trays
Read more

Does apple cider vinegar actually do anything?

Image
If something claims to be a miracle cure—for cancer, for overeating, for run-of-the-mill acne—you should start by assuming it isn’t. Life is hard and long and there are no easy shortcuts, especially when it comes to your health. That includes the internet darling that is apple cider vinegar. Proponents of the fermented liquid seem to think it can cure just about any ailment, and sometimes advise taking shots of it to stave off illness. Cider vinegar is just one in a sea of trendy superfoods that plague the web, but it’s a great example of how easy it is to ascribe unfounded health benefits to generally innocuous ingredients. Apple cider vinegar won’t magically make your problems go away, no matter how much you believe in it. Most of the “evidence” in support of its benefits comes from shoddy journals and pseudo-doctors. In fact, there seems to be just one thing it could theoretically be good for. Well, actually, two. Apple cider vinegar is a great way to catch flies. Way better...
Read more