06.01.10

Light bulbs will soon be replaced by panels of energy-efficient OLED lighting technology built into walls, reports Envido.

Organic LEDs (OLEDs), widely hailed as the next generation of environmentally friendly lighting technology, are a step closer thanks to research done into its development. They will allow wallpaper to glow with light and bendable flat-panel screens.

OLED lighting technology uses about half the power of fluorescents for a given light output, or about 1/9th the power of a traditional light bulb. The chemicals they are made from can be painted on to thin, flexible surfaces, allowing them potentially to be used to replace traditional light bulbs in homes and offices with panels of energy-efficient light built into walls, windows or even furniture.

Additionally, OLED lighting technology promises fixture-free lighting in offices and homes; the ceiling itself becomes the light source. This would also increase energy-efficiency by moving from a point source (light bulb) to a radiant source. Radiant lighting reduces or eliminates the need for redundant lighting to prevent shadowed sections in the room, since light comes from every direction.

A highly efficient form of OLED lighting technology could significantly reduce the electricity demand and boost savings. Another factor influencing broad adoption of LEDs is the fact that they outlast incandescent bulbs.

Lomox receives funding to accelerate the development of OLED lighting technology

Lomox Limited has been awarded more than £450,000 today by the government to accelerate the development of its OLED lighting technology.

Lomox claims OLED lighting technology is 2.5 times more efficient than standard energy-saving light bulbs. If all modern lights were replaced by OLED lighting technology, annual carbon emissions around the world could fall by 2.5m tonnes by 2020 and almost 7.4mT by 2050.

Traditionally, the problem with OLED lighting technology has been that they are expensive and they tend to have relatively short lifetimes. However, Lomox believes it has found a way to make them last longer than fluorescent bulbs, which are already a substantial improvement over standard light bulbs.

The OLED lighting technology will be for first time in the market in 2012. Once released, the OLEDs promise long-term energy savings and high performance in a highly versatile package.

OLED technology could be the go-to lighting solution for the next generation. It will produce 150 lumens per watt, similar to high-end traditional LEDs.

Russell Lerman, co-Managing Director at Envido, said "Lighting is a major producer of carbon emissions. OLED lighting technology has the potential to produce high-efficient lighting for a wide range of applications, reduce carbon emissions and tapping into a huge global market.”