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ESL — the newest, greenest light bulb around
Just as the world is getting used the cool-glowing, coil-shaped Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs), Seattle-based Vu1 has come up with a whole new bulb technology that's even better… and greener. Instead of heating a filament like in an incandescent bulb, or sending a current through mercury vapor as in a fluorescent, Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESL) bulbs use accelerated electrons to stimulate the phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb, making the surface glow.
The result? Bulbs that give the same quality as incandescent lighting but use less energy. And unlike CFLs, no mercury is used (and later, thrown out). There's no pricing yet, but Vu1 says they’ll be similar to CFLs — pricier than incandescents but not LED-pricier — when they debut in mid-2009.
Right now, Vu1 plans to focus on reflector bulbs, the recessed flood- and spotlights you might see in a small retail store, but the ESL technology allows the bulbs to be more flexible in shape. So you can have a classic bulb shape instead of a weird corkscrew-shaped CFL in your reading lamp, and still pat yourself on the head for being green. They can even mimic the shape of big commercial fluorescent tubes, currently being used to sap your will to live at work.
Via Vu1
By geekman at 3:37 PM ON 08/14/08
ok, so they don't use mercury. But I am assuming the phosphor they are using on the inside of the bulb is similar to what is in older CRT TVs. Witch is toxic.
These sound like they are just a small simple CRT with no or minimal focusing of the electron beam.
cool idea but I would have to see more on what they are using for the phosphors in the bulbs.
By Midnitte at 9:38 PM ON 08/14/08
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphor#Materials
If you look at the materials, a lot of them are either nontoxic or can be recycled from past electronics.
By CJW at 11:17 AM ON 08/15/08
Dimmable? I hope....
By CFL Hater at 7:38 PM ON 08/15/08
I'm glad someone is already looking for CFL replacement. They may use less energy but who wants a house that is full of mercury vapor?
If you factor in the production costs including the mining of mercury, CFL's don't look all that great.
By kanghi416 at 11:29 AM ON 08/16/08
I can't stand the sound of standard fluorescent tubes, and cfl's scare the heebee-jeebees out of me (I have a child who has already broken one of them - dropped it - but tested negative for Mercury Contamination)...I hope and pray that these are not another repeat of the CRT problem. We need safe "green" lighting.
By boater88 at 12:39 PM ON 08/18/08
the major problem I have with CFLs are their shape and their (inexpensive) inability to be dimmed. These new bulbs will have better shapes - but what about their dimming ability?
By BakerW at 3:52 PM ON 08/18/08
The Vu1 guys have a lot of info on the website in their FAQ. www.vu1.com Apparently their phosphor is something akin to zinc oxide the stuff you use as sunscreen. They even address the CRT question. Hope it comes out soon - I have 45 can lights what I would love to replace.
By BakerW at 3:56 PM ON 08/18/08
The FAS says they dim just like an incandescent. I hate the crummy "dimming" that the pricey CFLs provide. It only dims a little and then when you turn if off you have to reset it to full power again and redim it the next time you turn it on.
By Tatsu.ZZmage at 5:42 AM ON 08/21/08
Now lets all hope and ""PRAY"" this doesn't vapor out because its too expensive. the CFL killer is HERE.
By Wakeenyan at 7:27 AM ON 08/21/08
CJW, Dimming is accomplished by power adjustment at the switch.
By thunderstrike44 at 10:30 AM ON 08/21/08
Talk about going back in technology, this is a simple CRT tube that was developed before WW2. This is just another patch, I think we should continue with solid state and advance the LED even further.
By lfbnumone at 11:54 AM ON 08/21/08
To me the issue isn't "dimmable", it's compatibility with light sensitive controllers. Devices which turn on lights for night time use, or in homes for the appearance of occupancy are not compatible with CFL's. I tried them before reading the fine print and lost two within 3 months.
By moviedemon at 12:08 PM ON 08/21/08
Thunderstrike- I'm baffled as to why the hell we're supposed to care that this is "old" technology.
If somebody can build something RIGHT NOW that does exactly what it's supposed to do, and does it cheaper, safer and cleaner than competing products - then they should go for it. The ancient Egyptians could've invented it for all I care.
It's not like they're going to suddenly stop all development on LED lighting.
By LectricActMan at 10:04 PM ON 08/22/08
My big hope is that someone comes up with a bulb that is instant on to full brightness like an incandescent. The slow to come up to brightness CFLs are fine for areas where they are turned on and left on, but for areas like closets, motion detector lights, appliance interiors, etc. is a necessity. Love the way congress bans things with no replacement in sight.
By Tony at 12:37 PM ON 09/04/08
It feels like I am the only one in the world who doesn't get the CFLs. I've tried 'em several times in the past, which includes various wattages and various color temps, and not a single one would even be good for reading a book sitting right next to the lamp the cfl is in.
Way to dim, even after 20 minutes or more (Each time thought I would let it warm up and see if it got any brighter)
I just don't get how everyone seems to gush over them.. Saving energy os great, but if it doesn't light my room, what good is it?
Heres hoping this tech is better than that.
-Tony-
By Baker at 5:00 PM ON 09/17/08
A little science 101.
Phosphorus is toxic. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorus
Phosphors that are used in lighting (and were used in CRTs) are not toxic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphor
By steelcityfan at 10:35 AM ON 10/31/08
Very good BAKER. Finally someone did some homework. The VU1 bulbs are totally recyclable and non-toxic.
By Brite at 10:42 PM ON 01/13/09
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
Brite:
LECTRICACTMAN, They are instant-on. Look at the chart. http...More »