LEDs lead the way in energy-efficient lighting

摘要

Since incandescent lighting was first invented by Thomas Edison and Nikolai Tesla in the 19th century, lighting technology has taken giant leaps forward. Valerie Poyurs, director of marketing at the Radiant Group (Radiant), suggests that miniature light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are set to become the standard source of illumination for the 21st century. An LED is essentially a diode that emits light. It is based on chip technology. The diagram illustrates the principles of LED construction. Current is applied to the cathode lead which then excites the atoms to a higher energy level. They release this energy through the bonding wire as the atoms shed electrons to the material used in the LED chip.