http://www.electronicproducts.com/Optoelectronics/LEDs/World_s_most_energy_efficient_light_bulb.aspxWorld’s most energy efficient light bulbNanoLight surpasses standard fluorescents and LEDs
BY MELISSA SUE SORRELLS GALLEY
It may look a little funny, but NanoLight is used to the stares. The futuristic-looking light bulb has an unconventional look big enough to match its unique energy-efficiency.
A 12-watt NanoLight in white.
The bulbs look a bit like a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle, all sharp corners and seams, because that’s essentially what they are: several small circuit boards with LEDs connected that are cut to fit together. The loose, interconnected design allows the bulb to dissipate more heat than a standard bulb while also directing light in all directions.
“Most bulbs are hidden away in enclosures and never seen,” say NanoLight’s creators, Gimmy Chu, Tom Rodinger, and Christian Yan. “The look should not be important. In certain installations though, we think the NanoLight is quite fitting, offering a unique futuristic look. We can’t wait to see what people do with them.”
Currently, NanoLight comes in 10W and 12W bulbs. While the 10W uses 50% less energy than a compact fluorescent bulb with the same light output, the 12W is NanoLight’s breakthrough product. The bulb generates more than 1600 lumens, equivalent to a 100W incandescent light bulb. That works out to a little more than 133 lumens per watt — about 200% more efficient than other light bulbs on the market.
Despite its incredible efficiency, both versions of NanoLight stay cool to the touch even after hours of use. And, unlike compact fluorescent lights, the NanoLight achieves full brightness the instant it is turned on, eliminating the slow, flickering effect.
The project almost immediately surpassed its $20,000 goal on Kickstarter with more than 2,000 backers pledging over $100,000. Until March 8, you can add your pledge to the campaign. A 10W bulb is available for a $30 pledge, while the 12W version requires a $45 pledge.
Despite their success, Chu, Rodinger, and Yan continue to improve on NanoLight. They’re working with a graphic designer on the possibility of printing artwork onto the bulb and are also developing a dimmable prototype of NanoLight.
