Today, LED technology is used for general lighting in small and large venues, in the automotive market, and in video displays, roadside signs, and digital signage.

According to Kevin Dowling, Vice President of Innovation for Philips Color Kinetics, the hospitality and retail markets are primary drivers for white light sources, and the broadcast market favors the technology for quality and long-lasting light sources. “Cove and under shelf lighting is driving LED usage because it’s a natural fit for that application,” he adds.

LEDs have come a long way in a short time. Dowling notes that the development of blue LEDs, and the subsequent creation of broadband white light by adding a phosphor coating, occurred in less than 20 years. “The first white LEDs were gray and dismal and there were technology hurdles in how they were driven and controlled,” he says. “In 2000-2004, there was development in improving phosphors and the efficacy of blue LEDs, as well as packages for high power light output. Since 2004, LEDs continue to improve at pace that the industry is astonished by. Efficacy, light output and quality are improving faster than we projected.”

Touted for its energy efficiency and increasing efficacy, “LED technology presents a huge opportunity because energy is becoming a rare commodity,” says Chris Link, Business Development Manager for Energy Technologies at semiconductor supplier Texas Instruments (TI). Link’s group studies and develops energy technology and the ways in which we can use energy more smartly. “LEDs are low watt and high lumens, but have specific requirements as to how current and voltage are delivered. TI specialises in the electronics for fixtures that improve the performance of LEDs.”

Next>>>

Chapter 1: What’s new, what’s next?
Chapter 2: Applications and uses
Chapter 3: Legislation and standards
Chapter 4: Looking ahead