Seeing the light

The Carbon Trust has awarded the University of Surrey £465,000 to develop Ultra Low Energy High Brightness (ULEHB) light sources that could, it is claimed, lead to more cost-efficient energy.

The university's Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) will work on the production of prototype solid state lighting devices using carbon nano-composite materials invented there. This will, it is said, significantly reduce energy running costs.

Prof Ravi Silva, ATI director and project leader, said: 'We are not talking about developing new organic light emitting materials — we are using existing materials, but focusing on getting electron injection and hole injection coming together to provide light.

'The second aspect is that nanotubes have a thermoconductivity that is five times greater than copper, so immediately you have better thermo management. Carbon nanotubes can also conduct 1,000 times more current than copper,' he said.

This is claimed to result in light sources running at a lower voltage as charge conduction is much better and more efficient. Similarly, the quality of light will be as good as the best 100W bulb but will use a fraction of the energy.