What is LED Lighting?

LED lighting stands for light emitting diode. This is a source of light that comes from a semiconductor. You might recognize these types of lights as they are the kind that used to be small and red in color. However, nowadays, LED lighting has become much more popular.

It is more cost efficient, does not burn as hot, and lasts longer than incandescent lighting. It also provides better, brighter light for the size. However, they are also more expensive to produce and procure. For this reason, LED lights have gotten used more and more, but the change over to these lights is slow, mostly due to the higher cost.

The first discovery that eventually led to LED lights was the discover of electroluminescence. This was discovered in 1907 by a man named H.J. Round. The first report to come in on the creation of an LED light was from a Russian scientist by the name of Oleg Vladimirovich Losev in 1927.

The first actual, practical LED for use, however, was not developed until the year 1962. It was Nick Holonyak Jr. who was responsible for the design. He was working at General Electric Company during the time of his work on LED lighting. Production and research into the LED continued and is still continuing today.

Now, LED lighting is brighter and cheaper than ever. It has been used in street lamps, store signs, stage lights, house lighting, and even in vehicles. Battery powered LED lights are definitely gaining in popularity.

In January of 2009, it was shown that gallium nitride, a valuable component of these lights, could be grown on silicon instead of on sapphires, which were used before. This could decrease costs by up to 90%. This team was led by a man named Colin Humphreys.

As you can see, the world of LED lighting continues to evolve before our eyes!