2015 looks set to see the first LED light bulb production from super material graphene. Following significant developments in 2004 at the University of Manchester, where scientists involved in its research won the Nobel Prize for physics in 2010, the bulb should be commercially available soon. In simple terms, graphene is a thin layer of pure carbon; a tightly packed layer of carbon atoms that are bonded together in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice giving it unique levels of light absorption.
Looking very similar to a conventional light bulb, the new product has a thin layer of graphene covering the filament. This coating gives the bulb a better ability to conduct electricity resulting in a 10% increase in energy saving. Once on commercial sale it is expected to be priced lower than some LED bulbs, which can cost about £15 each.
Probable future uses of graphene are expected to be in electronics, mobile phones to the eventual use in such things as motor and aviation frames It is already being embraced by companies in a whole host of areas of production including tennis rackets and skis! Its current development in the use of LED bulb production is most welcome as we continually look to find ways to be greener.
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