Researchers using nano-imprint lithography to make LEDs brighter

Considering that there are quite a few nations out there aiming to ditch incandescent bulbs in the not-too-distant future, it follows logic that we should start making LEDs more suitable for in-home use. Of course, we've already seen a couple of advancements in the area, but scientists at Glasgow University -- along with the Institute of Photonics at the University of Strathclyde -- have reportedly found a way to make traditional LEDs a fair bit brighter. The process, dubbed nano-imprint lithography, involves "making microscopic holes in the surface of LEDs to increase the level of light they give off." Unfortunately, said process is still quite time consuming and expensive, but you can rest assured they're working to make the process quicker, simpler and cheaper for the good of mankind.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

[Kurian @ Dec 31st 2007 8:02AM]

*Imagines torture chair from MGS*

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 31st 2007 8:24AM]

I was thinking... why not just use sandpaper to create a series of small grooves instead of holes.

[eek @ Dec 31st 2007 10:39AM]

Because nano-imprint lithography sounds cooler

[Ghen @ Dec 31st 2007 8:33AM]

I'm not really understanding the point here.. LEDs are tiny and already extremely bright.

Just use 2 of 'em.

[Raja @ Dec 31st 2007 9:55AM]

Reduced power consumption for twice the brightness with one LED? I think that's a great reason to make such a thing.

[master_sword @ Dec 31st 2007 9:02AM]

oh wow...off topic, but ive been playing WAY to much super mario galaxy, thought this was a screen shot of the game at first...the green is a planet, the sliver is the trail from the spring star or whatever, background other planets...i need to get outside

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 31st 2007 3:55PM]

I saw a light with a circuit board in the background...

Maybe you should take a break, change the Nintendo biased icon, and not comment about Nintendo based games in an article that has nothing to do with Nintendo, games, or planets.

...or get some glasses/new monitor.

[mattclarkie @ Dec 31st 2007 10:01AM]

I can see an obvious issue here. If the LED is exposed then dust will cover up the holes and no advantage is gained. If they are encased behind plastic then no benefit. I can't see how this will make a real world difference.

[adi @ Dec 31st 2007 3:34PM]

That is the great bit.

There isn't one.

Hooray for useless but still better technology.

[avesv @ Jan 6th 2008 4:28AM]

Sounds like you don't really know the technology. I may be assuming a bit like you, but I would suggest that holes made at a nano-level size would not be affected by dust particles, as dust particles are much larger (and even visible to the human eye). Furthermore I don't see why optically the extra light produced would not be aided by a lens (encased) as normal LEDs often are. Were you suggesting this additional light is mysteriously stopped as soon as it passes through a transparent barrier, unlike the normal light produced?

[mattclarkie @ Jan 1st 2008 5:01AM]

I presume the aim of the nano holes is that they allow the photons to pass through without the intensitiy being diminished by a barrier of some sort. Anything that covers the holes would act exactly the same as an LED with no Nano holes. Unless the holes serve some other purpose than to allow the photons to be emitted without diminished intensity, I cannot see how it makes a difference outside of a vacuum.

[CPFReviews.com @ Dec 31st 2007 2:16PM]

It's not surprising how LED's have evolved since the early days of indicator RED LED's

Today the Thin Film Technology Luxeon Rebel's and Cree XR-E LED's have crossed 100 lumens per watt in terms of efficiency... easily challenge the high efficiency CFL's

Added Advantage for for LED's apart from being hyperefficient is they do not require Mercury or Lead, last 50K hours and are more pleasing to Eyes.

I have a small reviews site for LED Flashlights at http://www.cpfreviews.com ... flashlights have come a long way since MiniMag AA was considered as Professional Tool.... Today, we have Flashlights in which we can Program Light Output Levels and a flashlight just the size of bezel of MiniMag AA could produce upwards of 150 Lumens Lasting for more than 2 hours Regulated. (MiniMag Produces 4 - 7 Lumens, non Regulated, 1 hour and diminishing to less than 1 lumen in 2 hours!!!)

[mattclarkie @ Dec 31st 2007 3:51PM]

Just stop using them for Christmas Lights. I am on my 5th set in 3 years, and I need a 6th now. They break within hours of turning them on. I think the wiring is the problem. I have a set of Low Volt Incandecents which have the same functions, and they are 5 years old and still going strong.

[Jeebus @ Dec 31st 2007 3:57PM]

Whatever happened to the 1000 lumen LED we were supposed to get 6 months ago?

http://www.physorg.com/news93198212.html

[Fred Thompson @ Dec 31st 2007 11:49PM]

This reminds me of how the US Govmint "helps" the market. Ten years ago it was huge amounts of copper wires to network schools and now it's outlawing incandescent bulbs (to push CF bulbs.) The market brings wireless to reality and low cost which would have had far less cost than copper wires and now it looks like LED lights will surpass CF. LED has the potential for a full light spectrum, no heat and virtually no toxic components. Lets hope the market outpaces the "leaders" this time...

[WineStein @ Jan 5th 2008 3:18PM]

Um, simple questions here..

1. "fair bit brighter" means exactly HOW MUCH BRIGHTER? (Someone mentioned 2x the brightness above but I havent read that anywhere yet) Seems to me they should say exactly HOW Much is gained by this process.

2. What does this process do to lifespan?
Does brighter mean shorter lifespan? Assuming this one also lasts 50K hours fine.

3. Are there new increased heat issues with the brighter bulbs? Brighter normally means HOTTER.. or are these increased brightness yet same temp due to more effecient use of the same use of power?

Someone with specifics please reply.

thanks

[starwxrwx @ Jan 1st 2008 9:18PM]

The linked article has little details and 30 seconds of searching on the Uni website didn't turn up more specifics BUT...

a lot of the light produced inside an LED is unable to escape from the semiconductor (ie the material that produces the light) because it gets internally reflected (imagine the light is generated inside a box, and the inside of the walls are mirrors - the idea is to make the mirrors more like windows in order to let the light out of the box).

Roughening of the surface (easiest idea to imagine) can help to reduce the reflectivity of the side walls of the LED. This enables more photons (light particles) to escape - and in fact would REDUCE the temperature of the device as these photons do not get stuck inside and turn into heat.

It sounds as though they are simply increasing extraction efficiency, but it is unclear if it is a photonic crystal type approach (basically making a pattern of holes to choose wavelengths of light to transmit - like the pattern of holes on your microwave door that stop that wavelength of radiation from escaping through the glass door).