ESLs to be the Future of Light Bulbs

September 17, 2009 - 5:24 am | 7 views

Technology.am (Sept. 17, 2009) — Vu1 (view one) Corp., is working on electron stimulated luminescence (ESL) bulbs, an alternative to CFLs and LED lights. ESLs will be available in mid-2010.

vu1 Like cathode ray tubes and TVs, ESL technology works by firing electrons at phosphor that illuminate a large surface over a long lifetime.

Similar to CFLs, ESLs produce 50 percent less heat than incandescents and use 65% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and lasts up to 6,000 hours, about three to four times the lifespan of incandescents and comparable to CFLs.

However, LEDs can last for up to 50,000 hours, but their heat dissipation requirements make them more expensive than other bulbs.

Vu1 explains that the CFLs’ contain about 5 mg of mercury, while ESLs don’t contain hazardous substances.

The CFLs’ cooler colors are less pleasing than incandescent bulbs; while ESLs warm color temperature is similar to incandescent light.

LEDs priced at $40 each, whereas ESLs costs about $20, or the equivalent of a dimmable CFL reflector bulb.

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