In 50 years LEDs have developed from a tiny red glow to a more efficient, reliable and controllable replacement in almost every conceivable application. From floodlighting to medical uses, domestic and workplace environments, in all the major wattages and fittings, LEDs are everywhere.
LEDs are commonly used in a whole host of applications such as monitors and flat screen televisions, smart phones and tablets, car headlights and indicator lamps, traffic lights and Christmas tree lights, signage and entertainment applications. As energy-efficient LED technology develops, so do our uses for LEDs.
Interesting LED Facts
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Heat is what causes traditional light bulbs to shine (incandescence), whereas electrical voltage itself makes LEDs shine (electroluminescence).
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LEDs low UV content makes them far less attractive to insects than traditional lights.
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Good quality LEDs can easily exceed 50,000 hours lifetime – that’s over 5 ½ years of continuous use!
Blue LEDs can help keep food fresher. They have a strong antibacterial effect on foodborne pathogens leading to their increased usage in fridges.
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Times Square’s 12ft New Year’s Eve ball is illuminated with 32,256 LEDs! Overall the ball can display 16 million colours enabling its mesmerising kaleidoscope pattern effects.
Led grow lights for horticulture
LEDs can significantly stimulate plant growth while drastically reducing energy consumption using more targeted lighting. An emerging trend, set to become a mega-trend in the not too distant future, is the concept of urban farming or gardening. With the earth’s population continually increasing it will become ever more challenging to meet consumer demands for fresh produce.
Urban farming concepts include skyscraper farms, underground farms and rooftop farms producing fresh fruits, vegetables and grains within urban areas. This reduces transportation costs and carbon footprint in addition to minimising land usage, and makes it possible to produce crops all year round in any part of the world. In fact, astronauts recently ate the first food grown off the planet Earth using LED lights to simulate the natural growing cycle.