Jan. 24, 2001-- Reported by News Specialist John Daley
Energy conservation has become a hot issue again, one that is not only on the minds of average Utahns, but also of researchers working on a potentially groundbreaking way to save energy.
Rolling blackouts in California have done plenty to raise awareness about energy conservation.
And the timing couldn't be better for some University of Utah researchers.
Valy Vardeny and his team of physicists study devices called light emitting diodes, or LEDs.
You often see LEDs used for displays in things, like electronic equipment and traffic signals.
They are much more efficient and longer lived than everyday light bulbs, and the researchers here have developed a test showing that so-called "plastic LEDs"--made from organic materials--can be roughly twice as energy efficient as previously believed.
They've reported their findings in the latest edition of the British journal Nature.
Valy Vardeny/University of Utah/Physics Chairman: "IT'LL BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT THAN THE LIGHT BULBS WE USE EVERY DAY."
John Daley/Eyewitness News: "SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN? IT MEANS THAT WITHIN THE NEXT 10 YEARS THE TRADITIONAL LIGHT BULB COULD BE REPLACED WITH LIGHT EMITTING DIODES MADE OF ORGANIC PLASTIC AND THESE WILL BE USED EVERYWHERE."
Plastic LED light bulbs would be super energy efficient, each one lasting more than 10 years.
It's a welcome development, according to an Eyewitness News/Survey USA poll.
We asked 500 Utahns: Have you made changes to conserve electricity as a result of the California shortage?
A solid majority, 62% say yes.
So there's clearly a market for more efficient light bulbs.
Researchers at the U have filed a patent on their discovery and hope it can make a difference.
Markus Wohlgenannt/University of Utah Physicist: "AS A PERSON TO CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING TO SOLVING OR RELIEVING THIS ENERGY CRISIS, MAKES ME FEEL GOOD."
We use 30 percent of our electricy to power lights, but if this discovery takes off it could be a fraction of that.
Researchers at the U hope companies that make LEDs will be interested in paying the University for the rights to their discovery, which could turn out to be both an energy-saving and lucrative innovation.
