Researchers Develop Technology for Better and Cheaper LED Light Bars

Researchers from a well-known US university have developed a new method that will paved the way for better LED light bars, as well as LEDs for smart phones and general use. According to reports, the research team from Princeton University used their expertise in nanotechnology to develop a system that would remarkably increase the performance of LED lights.

Stephen Chou, electrical engineering professor at Princeton and leader of the research team, explained that PlaCSH (plasmonic cavity with subwavelength hole array), the new nanotechnology structure they have developed, will help improve the brightness, intensity, and clarity of LEDs made from organic materials. He added that it could also produce similar results in LEDs made from inorganic or silicon-based materials, which are widely used today. "New nanotechnology can change the rules of the ways we manipulate light. We can use this to make devices with unprecedented performance," he said.

Although they are widely known for their energy efficiency and excellent light output, today's LEDs, including those used in light bars in trucks, 4WDs, and other motor vehicles, actually have design challenges. One of these challenges is to reduce the amount of light that gets trapped inside the LED's structure. Not only it makes the LED look dim and less energy efficient, the trapped light also heats the LED, thus, helping reduce its lifespan.

But with Chou's PlaCSH, users could achieve better light extraction with LEDs. According to the researchers, this technology can increase the efficiency of light extraction to 60%, which is 57% higher than conventional high-end organic LEDs. At the same time, PlaCSH can also improve clarity in ambient light by 400%. And more importantly, it can help address the heating problem caused by the light trapped in standard LEDs.

With great things shaping up for the LED industry, now is indeed a great time to switch to more energy efficient lighting devices for your vehicle. By choosing LED lights over conventional lighting devices, like halogen lamps for instance, you can get better results, excellent light output, and durability, which allow you to save more money in the long run because you don't have to buy replacements as frequently as before.

Sure, some might argue that LEDs might be more expensive than conventional lights now. But with Professor Chou and other experts creating and developing more ways to improve the efficiency and performance of LEDs, prices of LED light bar 4x4 and other similar devices will continue to drop, making LEDs more accessible to each and every car owner.