Japanese team develops alternative LED structure
Researchers from Meijo University, Japan, claim that they have doubled the efficiency of white LEDs, according to the Japanese web-site Nikkei.net.
The report says that the device, which delivers a 130 lm/W output, uses a purple-emitting LED combined with a "structured" SiC substrate that converts this emission into white light.
This approach contrasts that taken by many LED manufacturers, which use blue-emitting devices and color-converting yellow phosphors.
The Japanese researchers have submitted patent applications for the structure of the SiC substrate, and team-member Satoshi Kamiyama is intending to launch a company in January to market these LEDs, according to the Nikkei.net.
With investment of 40 million yen ($ 330,000), the start-up plans to ship samples such as a 800 lumen light source.
