GE Scientists employ jet engine cooling technology in prototype LED bulb

1,500-lumen prototype produces as much light as a 100-watt halogen bulb, using 1/3 the energy. GE's patented ''dual cool jets'' technology solves thermal challenges, enables lamp design that is half the size and weight of a 600-lumen LED downlight available today

Scientists from GE Global Research, the technology development arm for the General Electric Company, GE Lighting, and the University of Maryland - as part of a two-year solid-state lighting programme with the US department of energy - have announced the successful demonstration of a 1,500-lumen LED bulb (a standard 100-watt halogen PAR38 bulb produces 1,500 lumens) that addresses key barriers to more widespread adoption of LED bulbs for general lighting.

The prototype provides a snapshot of the future, ''The scientists and technology leaders involved in this collaboration are dissolving some major barriers to the commercialisation of general lighting LED bulbs,'' says John Strainic, global product general manager for GE Lighting. ''We're taking swings at issues such as higher light output options, thermal management, and bulb size and weight. This kicks open the door to the solid-state age that is upon us.''

This LED technology achievement was announced today during a future of lighting symposium that GE hosted at its Global Research headquarters in Niskayuna, NY.

As part of the DOE project, GE and the research team of Professors Bongtae Han and Avram Bar-Cohen at the University of Maryland's A James Clark School of Engineering have developed and demonstrated novel cooling technologies that effectively manage the heat and promote lower system costs by reducing the number of LED chips required, when compared to conventional cooling technologies.

Mehmet Arik, a mechanical engineer at GE Global Research and principal investigator on the LED project, says, ''This is a revolutionary cooling technology with great promise. It has the potential to help us take LED lighting performance and efficiency to new heights. Through further research and improvements, we may be able to increase performance without compromising the efficiency or lifetime of an LED bulb.''