DEC 30

Firstly, I'd like to complain about the commenting system, after keeping me waiting for several minutes while the commnet is being added, it then said that my comment is too short, which as you can clearly see below, is, if anything, too long.
Damn, I worked out why it was saying it's too short (an odd number, or too many quote marks for some reason) but now it's saying Invalid email address.

"And the final advantage they have over OLEDs and LEDs is that the factory that produces them is already built."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there already factories that make LEDs? So where's the advantage?

My next concern, is if they're no longer in the TV-backlight production, because the market for 32-inch TVs is too small, does that mean they're limited to lights that big (otherwise, why not make the same backlights, but for smaller TV sizes).
And if it's not size that's the issue, but because other light sources are being used as backlighting instead of fluorescents (e.g. LEDs), then wouldn't that mean these fluorescents are inferior to the (screen backlighting) alternative, in which case, why would I use one as a bulb, rather than the better alternative?

And being more efficient than regular fluorescents isn't that difficult, but how do they compare to LEDs and OLEDs?

And how brittle are they? being as big as they are, and mere millimeters thick, I can imagine that they'd be a lot easier to accidentally smash than other light sources.

But after reading the last paragraph, it seems these (i.e. the 32-inch ones) are directed more towards commercial use, than residential, so by the time they get round to making ones that fit in conventional light sockets, LEDs and OLEDs may have significantly come down in price (which, at the moment, is the only way I can these beating OLEDs).

Thanks for the above comment...first, on a technical level, yeah, we need to fix that. I think you're right, that it does have something to do with the quotation marks or apostraphes in the post. But it's a ridiculous problem to have, and we'll get on it immediately.

As for the advantages over LEDs and OLEDs...the form factor makes this more an OLED competitor, and they aren't being mass produced at all. High-brightness white LEDs are being produced, but not at a large scale.

The problem wasn't that they couldn't use them in 32 inch televisions, it's just that since they couldn't make backlights for 42 and 52 inch televisions, the market for the lights was too small. Frankly, I think a 52 inch television is ridiculous...but apparently they're the norm now.

And, last, these are never going to go into traditional fixtures. Starting with commercial applications and new building is great. EcoGeek isn't about what you can do to green your life...we leave that to treehugger and the rest...it's about technology that will save the whole planet, and lives...so I'm not overly concerned that I won't be able to buy one myself. As long as they're saving power in the commercial sector, I'm happy.

Higher Color Rendering Index.

More than half of the CFL I have bought have gone bad. The amount of energy saved by us switching to CFL will never be more then the energy it took to build the CFL that went bad. There are a lot of electronics in one CFL compare to none in a regular light. CFL do not seem to be the solution. I would wait for lower cost LED lights.

will continue to be sold in america. they can't be used for "conventional purposes" however there are a number of instances where they are allowable. please report this accurately.

that said, this and some of the OLED sources are quite promising, if they can produce a good CRI. CFLs are quite good now once you get to a specification level lamp instead of the no-name ones found at home despot or wally world. you'll pay a few dollars more per lamp, but still see major savings. (and all ace hardwares in the usa will accept them for recycling for free)

while i am all for efficiency, an all out ban on incandescents seems to reactionary. if you know answers to these, please reply, but once incandescents are banned, what are we to use for:

-ovens and other very hot environments
-pet (i.e., lizard, turtle) housings (as warmers)
-egg incubators
-easy bake ovens (OK, this is probably not a dire need)

I suspect the replacements for the above will be very expensive.

Hi, Rich here, from Lumiette. Hope you don't mind my dropping in on your discussion. Thanks for all of your interest & comments!

I think of our Flat Panel Lamp (FPL) as uniquely combining the best attributes of LED & fluorescent lightsources. It shares LED's low profile, dimmability, long life, and high efficiency.

Conversely it shares 'traditional' fluorescent's cool operating temperature; color temp, rendering, and maintenance; is far more appropriate than LED for general illumination distribution (and, BTW, essentially highlight- and shadow-free); and, significantly, carries a fraction of LED's cost.

Importantly, an established fabrication facility moves us from the realm of theoretical 'future' technologies (5, 10, 20 yrs. away), to a real-world product which can be produced today.

While it's true that commercial markets often facilitate early adoption, we're not closed to residential channels. In truth, we're in discussions with lighting mfr's. on both sides. In either case, new construction applications will beat retrofits to the market, but the FPL's innovative combination of attributes also has great potential as an energy efficient retrofit. Particularly on the residential side, think of never changing a light bulb again..... (15 - 20 yrs., anyway).

We've already (& will continue to) improve physical durability, as FPLs move from the protected environment of the TV casing, out into the relative open.

Lastly: while 32" diagonal (27x16") IS our basic panel size at present, smaller panels can be virtually of any dimension, and any size can be joined to create larger formats.

This IS a better quality lightsource (for the TV industry, as well). But tooling costs prohibit the great agility which has proven necessary for survival in the TV market. Whereas sizing in the lighting industry is anything but a rapidly moving target, hence it will now become the accidental benefactor of this exciting illumination technology.

Thanks & best regards,
Rich :)

I visited a sight called LayZgreenPeople.com I is like the MySpace or facebook of the green movement. It is great. You can keep up to date on all sorts of things. Learn what steps you can take to help the environment.

This is exactly what the lighting industry needs. Thinking outside the bulb is what is going to change things. I have been a proponent of LED technologies for the last few years, but even thought they are advancing at a fast pace they are still pricey and have design challenges to fixtures.

These FPL from Luminette seem to be a fantastic compromise between CFL and LED. Now we just need to design some nice fixtures for these new flat panel lights. Maybe I should stop designing industrial machinery and move on to something more exciting.

And it is fantastic to see a company representative here posting.

Keep up the good work ecogeek and luminette