Selective Emitter Based Energy Efficient Incandescent Lamp Technology

Artificial lighting consumes about 20 percent of U.S. energy production and has rather low efficiencies: from 7 percent for incandescent lamps to about 30 percent for the most efficient, but high cost, discharge and compact fluorescent lamps. This project will develop an economical incandescent lamp, based on an innovative selective emitter technology, with a high energy efficiency. Phase I analytically demonstrated feasibility of the selective-emitter-based energy efficient incandescent lamp, demonstrated the fabrication process for the key emitter element, and proved that the emitter could performe for several hours without filament burn-out. Phase II will optimize the designs, materials, and processes used in Phase I, demonstrate the technical goals (efficiency, life, cost) of the lamp through fabrication and testing, and demonstrate repeatability in performance and life. Phase II lamps are targeted to have twice the efficiency of current incandescent lamps, 2000 hr life, and a cost comparable to standard incandescent lamps.Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: This technology should be applicable to many types of incandescent lamps for energy efficiency and conservation. Similar applications exist in industrial applications such as paper drying and photovoltaic systems (for energy generation). An economical incandescent lamp with a high energy efficiency would have a annual market exceeding $1 billion per year. After successful development and implementation, such efficient lamps would produce energy savings of 3-5 percent