A $10 million (US) competition to design a better light bulb has been initiated by the United States’ Department of Energy (DOE). Taking a page from the X-Prize foundation, which offers monetary rewards for innovative products, the government hopes to find a replacement for the 19th century incandescent light bulb. Dubbed the L-Prize – short for light prize – the competition will “substantially accelerate America’s shift from inefficient, dated lighting products to innovative, high-performance products. Just as Thomas Edison transformed illumination over a century ago, the L Prize will drive innovation and market adoption.” According to the website, the L Prize is “the first government-sponsored technology competition designed to spur lighting manufacturers to develop high-quality, high-efficiency solid-state lighting products to replace the common light bulb.” Click here for a copy of the competition’s requirements (PDF).

Currently, there are several options available to consumers that are more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. Among those that have been on the market are the squiggly compact florescent light bulb (CFL) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). While these bulbs have achieved great reduction in energy, one major argument against their use is the seemingly unnatural light they produce. In addition, CFLs use toxic metals such as mercury in their manufacture.

Announced last year, the L-Prize has its first entrant. Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands, a “diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations,” submitted the first bulb for testing. A press release from the company states that they “manufactured and will bring to market an LED replacement for the common 60-Watt incandescent light bulb. Philips developed this product in response to DOE’s industry-wide challenge, and was . . . recognized by DOE as the first company to submit an entry.”

The New York Times reported last week that “Testing of the Philips lamp will take close to a year to complete as the department independently evaluates the company’s claims.” During this time more entrants are expected to submit their updated version of the light bulb.

- Eric Wilson

[image source: Philips]