Researchers have found that by adding a layer of nanoparticles to LED designs they are able to produce more light for the same energy, and also increase their lifetime. Making light-emitting diode (LED) light sources more efficient and longer-lasting will mean they use less energy, reducing the environmental impact of their electricity use.
The team modeled the impact of placing a two-dimensional (single layer) of nanoparticles between the LED chip, which produces the light, and the transparent casing that protects the chip. Although the casing is necessary, it can cause unwanted reflections of the light emitted from the LED chip, meaning that not all the light escapes.
The research team found that by adding a layer of finely tuned nanoparticles they could reduce these reflections, allowing up to 20 percent more light to be emitted. These reflections also increase the heat inside the device, degrading the LED chip faster, so by reducing the reflections they were also able to reduce the heat and increase the lifetime of LED chips.
Source: New Electronics