Cree releases revolutionary LED light bulb

DURHAM, USA: About 131 years ago, Thomas Alva Edison was granted US patent 223,898 for “Improvement in Electric Lamps and in the method of manufacturing.” Today’s LED lighting revolution heralds the demise of Edison’s 1880, horse-and-buggy era invention.

In an industry first, Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) has demonstrated the brightest, most efficient, LED-based A-lamp that can meet ENERGY STAR performance requirements for a 60 watt standard LED replacement bulb. This unprecedented level of performance is the result of Cree innovation, Cree barrier-breaking LED performance, Cree TrueWhite Technology and patented Cree remote phosphor technology.

“This is a significant milestone for the industry,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. “In the race to commercialize low-cost, energy-efficient LED bulbs, the industry has forgotten that LED lighting is supposed to look as good as the technology it is replacing. This is the first no compromise replacement for a 60 watt incandescent bulb.”

The prototype bulb is dimmable and emits a beautiful, warm incandescent-like color of 2700 K, with a CRI of at least 90. It delivers more than 800 lumens and consumes fewer than 10 watts and has been submitted for third party testing to validate the light distribution, lumen maintenance and performance.

“We are committed to leading the market and showing the industry what’s possible with recent innovations in our LED products and technology,” said Swoboda. “We are excited to show the world what it should expect in an LED light bulb and enable our customers’ products with these innovations.”

No commercially available LED A-lamps meet the ENERGY STAR® performance requirements for 60 watt standard replacement bulbs at this level of efficiency and light quality.

“This is the first standard LED A-lamp that combines high output with very high efficiency, in a small form factor, without the additional cost and complexity of active cooling or other design compromises,” said Rob Glass, Cree, vice president of technology. “We continue to advance our LED technologies to enable our customers’ success and to help accelerate the LED revolution.”