Light Tape

[Modelworks]

Not sure what category this should be posted under, so many uses.
Cars, homes, pc cases, home theater setups. I could even see the tech being used in displays

Was reading an electronics mag I just got and saw the article. Never heard of it before.
If they can mass produce it cheaper then I could even see it replacing CF lamps.


http://www.lighttape.com/default.asp

Light Tape® is the most energy efficient and versatile light bulb ever developed! Light Tape® Lamps and animated signs are at the leading edge of global quality, reliability and service standards.

How Does Light Tape® ® Work?

Electroluminescence (EL) is a means of generating light by the electrical excitation of light emitting phosphors, similar to how Plasma televisions are backlit today. In this case, the light emitting phosphors are located between two electrically conductive plates. Applying an alternating (A.C.) current activates the system producing light. At least one of the electrodes consists of a light transmissive conductive material allowing the light to escape.

EXTREMELY DURABLE, CUT IT WITH SCISSORS!

Light Tape® does not contain glass, gas or have any filaments to break, it will not fail catastrophically. Designed to withstand high impact or pressure, not abrasion.

SAFE ALTERNATIVE, NO MORE GLASS!

Our Light Tape® technology is basically a flat flexible plastic lamp that does not contain gasses, filaments, mercury or glass. It is extremely visible through smoke yet does not produce a glare. Cool to touch and meets UL as well as other agency safety requirements.

INCREDIBLE ENERGY SAVINGS

One hundred meters of standard 1" Light Tape® lamp consumes less than a 100 watt light bulb! Light Tape® is the most energy efficient form of lighting available today. Typical energy consumption is less than 0.25 ma / sq. in.

UNIFORM SURFACE LIGHTING

Light Tape® backlighting systems uniformly backlight onyx, engineered materials and signage. Fits in almost any space at less than 0.02" thick! No more hot or dark spots and does not generate heat.

 

[Evadman]

Holy crap, it costs $25 a foot.

 

[Modelworks]

Yeah that is the only thing I see wrong with it. Still if it got mass produced that would drop a lot.


Figuring up the light output, it is capable of providing the equivalent of a 10 watt bulb for every 4 inches. So a panel 4 inches x 10 inches would be equivalent to a 100watt bulb output. But it would be flat so could be mounted flush to a ceiling in a room or run around the perimeter to spread out the light and would only use 40 watts of power and produce no heat.

 

[0roo0roo]

isn't this the el tape people used to garishly mod cases with? i doubt it would be used in displays i don't think its efficient or the light quality is up to it and it doesn't last that long without dimming.

 

[0roo0roo]

dans el tape from 2002 http://www.dansdata.com/bluelights.htm

 

[Modelworks]

I thought it was the same stuff used for cases, but it isn't. It has a 5 year lifetime at full brightness and can be used for animated displays. It is essentially all the benefits of an led without the power usage and more flexibility.
Power usage is only 100 watts for 100 feet.

 

[0roo0roo]

Another problem is that EL material has a lousy lifespan - commonly only about 3000 hours. So even if the battery life was a week, the backlight would be substantially dimmer, if it worked at all, after about four months. http://www.dansdata.com/danletters061.htm

maybe its improved a little since then, but it had significant disadvantages.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
dans el tape from 2002 http://www.dansdata.com/bluelights.htm

Its not the same thing.

 

[0roo0roo]

how so, looks like a newer version of the same thing to me.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
how so, looks like a newer version of the same thing to me.

5 year life span when full bright. or 40,000 hours
Runs at 250VAC vs 90VAC
Uses 1/4 the power of the old tech and less than LED
Can be placed outdoors
Output light equivalent to a 100 watt bulb in a 40 Sq inch area for 40 watts in power.
Being used in animated displays in place of neon tubes

Just wish the price was better.
This is $25 a foot, the stuff in your link sells for $2 a foot.