University of St Andrews - New technology makes light work

The next generation of low-cost light sources has emerged - and they can match any colour of the rainbow. Physicists Ifor Samuel and Graham Turnbull at the University of St Andrews have developed the technology, which will have uses ranging from medical diagnosis and treatment to Christmas lights and light-up trainers. The compact new lights can be created at a fraction of the cost of existing technologies because they are powered by a single light-emitting diode rather than by a laser.