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Summary

Microplasma Lighting

General Lighting: Microplasma Panels vs. CFLs

Mercury-free, flat panel, microcavity discharge devices intended for general illumination, biomedical applications and other uses. Microplasma technology improves upon traditional plasma lighting technology by overcoming the limitations of conventional macro-scale plasmas and offering an ultrathin, lightweight, non-ballasted product that is inexpensive to design and make.

Synopsis:

Introduced in 2008, microplasma lighting is based on the ionization of gas (plasma), as is fluorescent technology.  The current product is about 6 square inches in area and 4 millimeters thick.  It is more efficient than an incandescent lamp, mercury free and generates less heat than LEDs.  It delivers a high quality light with instant on and dimming capability (no warm up).

The U.S. Air Force is strongly supportive of this technology, given that low weight, small size, cool operation and relatively high output (30 to 40 lumens/watt) are assets when installed in crowded cockpits.  Its low profile makes it easy to package, ship, and store (Herring, 2012).  Microplasma lighting is dimmable and has a life of 50,000 hours.  Microplasma is not sensitive to temperature within the range of -200°C to 800°C.  The color rendering is high, at 80-85, and the color temperature is controllable.  

This technology is emerging and has not yet found a market niche for which it represents the energy efficient or superior product.  Current this planar light source is used in photography studio and video lighting.  Advances in cold cathode fluorescent lighting efficiency and LEDs may prevent this technology from reaching the market in conventional or general lighting applications. Other early uses may include architectural or display lighting. The cost in January 2011 was $1.04 per lumen/watt, which is expected to drop as lumen output increases.

Energy Savings: 0%
Energy Savings Rating: Not rated.  What's this?
LevelStatusDescription
1Concept not validatedClaims of energy savings may not be credible due to lack of documentation or validation by unbiased experts.
2Concept validated:An unbiased expert has validated efficiency concepts through technical review and calculations based on engineering principles.
3Limited assessmentAn unbiased expert has measured technology characteristics and factors of energy use through one or more tests in typical applications with a clear baseline.
4Extensive assessmentAdditional testing in relevant applications and environments has increased knowledge of performance across a broad range of products, applications, and system conditions.
5Comprehensive analysisResults of lab and field tests have been used to develop methods for reliable prediction of performance across the range of intended applications.
6Approved measureProtocols for technology application are established and approved.

Status:

Details

Microplasma Lighting

General Lighting: Microplasma Panels vs. CFLs

Mercury-free, flat panel, microcavity discharge devices intended for general illumination, biomedical applications and other uses. Microplasma technology improves upon traditional plasma lighting technology by overcoming the limitations of conventional macro-scale plasmas and offering an ultrathin, lightweight, non-ballasted product that is inexpensive to design and make.
Item ID: 267
Sector: Commercial
Energy System: Lighting--Lamps & Ballasts

Synopsis:

Introduced in 2008, microplasma lighting is based on the ionization of gas (plasma), as is fluorescent technology.  The current product is about 6 square inches in area and 4 millimeters thick.  It is more efficient than an incandescent lamp, mercury free and generates less heat than LEDs.  It delivers a high quality light with instant on and dimming capability (no warm up).

The U.S. Air Force is strongly supportive of this technology, given that low weight, small size, cool operation and relatively high output (30 to 40 lumens/watt) are assets when installed in crowded cockpits.  Its low profile makes it easy to package, ship, and store (Herring, 2012).  Microplasma lighting is dimmable and has a life of 50,000 hours.  Microplasma is not sensitive to temperature within the range of -200°C to 800°C.  The color rendering is high, at 80-85, and the color temperature is controllable.  

This technology is emerging and has not yet found a market niche for which it represents the energy efficient or superior product.  Current this planar light source is used in photography studio and video lighting.  Advances in cold cathode fluorescent lighting efficiency and LEDs may prevent this technology from reaching the market in conventional or general lighting applications. Other early uses may include architectural or display lighting. The cost in January 2011 was $1.04 per lumen/watt, which is expected to drop as lumen output increases.

Baseline Example:

Baseline Description:

Comments:

This planar or curved-surface lighting technology is emerging and has not yet found a significant energy using market niche for which it represents the energy efficient or superior product.  Currently this planar light source is used in photography studio and video lighting and may find a role in appliance and/or transportation lighting.  Advances in cold cathode fluorescent lighting efficiency and LEDs may prevent this technology from reaching the market in conventional or general lighting applications. Other early applications may include architectural or display lighting.

Manufacturer's Energy Savings Claims: Currently no data available.
Best Estimate of Energy Savings:

"Typical" Savings: 0%

Comments:

Energy Use of Emerging Technology:
Currently no data available.
Technical Potential:
Currently no data available.
First Cost: Currently no data available.

Cost Effectiveness:

Simple payback, new construction (years): N/A

Simple payback, retrofit (years): N/A

What's this?

Cost Effectiveness is calculated using baseline energy use, best estimate of typical energy savings, and first cost. It does not account for factors such as impacts on O&M costs (which could be significant if product life is greatly extended) or savings of non-electric fuels such as natural gas. Actual overall cost effectiveness could be significantly different based on these other factors.

Reference and Citations:

J. Gary Eden, 12/19/2007. Advances in microplasma array lamps
SPIE

J. Gary Eden, 07/01/2010. Flexible Displays: Sheetlike microplasma arrays have many applications
Laser Focus World

Ashley Paddock, 02/01/2012. Microplasma arrays promise to revolutionize lighting
Photonics Spectra

USAF, 02/01/2012. Development of Microplasma Arrays for High Efficiency Lighting Tiles
Air Force STTR Phase II Final Report

Tina Casey, 11/19/2011. Air Force Puts Muscle Behind New Ultra-Efficient Lighting System
Clean Technica

Solid-State Lighting Technology Fact Sheet, 03/01/2013. Energy Efficiency of LEDs
U.S. DOE Building Technologies Program

Cy Herring, 01/01/2012. Microplasma Planar Lighting
Eden Park Illumination

Lighting Research Center, 01/01/2006. How Does the Efficacy of HW-CFLs Compare to Other Light Sources?
Rensselaer

Rank & Scores

Microplasma Lighting

There is no TAG available for this technology.
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