Next generation LEDs are cheap and sustainable
Researchers are developing a new generation of perovskite-based LEDs that aim to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly by reducing or replacing gold with more common metals, though they still require small amounts of lead. Commenters weigh this promise against real-world issues with today’s LED lighting: poor durability due to failing drivers and heat, flicker and dimming problems, non-replaceable batteries and modules that increase electronic waste, and ongoing dissatisfaction with light quality compared to halogen and incandescent bulbs. There is also skepticism about vague “sustainability” claims and concern over lifecycle impacts, including what happens when vast quantities of LED-based products are discarded.
Terminology and marketing claims
- Several comments argue “sustainable” is a mistranslation of the Swedish “miljövänliga” (“environmentally friendly”), and that both are fuzzy marketing terms.
- Others push back on knee‑jerk cynicism, noting the work is explicitly about lifecycle‑aware device design, not just buzzwords.
Environmental and material considerations
- The article’s “environmental gain” is framed mainly as replacing gold with cheaper metals (copper, aluminum, nickel), while keeping a small amount of lead.
- Some are uneasy with this framing: it downplays lead, which commenters see as a serious pollutant, especially when products are mass‑produced and discarded.
- There’s debate over how much risk encapsulated LEDs actually pose to the environment.
Reliability, design, and disposability of LEDs
- Many report LED bulbs and fixtures failing more often than advertised, often due to bad drivers and heat, not the LED chips themselves.
- Enclosed or unvented fixtures, old dimmers/relays, and dirty mains power are cited as common LED killers.
- Integrated LED fixtures and sealed-battery products are criticized as promoting disposability; replacing entire fixtures or devices for minor failures is seen as wasteful.
- Some note that better‑quality or commercial‑grade products last much longer, but are expensive; others say even brand‑name bulbs can fail early.
Light quality, flicker, and dimming
- Users complain about poor color rendering and the inability of most LEDs to match halogen’s “full spectrum” feel. High‑CRI LEDs exist but are costly and still not equivalent.
- Others prefer daylight‑temperature LEDs and don’t understand the spectrum criticism.
- PWM dimming is discussed at length: it’s standard, efficient, and decades‑old practice, but can introduce flicker that causes headaches for some.
- Some want simple, non‑flickering, dimmable LEDs; suggestions include using 0–10V dimming drivers or higher‑frequency PWM.
Perovskite LEDs and longevity
- Commenters note perovskite LEDs are not a brand‑new concept and that lifetime is the main hurdle before their lower material costs matter.
- Some question whether perovskites’ reputed fragility and short lifetimes (e.g., in solar cells) undermine their promise for general lighting.
Open, modular, and system‑level ideas
- There’s a desire for open, modular electronics (shared LED drivers, appliance controllers) to reduce waste.
- Others argue this conflicts with economics, certification costs, IP issues, and the long‑running trend toward higher integration, not modularity.
- A DC lighting circuit for homes is proposed but dismissed as uneconomical due to voltage drop; centralized drivers plus LED fixtures are suggested instead.