Vu1 Corporation

Study finds lead and arsenic in new types of light bulbs

2011-02-15T11:20:00.001-08:00

February 12, 2011

Study finds lead and arsenic in new types of light bulbs

University of California Irvine - Those light-emitting diodes marketed as safe, environmentally preferable alternatives to traditional light bulbs actually contain lead, arsenic and a dozen other potentially hazardous substances, according to newly published research.

“LEDs are touted as the next generation of lighting. But as we try to find better products that do not deplete energy resources or contribute to global warming, we have to be vigilant about the toxicity hazards of those marketed as replacements,” said Oladele Ogunseitan, chair of UC Irvine’s Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention.

He and fellow scientists at UCI and UC Davis crunched, leached and measured the tiny, multicolored light bulbs sold in Christmas strands; red, yellow and green traffic lights; and automobile headlights and brake lights. Their findings? Low-intensity red lights contained up to eight times the amount of lead allowed under California law, but in general, high-intensity, brighter bulbs had more contaminants than lower ones. White bulbs contained the least lead, but had high levels of nickel.

Lead, arsenic and many additional metals discovered in the bulbs or their related parts have been linked in hundreds of studies to different cancers, neurological damage, kidney disease, hypertension, skin rashes and other illnesses. The copper used in some LEDs also poses an ecological threat to fish, rivers and lakes.

Ogunseitan said that breaking a single light and breathing fumes would not automatically cause cancer, but could be a tipping point on top of chronic exposure to another carcinogen. And – noting that lead tastes sweet – he warned that small children could be harmed if they mistake the bright lights for candy.

He cites LEDs as a perfect example of the need to mandate product replacement testing. The diodes are widely hailed as safer than compact fluorescent bulbs, which contain dangerous mercury. But, he said, they weren’t properly tested for potential environmental health impacts before being marketed as the preferred alternative to inefficient incandescent bulbs, now being phased out under California law. A long-planned state regulation originally set to take effect Jan. 1 would have required advance testing of such replacement products. But it was opposed by industry groups, a less stringent version was substituted, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger placed the law on hold days before he left office.

LEDs Filled with Toxic Substances, Study Says

2011-02-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

Rachel Krech Rachel Krech – Fri Feb 11, 6:50 pm ET

LED lighting is considered to be the most efficient form of artificial illumination and even beats out the best and most efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. LEDs have been used since the 1960s and 70s and today they are used in everything from streetlights to laptop and television displays to holiday string lights. LEDs have long been the most efficient option and many manufacturers and companies market the LED bulbs as an environmentally friendly option. But a current study from the University of California-Irvine shows that the environmental benefits of LED lighting is offset by the potentially hazardous substances, including arsenic, found in the bulbs. Researchers from University of California-Irvine's School of Social Ecology and Program in Public Health analyzed red, yellow, green, and blue LEDs in low and high intensities to see the composition of each. They chose lights that would commonly be found on the typical Christmas tree lights and then ground up the contents of each bulb in order to analyze the different substances, specifically a wide range of heavy metals.

In the LEDs, the researchers found toxic chemicals including antimony, arsenic, chromium, and lead, as well as numerous other metals. In some cases, the amount of element was well over the regulation limit. In the low intensity red LEDs, researchers found the lead content was over 8 times the regulatory limit and the nickel content was approximately two and a half times over the limit as well.

Under environmental regulations in the State of California, most LEDs would be classified as hazardous waste and if disposed of in a standard landfill could easily leach into soil and groundwater, causing greater problems. Additionally, damaged LEDs could pose health risks to those handling them and having direct contact with the toxic substances. Unlike incandescent light bulbs, which are widely accepted to be an environmental and health hazard, LEDs fall into the area of discrepancy between state and federal regulations. In California, hazardous waste regulations are extremely strict, but federal EPA standards are more lax so many companies only have to abide by the federal minimum. In terms of the federal EPA standards, many of the LEDs in the study would not require any specialized disposal.

The study determined that arsenic, lead, nickel, and copper would have the greatest impact on human and ecological health due to their ability to bioaccumulate. Researchers stated that further research should be conducted by individual developers and manufacturers of LED products in order to produce the safest products possible for both consumers and the environment after their use. Finally, the study emphasized the fact that while LEDs are incredibly efficient, they are not completely environmentally friendly and simply carry different environmental and health risks than their counterparts.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Join the Yahoo! Contributor Network to start publishing your own articles.

Vu1 in Bloomberg News

2011-01-19T14:57:00.000-08:00

Vu1 in Talks With U.S. Retail ‘Big Boys’ to Sell Light Bulbs

By Alex Morales - Jan 17, 2011 11:55 PM PT

Vu1 Corp., a lighting-technology developer, is holding talks with two major U.S. retailers to sell its new energy-efficient light bulbs, Chief Executive Officer Philip Styles said in an interview.

The New York-based company has started production at its factory at Olomouc in the Czech Republic, and Styles said he hopes to have arrangements with big U.S. retailers by the middle of the year.

“We’re in discussion with major retailers here in the United States,” the former Sony Corp. executive said yesterday by telephone. “We’re currently in discussions with two and I’m trying to line up a third one. It’s the big boys here in the States,” he said, declining to name the potential customers.

Vu1 is hoping to win a share of the lighting market as countries including the 27 European Union members phase out incandescent bulbs and the U.S. brings in more rigorous efficiency standards in 2012.

The Czech plant is currently manufacturing “small quantities” and the plan is to ramp up to a rate of 6.8 million bulbs a year by year-end, and 30 million bulbs annually within two or three years, Styles said. A product suitable for Europe markets should be available by the end of 2011, he said.

Vu1 is promoting its lighting as cheaper than LEDs and, unlike the more efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, doesn’t contain mercury, a poisonous substance.

“We’re pitching our product in between the two main competitors at this moment in time,” Styles said, putting the price of Vu1’s bulb at just below $20 compared with about $40 for an LED and $12 to $13 for a compact fluorescent bulb.

The 19.5-watt bulb is priced at just below $20 compared with about $40 for a similar LED and $12 to $13 for a compact fluorescent bulb, he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Morales in London at amorales2@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Reed Landberg at landberg@bloomberg.net.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-18/vu1-in-talks-with-u-s-retail-big-boys-to-sell-non-toxic-light-bulbs.html

FW: LEDs Magazine - August 2010

2010-09-08T10:54:00.001-07:00

From the latest issue of LEDs Magazine.

LAST WORD
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: LEDs not all they're cracked up to be?
Although LED lighting is proving to be useful in many applications, RON DAVIS, a marketing consultant with Vu1 Corporation, believes the industry should continue to consider other lighting options.

ARTICLES < Previous Next > Contents (August 2010) Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: LEDs not all they're cracked up to be? (MAGAZINE)Although LED lighting is proving to be useful in many applications, RON DAVIS, a marketing consultant with Vu1 corporation, believes the industry should continue to consider other lighting options.

Many years ago, I was assigned the task of establishing a beachhead of mini-computers in a large Fortune 50 company that had been operating under an “IBM only” buying mandate. I was working for the second largest computer company in the world, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). To set the expectations of the 22-person DEC sales team calling on this account I brought them into the customer’s primary data center. I walked them into a 50,000 square foot “glass house” packed with huge IBM mainframe computers and said “here’s your challenge”. As someone involved with a new lighting technology that is not LED based – I felt the same “challenge” as I walked into this year’s Light Fair. I have commented that the name should have been changed to “LED Fair”. I mentioned on the Vu1 Corporation blog (vu1corp.blogspot.com) that one was hard pressed to find even a CFL at this year’s Light Fair.

This all leads me to suggest that the lighting industry should not be putting all of its “eggs in one basket”. LEDs will likely prove to be a great solution in many applications. They are already showing great promise in automotive, street lights, traffic signals, retail and display applications. Unfortunately, some of the basic characteristics of LEDs may keep them from being the best solution in general illumination lighting. Concerns regarding brightness, spectrum, glare, dissipation, CRI and cost are issues that may not have easy solutions. Recent articles by leading U.S. Department of Energy SSL representatives are confirming that in LED general illumination products are too often over promising and under delivering.

Another consideration often overlooked is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for LEDs over a reasonable period of time such as 5-6 years. A LED value proposition that is based on 30-50K hours does not hold up when you consider the actual time a homeowner will stay in their current home – 6 years (according to the National Association of Realtors). A light bulb needs to reach breakeven in less than 2 years and start generating measureable savings. It will be a long while before a true direct replacement R30 or A19 LED bulb will come close to offering a compelling 5-6 year TCO. Lastly, the environmentally focused will start to look at the cradle-to-grave environmental cost of LED lighting solutions. When one considers - materials (especially heat sinking), manufacturing processes and the real show stopper - transportation costs (consider the weight of an LED versus a CFL or incandescent) – the LED may end up being a losing proposition.

The CFL industry is currently in a losing battle as they try to down play down their environmental Achilles Heel - the “mercury issue”. If the “small amount of mercury” in the CFL bulbs sold in America over the last 5 years were to end up in landfills potentially gaining exposure to soil and water – it will represent “enough mercury to contaminate every lake, river and stream in North America”. (www.informinc.com). The EPA predicts that – best case – only 25% of CFLs will be recycled. The rest will end up in landfills.

There are several General Illumination energy efficient technologies that should be considered and supported by industry and governments; Halogen Infrared Reflecting (HIR), Photoluminescent Nanofibers (PLNs), induction and of course my favorite, Electron Stimulated Luminescent (ESL).

Vu1 has been working to apply electron physics in a way never before used in general illumination lighting to create a product that essentially duplicates the incandescent light spectrum while being fully dimmable, instant on, trash bin disposable and similar in price and life to a CFL. Vu1 is hoping that industry and governments will want to hedge their bets and not put all their “eggs in one basket”.

By the way, what happened to the “2^nd largest computer company in the world” – DEC? They went out of business after 40 years. Why? Because they bet the farm on the mini-computer and refused to acknowledge that there could be a better technology on the way (the personal computer). Their “eggs were all in one basket”.

+++++

This article was published in the July/August 2010 issue of LEDs Magazine. To read the full version of this article, please visit our magazine page, where you can download FREE electronic PDF versions of all issues of LEDs Magazine. You can also request a print copy of LEDs Magazine (available by paid subscription) and sign up for our free weekly email newsletter.

About the Author Ron Davis is a marketing consultant with Vu1 Corporation.

http://www.ledsmagazine.com/magazine/toc/1008

Gregory Owens, Jr. Elected to Vu1’s Board of Directors

2010-07-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Capital C Partners:
Ian Bailey
+1- 212-359-9587
Michael Polyviou
+1- 913-789-9978

GREGORY OWENS, JR. ELECTED TO VU1’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Seattle, WA – July 27, 2010 - Vu1 Corporation (OTCBB: VUOC), a developer and manufacturer of mercury-free, energy-efficient, general illumination lighting technology, today announced that Gregory Owens, Jr., 31, has been elected to its Board of Directors.

Mr. Owens is a Portfolio Manager at SAM Advisors, LLC (SAMA) and also holds the title of Senior Vice President with Smith Asset Management, Inc. (SAMI) in New York City. Mr. Owens has more than a decade of capital markets experience in the securities industry, including tenures with Citi Global Capital Markets and AG Edwards, before joining SAMA and SAMI in 2008.

As a portfolio manager at SAMA, Mr. Owens’ portfolio holdings reflect deep value and special situation investments, typically purchasing publicly traded assets at what the group feels are steep discounts to their ultimate intrinsic value. Mr. Owens attended Syracuse University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance.

“I am delighted to have Greg join Vu1’s Board at this important stage in the company’s development as we transition from technology development to full scale commercial production,” commented Duncan Troy, Vu1’s Chairman. “We have valued the relationship with SAM Advisors, and now Greg’s deep analytical and capital markets experience will be a great addition to the Board and I look forward to working with him and SAM Advisors, LLC as a trusted partner.”

“My colleagues and I at SAM Advisors have been extremely pleased with the recent activity level at Vu1, and the preliminary order several weeks ago validates our long-term belief in the promise of the Company’s ESL lighting technology,” commented Gregory Owens, Jr. “We have been shareholders for some time and being on the Board allows me to work closely with Duncan and the rest of the Board and the senior management team to ensure the Company capitalizes on its business opportunities, monetizing not only our investment but for every current and future shareholder.”

About Vu1 Corporation

Vu1 Corporation is dedicated to applying its technology to produce energy efficient, environmentally-friendly lighting solutions worldwide. Vu1’s ESL™ Technology creates the same light quality as an incandescent bulb but is more energy efficient. There is no use of the neurotoxin Mercury (Hg) in the lighting process and the ESL™ Technology fits neatly into classic light bulb shapes similar to those familiar to consumers everywhere. This eliminates the need to bend the technology into an unusual, twisted spiral shape (CFL) or have costly and heavy heat dissipation designed into the bulb housing (LED). To learn more about Vu1’s technology, please view the video link http://vu1corporation.com/ESLupdate/ or go to: http://www.vu1.com/

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain the necessary funding required for our operations, the future demonstration and commercial availability of our light bulb, timing for submission of our light bulb to certification and certification results, timing for bulb production, manufacturing capability of our facility, future interest of channel partners and distributors, our strategic planning and business development plans, future applications of the technology, the viability, pricing and acceptance of our products in the market. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend" and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control, as well as the risks and other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our other periodic reports as filed from time to time).

For product enquires please contact info@Vu1.com .

# # #

Vu1 Announces Allowance of First U.S. Patent

2010-07-15T04:45:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Capital C Partners:
Ian Bailey
+1- 212-359-9587
Michael Polyviou
+1- 913-789-9978

VU1 ANNOUNCES ALLOWANCE OF FIRST U.S. PATENT FOR ITS UNIQUE ESL™ LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY

Superior light quality generated by Vu1’s Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESL™) lighting technology is demonstrated in newly released video

Seattle, WA – July [15], 2010 - Vu1 Corporation (OTCBB: VUOC), a developer and manufacturer of mercury-free, energy-efficient, general illumination lighting technology, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for a patent application for its ESL™ lighting technology. U.S. Patent Application Serial No.: 11/969,840 is for the system and apparatus for cathodoluminescent lighting, relating to the method of operation to create light via phosphor and a cathode, a key component of Vu1’s unique Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESL™) clean, energy efficient lighting technology.

“The allowance of Vu1’s first patent application, one of 11 pending US and international patent applications that we have already submitted for our ground-breaking technology, is another very important step for Vu1, “ commented R. Gale Sellers, Vu1’s Chief Executive Officer. “With Vu1’s first preliminary order received, its first patent application now allowed, its manufacturing facilities operational and ready to ramp up, the Vu1 team is excited to be moving ever closer to delivering on the promise of its ESL™ technology. While we remain focused on securing additional orders for Vu1’s R30 light bulbs, I believe the biggest achievement will be securing UL Certification for our first product, which we expect to receive this summer, allowing us to transition to full commercialization of Vu1’s ESL technology.”

Video demonstrating Vu1’s Superior ESLTM Lighting Technology

Vu1’s ESL proprietary technology produces light virtually identical in quality to traditional incandescent light bulbs, as well as being highly energy-efficient. By contrast, the majority of currently available ‘green’ lighting technologies, such as CFL and LED, do not produce the same quality of light and can make skin tones look green and bluish respectively.

To demonstrate this superior light quality, a new video is now available for viewing on Vu1’s website. The video can be viewed at: [http://www.Vu1.com/ESLupdate]

About Vu1 Corporation

Vu1 Corporation is dedicated to applying its technology to produce energy efficient, environmentally-friendly lighting solutions worldwide. Vu1’s ESL™ Technology creates the same light quality as an incandescent bulb but is more energy efficient. There is no use of the neurotoxin Mercury (Hg) in the lighting process and the ESL™ Technology fits neatly into classic light bulb shapes similar to those familiar to consumers everywhere. This eliminates the need to bend the technology into an unusual, twisted spiral shape (CFL) or have costly and heavy heat dissipation designed into the bulb housing (LED). To learn more about Vu1’s technology, please go to: http://www.Vu1.com/

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain the necessary funding required for our operations, the future demonstration and commercial availability of our light bulb, timing for submission of our light bulb to certification and certification results, timing for bulb production, manufacturing capability of our facility, future interest of channel partners and distributors, our strategic planning and business development plans, future applications of the technology, the viability, pricing and acceptance of our products in the market. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend" and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control, as well as the risks and other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our other periodic reports as filed from time to time).

For product enquires please contact info@Vu1.com .

# # #

Vu1 Announces New Executive Management and Board Roles

2010-07-07T10:38:00.001-07:00

Contact Capital C Partners:

Ian Bailey

+1- 212-359-9587

Michael Polyviou

+1- 913-789-9978

FOR IMMEDIATE release

Vu1 announces NEW EXECUTIVE management AND BOARD ROLEs;

VP Manufacturing Philip Styles promoted to chief operating officer; Director Duncan troy assumes chairman role

New Roles Reflect Company's Transition from Development Phase to Commercial Production and Sales and Marketing Focus

Seattle, WA - July 7, 2010 - Vu1 Corporation (OTCBB: VUOC), a developer and manufacturer of mercury-free, energy-efficient, general illumination lighting technology, today announced that Philip G. Styles, the Company's Vice President of Manufacturing and a Director of the Company's manufacturing subsidiary, Sendio s.r.o., has been promoted to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Styles has also been elected to the Company's Board of Directors.

Mr. Styles has been with Vu1 since September 2007 and his role at Sendio, the Company's wholly-owned manufacturing division in the Czech Republic, has been instrumental in bringing Vu1's technology from prototype to a product ready for transition to full-scale manufacturing. Prior to Vu1, he worked for Sony Corporation for 14 years in various technical and managerial positions in production engineering. Mr. Styles has also held several other senior management positions including, most recently, leading a joint venture between LG Electronics and Royal Philips Electronics in the Czech Republic.

Additionally, Duncan Troy, one of the Company's Directors, has been appointed to the position of Non-Executive Chairman. Mr. Troy was elected to the board of Vu1 in February 2004 and previously served as Non-Executive Chairman from May 2004 to July 2008. He is also the founder and a director of SMS LOTTOME LIMITED, a UK cell phone lottery and gaming company and a director of the board of Private Equity III Limited, a UK investment vehicle.

"As evidenced by the recent preliminary order for Vu1's R30 Electron Stimulated Luminescence™ flood energy-efficient light bulbs, Vu1 is one step closer to realizing the Company's very significant potential," commented Duncan Troy, Vu1's Chairman. "Phil's promotion reflects both his contributions to date and his value to Vu1 in the future, given our focus now on building out the broader operational structure and team needed to support the Company's growth. As we move from pure technology development to full-scale commercial manufacturing and execution of a multi-channel sales and marketing strategy, I am delighted to be assuming the role of Non-Executive Chairman at this critical stage in the Company's evolution. I congratulate Phil on his well-deserved promotion and I look forward to working closely with him, the rest of the executive management team and the Board of Directors to help ensure we successfully capitalize on the opportunities before Vu1."

Business Update Conference Call

As previously announced, Vu1 has scheduled a Business Update conference call, on which Mr. Sellers will be joined by Philip Styles, Chief Operating Officer and Chairman Duncan Troy. The conference call will take place on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 5:00 PM EDT (2:00 PM PDT/10:00 PM BST/11:00 PM CEST).

To listen to the Business Update conference call, participants in the US and Canada need to dial 800-374-2493 and international participants need to dial +1 706-634-7642. All participants need to provide the following access code: 86587723. A replay of the call will be available beginning two hours after the conclusion of the call until midnight on Friday, July 16, 2010. To access the replay, in the US and Canada, dial 800-642-1687 and for international participants dial +1-706-645-9291. Participants will need to use the same access as above: 86587723. On the morning of Thursday July 15th, a digital recording of the conference call can be accessed on the Company's website at www.Vu1.com.

About Vu1 Corporation

Vu1 Corporation is dedicated to applying its technology to produce energy efficient, environmentally-friendly lighting solutions worldwide. Vu1's ESL™ Technology creates the same light quality as an incandescent bulb but is more energy efficient. There is no use of the neurotoxin Mercury (Hg) in the lighting process and the ESL™ Technology fits neatly into classic light bulb shapes similar to those familiar to consumers everywhere. This eliminates the need to bend the technology into an unusual, twisted spiral shape (CFL) or have costly and heavy heat dissipation designed into the bulb housing (LED). To learn more about Vu1's technology, please view the video link http://Vu1.com/ESLupdate/ or go to: www.Vu1.com

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain the necessary funding required for our operations, the future demonstration and commercial availability of our light bulb, timing for submission of our light bulb to certification and certification results, timing for bulb production, manufacturing capability of our facility, future interest of channel partners and distributors, our strategic planning and business development plans, future applications of the technology, the viability, pricing and acceptance of our products in the market. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend" and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control, as well as the risks and other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our other periodic reports as filed from time to time).

For product enquires please contact info@Vu1.com .

# # #

Vu1 Receives Preliminary Order

2010-07-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Vu1 Receives Preliminary Order for Its Next Generation Energy-Efficient Environmentally Friendly Lighting Technology

Company Schedules Conference Call to Provide Full Business Progress Update

Press Release Source: Vu1 Corporation On Thursday July 1, 2010, 10:00 am EDT

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - 07/01/10) - Vu1 Corporation (OTC.BB:VUOC - News), a developer and manufacturer of mercury-free, energy-efficient, general illumination lighting technology, today announced that one of the Pacific Northwest's leading electrical distribution companies has placed a preliminary order for Vu1's R30 Electron Stimulated Luminescence™ (ESL™) reflector energy-efficient light bulbs. This is Vu1's first order for its next-generation lighting technology, and the order will be confirmed on completion of external lab performance tests and UL certification, which the Company anticipates receiving in August of this year.

Vu1's R30 ESL™ bulb is a direct replacement for the 65W incandescent flood bulb. It is virtually indistinguishable from the traditional incandescent lamp it replaces and, unlike compact fluorescent lamps, is mercury-free. The Company's ESL™ Lighting Technology uses accelerated electrons to stimulate phosphor to create light, making the surface of the bulb "glow."

"Our goal at Vu1 was to create an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective lighting solution, while also providing the same light quality and functionality of traditional incandescent lamps, and we believe we have done just that," commented R. Gale Sellers, Chief Executive Officer. "Securing this first preliminary order from a leading electrical distributor is a significant milestone for Vu1. Given the growing demand for high-performance, environmentally friendly alternatives by individuals and corporations alike, we are confident we are just at the beginning of a major groundswell of interest in our ESL™ lighting technology; Vu1 is already in advanced talks with a number of other leading regional and national distributors who have expressed interest in the product."

ESL™ Technology creates the same light quality as an incandescent bulb but is more energy-efficient. There is no use of the neurotoxin Mercury (Hg) in the lighting process and the ESL™ Technology fits neatly into classic light bulb shapes similar to those familiar to consumers everywhere. This eliminates the need to bend the technology into an unusual, twisted spiral shape (CFL) or have costly and heavy heat dissipation designed into the bulb housing (LED). To learn more about Vu1's technology, please view the video link (http://vu1corporation.com/ESLupdate/) demonstrating the Company's ESL™ technology in prototype light bulbs representing various shapes and sizes.

Business Update Conference Call
The Company has also scheduled a Business Update conference call, on which Mr. Sellers will be joined by Philip Styles, VP of Manufacturing, to discuss progress in the development of the Company's manufacturing capabilities and the status of UL certification of its new ESL™ lighting technology. The conference call will take place on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PT). The Company will provide dial-in details in a separate press release prior to the conference call.

About Vu1 Corporation
Vu1 Corporation is dedicated to applying its technology to produce energy-efficient, environmentally friendly lighting solutions worldwide. Vu1 is developing a new, energy-efficient light bulb to provide the consumer market with the first affordable, non-toxic light bulb with features consumers are demanding and not receiving from existing products. More information about Vu1 is available at: www.Vu1.com and the Vu1 Blog at http://Vu1corp.blogspot.com

This news release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein. These securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain the necessary funding required for our operations, the future demonstration and commercial availability of our light bulb, timing for submission of our light bulb to certification and certification results, timing for bulb production, manufacturing capability of our facility, future interest of channel partners and distributors, our strategic planning and business development plans, future applications of the technology, the viability, pricing and acceptance of our products in the market. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend" and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control, as well as the risks and other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our other periodic reports as filed from time to time).
For product enquiries please contact info@Vu1.com.


Contact:
Ian Bailey 
+1- 212-359-9587
Michael Polyviou 
+1- 913-789-9978

When it comes to LED replacement T8s, the best policy is to “just say no.”

2010-06-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

A new posting just arrived from Jim Brodrick, the "Guru of All Things LED" for the US Department of Energy. It has to do with all of those linear tube LED products that we saw at LightFair claiming to be headed toward replacing the familiar fluorescent tube. As we expected, this is another example of over-promising and under-delivering.

Comments from Mr. Brodrick include:

"Those LED products are a far cry from matching the performance of fluorescent T8s, it all adds up to a surefire recipe for consumer disappointment.”
"LED T8s have not proven competitive with linear fluorescent lamps. This is not a vague impression “sensed” from the marketplace; it’s a DOE finding based on careful analysis and testing results from DOE’s CALiPER program."
“The average initial bare-lamp light output of the LED replacement products was only about one-third of the average for the fluorescent lamps tested – with the best-performing LED T8 producing only half of the light output of a typical 4′ fluorescent"

http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2010/posting-from-does-jim-brodrick-led-t8-replacement-lamps-just-say-no

Vu1 is continuing R&D on an ESL replacement for the linear fluorescent tube. There are over 1.4B fluorescent tube fixtures in the U.S. alone. Each of these fixtures contains multiple tubes. The idea of applying ESL to these fixtures with an energy efficient, mercury free, incandescent light quality and affordable alternative is very exciting. Probably most exciting would be Vu1 ESL tube's potential to work with ambient light sensors and provide constant dimmabilty in buildings resulting in huge energy savings.

Latest DOE Testing Data on LED Products

2010-05-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

The latest report - May 2010 - has just been issued from "The Department of Energy Commercially Available Light-Emitting Diode Product and Evaluation (CALiPER) Program".

We have continued to question much of the hype regarding LED products. The best source of true performance data comes from the tests being run by the DOE. The latest findings support what we have been hearing from top scientists in lighting. LEDs are having significant issues with size, true efficacy, life and led color degradation beginning very early on. The report does not address one of the biggest issues - cost.

Summary of Results: Round 10 of Product Testing: "Smaller Replacement Lamps" DOE Solid State Lighting

Two out of four lamps tested "Two of the small replacement lamps, the PAR30L (09-96) and the A-lamp (09-98), did not meet ANSI-defined lamp format standards for the geometry of the lamp styles they are meant to replace. The PAR30L lamp was shorter than the required minimal overall lamp length, which could cause the lamp to be recessed inappropriately or not fit in some fixtures. The diameter of the neck of the A-lamp was too large and widening of the neck starts too close to the Edison base, which could result in the lamp not fitting in some fixtures. Respecting form factor standards is important for market acceptance as demonstrated by lessons learned from CFLs.25" (initial market failure).

Due to the large differences in performance between the submitted and purchased units, several attempts were made to purchase additional units for testing. In each case, the manufacturer indicated that the product was temporarily out of stock and would not be available for several months. The CALiPER results in this case raise a number of doubts.
•
The relatively high performance of sample 09-16 submitted by the manufacturer may indicate that it was hand-picked to significantly outperform others and is not representative of the typical performance of lamps in this product line.
•
The relatively poor performance of sample 09-107A as compared to the submitted sample may indicate inconsistently produced units of the product.
•
The apparent malfunctioning in sample 09-107B may indicate product design flaws or quality control issues.
•
The perpetual ‘out of stock’ status of the product may shed doubt on the general reliability of the product and on the longer-term integrity of the product warranty.

A 2010 report on CALiPER long-term testing shows that a wide range of behaviors in lumen depreciation and color maintenance can be observed across SSL luminaires and replacement lamps. None of the products included in CALiPER Round 10 have been tested for reliability at this time.

Due to the range of behaviors and rapid rate of change of SSL technology, buyers and specifiers should be wary of all product life claims. More than half the SSL products subjected to CALiPER long-term testing will not provide 70% of initial light output at 50,000 hours and already exhibit significant color shift within the duration of the CALiPER long-term operation. About one quarter of the SSL products would not pass a simple 1000-hour operational test: they do not last as long as a traditional incandescent lamp.

Refer to http://www.ssl.energy.gov/caliper.html

Vu1 Press Release

2010-05-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Press Release

[For Release on May 20, 2010]

Contact:

Marzena, Dominik

+1- 206-913-2428

mdominik@Vu1.com.

Vu1 Corporation Announces Plans for 2010

Company Demonstrates Progress towards Product Introduction in 2010

(May 20th, 2010) SEATTLE – Vu1 Corporation (OTCBB:VUOC), a provider of non-toxic, energy efficient general illumination light technology, today reported its product status and plans for the remainder of 2010.

"Driven by the hard work and commitment of everyone at Vu1, the company has overcome a number of challenging technical difficulties which delayed our anticipated initial product introduction in 2009. In spite of limited available funding, we have continued to refine our technology and have made significant progress in improving efficacy, reliability, performance and size-reduction while reducing our material costs“ said R. Gale Sellers, Vu1 Chief Executive Officer. Vu1 has continued to be featured as a “ breakthrough new technology to watch” in such publications and blogs as; The New York Times, LEDs Magazine, Residential Lighting, Huffington Post, Popular Science, CNET, Xconomy, Gizmodo and others.

Vu1 is pleased to announce the following accomplishments -

Product Development -

· Arrangements have been made with Underwriters Laboratories™ for the Vu1 ESL R-30 bulb to begin UL certification testing in June 2010.

· Key components of our Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESL™) technology have been refined including the electron source, integrated electronics and luminescent materials.

· Electronics have been miniaturized to support the Vu1 R-30 bulb being a direct replacement for all existing R-30 fixtures and trim kits.

· The company has increased its bulb’s “Power Factor” (efficiency on the grid) to .99 which we believe exceeds all other energy efficient lighting technologies.

· Vu1 has improved the bulb’s efficacy and believes that with sufficient funding it is on target to deliver a 19W, 600 lumen, dimmable R-30 reflector bulb later this year.

· The company anticipates significant improvements in energy-efficiency and bulb life through ongoing research and development.

Sales and Marketing –

· Over 200 independent lighting distributors have expressed interest through our web site to distribute ESL bulbs into a variety of channels including hospitality, municipal buildings, museums, and cruise ships.

· Keen interest in ESL lighting has been expressed by major

U.S.

utility consortiums on the East and West coasts culminating in several meetings and ongoing progress discussions.

· Meetings have been held with several of the largest retailers, electrical distributors and eCommerce lighting resellers in the

and EU.

ESL Competitive Advantage –

· ESL technology will provide the best combination of safety, non-toxicity, incandescent light quality, performance and affordability of any energy efficient lighting technology.

· Vu1 ESL bulbs will be a screw-in retrofit solution for the incandescent bulbs they replace.

· The characteristics of ESL technology will allow Vu1 products to most closely match incandescent light quality when compared spectrally to other energy efficient technologies.

· ESL will swiftly reach the affordability factor CFL’s now offer without having to compromise light quality, instant brightness, dimming or consumer safety.

· In the recessed can market, LEDs suffer constraints due to the high heat environment. ESL will be a superior, cost effective solution for addressing the 800 million recessed can fixtures in the US.

· Vu1 anticipates ESL bulbs will always be significantly less expensive than LED’s while offering superior light quality.

· Vu1 has begun testing ESL technology in other bulb shapes and sizes. The most interesting is in a linear tube configuration that may provide a fully dimmable, energy efficient replacement for the common fluorescent tube.

Key Milestones for 2010 –

With sufficient funding, the company anticipates further progress through the remainder of the year to the point of reaching commercialization of ESL technology in Q4 2010 in the following steps:

· Product - Completion and Certification (June – August 2010)

· Product - Channel Evaluation (August – October 2010)

· Product – Introduction (October – December 2010)

Vu1 recently attended Light Fair 2010 and held meetings with distributors. We were very encouraged to find continuing support for our bulb. The distributors we spoke to reaffirm the need for a non-toxic, affordable, fully dimmable, incandescent light quality replacement for the soon to be banned incandescent light bulb is still needed and the current energy-efficient lighting solutions fall short of consumer desires.

About Vu1 Corporation

Vu1 Corporation (OTCBB: VUOC) is dedicated to applying its technology to produce energy efficient, environmentally-friendly lighting solutions worldwide. Vu1 is developing a new, energy efficient light bulb to provide the consumer market with the first affordable, non-toxic light bulb with features consumers are demanding and not receiving from existing products. More information about Vu1 is available at: www.Vu1.com and the Vu1 Blog at vu1corp.blogspot.com

This news release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein. These securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain the necessary funding required for our operations, the future demonstration and commercial availability of our light bulb, timing for submission of our light bulb to certification and certification results, timing for bulb production, manufacturing capability of our facility, future interest of channel partners and distributors, our strategic planning and business development plans, future applications of the technology, the viability, pricing and acceptance of our products in the market.. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend", “scheduled” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control, as well as the risks and other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our other periodic reports as filed from time to time).

# # #

"solid state lighting providing a perfect opportunity for producing junk, vapor or smoke and mirrors "

2010-05-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

We have received a number of emails about announcements regarding new LED lamp bulbs that are destined to solve all the issues of general illumination lighting - perfect color, great brightness and at what may be an affordable cost.   The bulbs are not available or independent laboratory tested and can't be seen except, in one case, inside a glass-domed display.

While at Light Fair last week we some how missed seeing any of these astonishing breakthrough LED products.   Lest we be seen as ESL-touting, LED naysayers - I thought it was interesting to see what people in the LED industry are saying about the state of LED lighting technology and some of these new "claims".

From "Solid State Lighting" magazine -   May 17, 2010

"Light Fair, the USA's largest annual lighting-focused gathering, is always a good checkpoint for progress in the LED lighting front. There are never any real technological surprises, since progress in this field is fast-paced, but still incremental, as it is in any semiconductor-driven arena. In fact, if anyone is claiming something revolutionary, just plan to smile, nod and find someone who really knows about the technology to help debunk the over-zealous claims. Solid state lighting provides a perfect opportunity for producing junk, vapor or smoke and mirrors (it's important that the two are combined for the most spectacular effect) --"

FYI - we have heard no claims about break-through, high performance LED Reflector Bulbs. All of the announcements have been regarding lamp bulbs.

Light Fair

2010-05-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

The Vu1 CEO, CMO and VP of Manufacturing are all here at Light Fair. Light Fair is for manufacturers that are showing off their new products and lines to potential resellers. We are not into production so it did not make sense for us to go the expense of being an Exhibitor. Instead – we are meeting with EPA representatives, testing labs, strategic distribution partners and industry consultants. Plus getting a firsthand look at all competing technologies.

This year’s show is 95% LED. After you go through the first 10 booths you will find that the remaining 300 are mostly more of the same. Everybody is making essentially the same product – just different cases, some dim better than others, some are for stadiums or parking lots – some for business and homes. After 6 hours of searching I found exactly ONE product (an LED) that I had not seen before. It was a somewhat dim and expensive (as almost all the products were) recessed can product that is using a clever variation on deployment of the LEDs in the lamp. Other than that – not much new. In the recessed can space – there were lots of heavy, expensive LED PAR 35 types of products. High color temps, low lumen output, lots of glare and very directional light distribution. And yes, expensive. CFLs were few and far between. One founder of a sizeable distribution/rep agency commented to me "CFLs are over".

The Direction of Light from EDN

2010-05-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

The link below comes from Electronics Design Strategy News. It gives one of the best descriptions we have seen regarding the challenges facing energy efficient lighting tehnologies. They conservatively and accurately look at the issue of mercury in CFLs and also discuss why -

"It would be a formidable challenge for SSL to replace the venerable incandescent bulb and, in the longer run, the CFL."

The Direction of Light

LEDs and Health Concerns

2010-04-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

A few months ago several US universities and medical schools joined ranks to initiate a study regarding health issues being attributed to LED light. The problems were first recognized from LED exposure from consumer devices such as cellphones, iPods, and TVs. Now Gizmodo and the LA Times have published some of the first articles on one of the heath issues - the reduction in melatonin production due to exposure to LED generated light in the "blue portion of the non-visible spectrum".

It will be interesting - and important - to follow this concern as we move from very low output LEDs in consumer devices to very high output LEDs being promoted for consumer general illumination lighting, automotive and street lights.

Gizmodo - Experts: Kindle Helps You Sleep, iPad Causes Insomnia

LA Times - Reading on iPad before bed can affect sleep habits

Vu1 and Sustainable Practices

2010-04-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

We were prepared to be a presenter at the MIT Enterprise Forum "Sustainability for Start-ups" scheduled for April 29th in Seattle. The Forum has been postponed but I felt it would be beneficial to share the comments we had prepared for this event.

-----------------------

Vu1 was created on the premise that American innovation can provide solutions in sustainable products that can result in products that not only are good for the environment but are superior in everyway to the incumbent technologies that we need to eliminate.

Sustainable products don’t have to be more expensive, slower, bigger, unsafe, or poorer performing than the products they are replacing.

Our goal is to do what other energy efficient technology have failed to do - produce a highly energy efficient “light without compromise” with the warm incandescent glow of the Edison light bulb we have known for 150 years that is non-toxic to the environment (unlike Compact Florescent Light), affordable (unlike LEDs), with all of the basic attributes consumers have come to expect from their lighting. (instant on, dimmable, trash bin disposable, long lasting in a standard shape and size).

Our goal is to do this in a process that hopefully will give Vu1 the best carbon and environmental footprint in the general illumination lighting industry.

To accomplish this we have focused on product design, materials, manufacturing processes, packaging and distribution.

Key environmental initiatives -

· Create a product that is “trash bin” disposable

o Contains no toxic materials

o Can be recycled when and if municipalities have the ability to process clean electronics.

o No mercury (the Achilles Heel of CFL bulbs)

o Exceed very strict ROHS standards regarding hazardous materials.

· A primary material in our product is glass

o We have determined that recycled CRT glass has characteristics that are very complimentary to our technology. We are currently looking into using CRT waste glass as a key raw material

· The predominant high energy usage steps in our process (working with glass components and drying phosphor coatings) is done using natural gas versus electricity.

· We are zealous about our water process. Not only do we comply with all European Union regulations regarding waste water cleanness – we can brag that the water coming out of our plant is cleaner than the municipal water coming in.

· We are committed to the providing environmentally friendly packaging. All Vu1 products will be packaged in recyclable paper. We are currently looking for and doing the financial analysis of acquiring recycled paper to produce our packaging. We find it inexcusable that a majority of “energy efficient” lighting products are sold in plastic clam shell packaging.

· Vu1 products don’t weigh 3 lbs as do some of the better LED products. Vu1 products meet the ANSI standard in size for the products we are producing. The “carbon cost” of transportation for our products should be equal to or less than - comparable CFL products and significantly less the LED products.

Analysis: Energy Efficiency of Domestic Lighting - Halogen, CFL, LED and ESL by Andrew Porter

2010-04-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

Andrew Porter has graciously allow us to post his article on energy efficient lighting on the Vu1 blog. In this article, Andrew has done an extraordinary job of explaining the different lighting technologies (incandescent, halogen, CFL, LED and ESL) and also associated concepts such as Power Factor.

The original post is at Gaia Discovery.

Analysis: Energy Efficiency of Domestic Lighting - Halogen, CFL, LED and ESL

A review of energy consumed by everyday electrical lighting at home by electronics expert Andrew Porter, from halogen to compact fluorescent lamps to the all new electron-stimulated luminescence lamps.

England, 24 January 2010. For many, the domestic lighting system has been based upon incandescent lighting, where this works on the simple principle of passing an electric current through a tungsten filament contained within an inert gas (Argon) filled sealed class envelope, so that the heating effect is sufficient for the tungsten to become white hot.

Incandescent domestic light bulb

Tungsten is used because it can be driven to a high enough temperature, about 2482°C, without melting, whilst emitting white light for a reasonable period of time. However, this means that a considerable portion of the incoming electrical energy is converted into heat rather than light, where the average energy transfer efficiency only provides 10 to 17 Lumens per Watt of electrical energy. This compares, for example, to 60 Lumens per Watt for white Light Emitting Diode light bulb replacements. In addition, the other factor associated with incandescent lighting is that of tungsten being progressively deposited on to the glass encapsulation causing the gradual dulling of the light bulb to more of a yellow tint rather than white. This process is caused by some of the tungsten reaching a temperature sufficiently high that it is driven away from the filament and deposited on to the class producing a thin coating. Then, as the tungsten filament becomes thinner with age, the inevitable happens, when switching on the light bulb one day, the electrical inrush current is sufficient to rupture the filament, and the incandescent lamp fails. Most people are familiar with this process by flicking a light switch, to then witness a short flash of light, a clicking sound from the incandescent lamp as the tungsten filament breaks, and the notably brighter white light emitted from the incandescent light bulb of the same type used the replacement.

Halogen lamps, in comparison, are slightly better, where these work in a somewhat different manner. Instead of using a glass encapsulation, many use quartz. This helps because the quartz encapsulation can tolerate a higher temperature than glass, therefore, it can be situated closer to the tungsten filament. In addition, rather than argon or nitrogen, as used in conventional incandescent lamps, they contain a gas from the halogen group, this group consisting of, for example, iodine or bromine as commonly used in domestic halogen lamps.

A quartz halogen lamp.

Halogen gases have a useful characteristic through combining with tungsten as it evaporates from the filament, helped by the higher running temperature involved, aided with the close proximity of the quartz encapsulation, so that the tungsten is deposited back on to the filament. This means more light, longer life, and better efficiency when compared to a conventional incandescent lamp.

The following two pictures taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halogen_lamp cover the basic encapsulated halogen lamp, and how this can be further encapsulated to produce a unit that is very similar in appearance to a conventional domestic incandescent lamp.

A quartz halogen lamp inside a domestic light bulb enclosure.

Many have noticed that white car headlamps used to start fading towards yellow as they age. This was simply as a result of being basic incandescent filament lamps. When car headlamps changed to halogen lamps, the failure rate reduced significantly, and the light quality was much better with a sharp white colour, and no yellowing with age. With reference to Figure 2, many car headlamps are now very similar in appearance to the quartz halogen lamp shown. As to efficiency, some incandescent lamps were as poor as 5%, that is, 95% of the incoming electrical energy was converted to heat, and even the better halogen lamps only about 9% efficient.

At this stage, there is one advantage that needs to be considered before dismissing the incandescent and/or halogen lamps as being all bad, and that is Power Factor. In an ideal situation, all Alternating Current Loads, as is inevitable with a domestic 230Vac or 115Vac electricity supply, would present a pure electrically resistive load. This means that the alternating electrical produced by the Electricity Generating Station, operating at 50Hz or 60Hz, that is 50 cycles per second or 60 cycles per second, each cycle following a complete 360° path in a sine-wave profile, would have the current and voltage following exactly the same profile with respect to time, thereby reducing the power loss due to having the Current and Voltage perfectly in phase. Any load that does not consist of pure electrical resistance, such as an inductive or capacitive load, means that there is a phase shift between voltage and current, so that the electricity generating station has to generate more electrical power to compensate. The following images should help to explain this principle:

A domestic sinusoidal voltage or current waveform

The waveform shown above represents, in this example, a domestic Power Line Voltage or Current profile, where 'A' represents the Voltage or Current Peak Value, and 'T' represents the Time for one complete cycle. If the Current and Voltage are perfectly in phase, then the two waveforms, identical in shape to that shown above, would rise and fall in exactly the same manner at exactly the same point in time. If shown with the same amplitude graphically, they would perfectly overlap. In the case of the Domestic Electricity Supply, this means that the electrical load is a pure electrically resistive load, and does not contain any reactive components, such as Inductance and/or Capacitance. In this example, the Power Factor is given a numeric value of 1, as the Voltage and Current are following identical profiles with respect to any given point in time.

Phase Shift ϴ caused by a reactive domestic electrical load

This image shows that the Current and Voltage, whilst sharing exactly the same profile in terms of shape, are now shifted in time. This is known as a Phase Shift, where the unit of Phase Shift is Degrees, as per angular displacement, where one full cycle, represented by T in figure 4 indicates 360°. The symbol ϴ represents the magnitude of phase shift in angular degrees.

Assuming that loss free power transmission takes place between the Electricity Generating Station and the domestic electrical load, in this case lighting, and we take the load as being 100W, then with a perfect Power Factor of 1, represented by Figure 1, means that 100W would be needed at the Power Generating Station. However, if the domestic electrical load had a Power Factor of 0.7, a situation caused by our domestic electrical load not being a pure electrically resistive load, a new issue becomes apparent, as follows:

Apparent Power VA = Watts divided by PF

V = Voltage in Volts

A = Electrical Current in Amperes

The Watt is the unit representing true Electrical Power

PF = Power Factor

Apparent Power, in our example, is found as follows:

VA = 100

0.7

VA = 143

This means that while the domestic item may be rated at 100W in terms of the cost charged by the electricity supplier, the actual amount of power needed at the electricity generating station is 143W, where 43W is now wasted power. As to how this can be considered in energy, the following, simple conversion can be made:
1 Watt equals 1 Joule per Second

This means, for example, that a 100W light bulb will convert 100 Joules of electrical energy per second into light and heat energy. In addition, with the previously mentioned Energy Transfer Efficiency, is this case as low as 5% for a basic incandescent light bulb, 95% of the incoming electrical energy is converted to heat, and 5% to light. This means most of the incoming electrical energy is wasted.

Fluorescent Light Bulb Replacements
In my home country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain, much emphasis has been placed upon removing inefficient incandescent light bulbs, while promoting compact fluorescent incandescent replacements as the solution. However, while they may, at first, appear to be a solution, it should be noted that they operate in a different manner, and have their own disadvantages that have not yet been fully recognised.

A typical domestic fluorescent lamp next to a domestic incandescent lamp.

The compact fluorescent lamp replacement, shown on the left, operates by increasing the incoming domestic supply voltage by using a transformer and a small amount of electronic components. The output of this is connected to a number of electrodes, where this causes electrons to shoot off the electrodes into the white coloured fluorescent tube. Inside this tube is mercury vapour or gas, so that when the electrons collide with mercury atoms, it causes the mercury electrons to increase their own energy level. This makes the mercury unstable, so that when the mercury electrons return to their stable level, they emit light in the ultra violent spectrum, therefore, invisible to the human eye. However, this is where the white coloured internal phosphor coating comes into action, as it converts the ultra violet photons into visible white light. It is similar, in some respects, as to how television receivers using cathode ray tubes convert beams of electrons into the visible picture we see on the screen.

The claimed efficiency of fluorescent light bulb replacements is often stated to be five times better than an incandescent light bulb. However, this does not take into consideration the Power Factor problems, as domestic fluorescent light bulb replacements do not have a perfect Power Factor, nor do they have Power Factor Correction. Going back to Power Factor, the following now emerges:

100W incandescent lamp = 20W Fluorescent lamp (Claimed)

Power Factor for 100W incandescent lamp = 1

Power Factor for 20W Fluorescent lamp can be as low as 0.5. True power now required from the electricity generating station becomes 40W

Fluorescent lamp is now only 2.5 times more efficient.

100W incandescent lamp = 66W Halogen lamp

Fluorescent lamp is now only 1.65 times more efficient

The standard fluorescent incandescent lamp replacements being promoted in the United Kingdom of Great Britain have a number of problems including inadequate Power Factor, they contain the toxic metal mercury as a gas, they do not yet have safe disposal arrangements, they cannot be used with dimmer switches, they take time to become fully illuminated, and they do not like frequent switching on and off. They are, in many respects, a marginal improvement in terms of electrical power consumption, while presenting a significant number of other problems including environmental toxicity.

Light Emitting Diodes, LEDs
The first issue is to remove two common misnomers, there is no such thing as a pure white Light Emitting Diode, and the colour emitted by a Light Emitting Diode is defined by the semiconductor material that the Light Emitting Diode is made from, not the colour of the encapsulating cover. You can have completely transparent, colourless encapsulations, and yet the colour of light emitted can be virtually any colour as defined by the semiconductor contained therein.

Originally, red Light Emitting Diodes were produced, where these gave out a pure red light. These were quickly followed by other semiconductor materials to provide orange, yellow, green and even invisible light such as Infra Red. Blue was missing, therefore, one of the primary colours of light was unavailable, consequently no means, at that stage, to create white light from a Light Emitting Diode.

Red, green and blue light emitting diodes

Eventually, with new semiconductor materials, a blue Light Emitting Diode was produced. With red and green Light Emitting Diodes already available, means that the three primary colours of light were now a reality. Consequently, three Light Emitting Diodes were placed into one package, one of each primary colour of light, Red, Green and Blue, to produce white light. However, this required additional electronic control to correctly blend the three colours, as any deviation would cause colour distortion. In addition, the total light output was insufficient for any application other than small areas of illumination such as a car dashboard.

LED Colour	Semiconductor Material
RED	Gallium Arsenide
ORANGE	Gallium Arsenide Phosphide
YELLOW	Aluminium Gallium Indium Phosphide
GREEN	Indium Gallium Arsenide
BLUE	Zinc Selenide
VIOLET	Indium Gallium Nitride
WHITE	Blue Diode with yellow Phosphor

Light emitting diode semiconductor materials.

As blue Light Emitting Diodes continued to evolve, they became cheaper, brighter, and more efficient. Consequently, it became possible to coat blue Light Emitting Diodes with a phosphor, so that the blue light hitting the phosphor would cause the phosphor to react by emitting white light. This discovery meant that the single white Light Emitting Diode became a reality, albeit a blue Light Emitting Diode being the true source of light. In addition, by modifying the phosphor material, a cool white colour, with a hint of blue could be created, or a warm white colour with a hint of yellow. If you like, near daylight white, or a warm white associated with incandescent light bulbs.

Domestic light emitting diode incandescent light bulb replacement

As to efficiency, it is about twice as efficient as a fluorescent lamp, when comparing the latest Light Emitting Diode filament lamp replacements. They run a lot cooler, instant on, instant off, can be dimmed if required, easy to Power Factor correct, do not contain mercury, work with timers, and have a very long service life. However, while they are rapidly evolving, the performance in terms of total light output when compared to an incandescent light bulb is only covered by expensive Light Emitting Diode replacements. Therefore for these to become a practical reality requires further evolutionary steps in terms of light output per Light Emitting Diode incandescent light bulb replacement, and purchase cost.

Electron-Stimulated Luminescence Lighting

Electron-Stimulated Luminescence Lighting is a more recent introduction to the market as a direct, domestic, incandescent light bulb replacement with notably greater energy transfer efficiency, quality of light, service life, and absence of toxic materials. It works on the principle of accelerating electrons provided by the incoming electricity supply, so that the electrons are propelled to hit a phosphor coating inside the glass encapsulation. This phosphor causes white light to be emitted in all directions, just as if it was an incandescent light bulb, in fact, the operating mode is similar to that of a television receiver's cathode ray tube.

In terms of advantages, the following applies:
a) No toxic gases or materials.Domestic electron-stimulated luminescence lamp
b) About 66% less energy than an incandescent light bulb for the same light output. (34W against 100W)
c) Pure white light.
d) Instant on, instant off.
e) Can be dimmed as required with existing dimmer switches.
f) Easy to recycle.
g) Not susceptible to heat.
h) Long life.
i) Costs are comparable to existing fluorescent lamps.
j) Very close to the ideal Power Factor of 1.
h) Can be used with movement detectors so that they can be switched on and off automatically for applications such as security lighting and office lighting (preventing lights from being left operating when they are not needed).

To this extent, they are a direct replacement to existing incandescent lamps without any changes being needed. This compares to fluorescent lamps that require additional electronic circuit elements to work with dimmer switches and Light Emitting Diodes that also require additional electronic circuit elements to work with dimmer switches. In fact, fluorescent lamps and Light Emitting Diodes already need electrical and/or electronic components to work regardless of whether there is an additional need for dimmer switch components or not.

This means that for efficiency, the absence of toxic materials, long service life, quality of light, with absolutely no need to make any changes to existing domestic lighting systems, Electron-Stimulated Luminescent Lighting may prove to be the better option. However, in parallel, Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) are also being produced. Although these have yet to reach their peak evolutionary stage, they may also prove to be another contender for domestic lighting applications.

Conclusions
Domestic incandescent light bulbs have been used for many decades, but they are inefficient as the vast bulk of the incoming electrical energy is converted to heat rather than light. They do, however, present a near perfect electrically resistive load, thereby presenting the minimum stress to the electricity generating station. However, the total power, thus energy demand is very high.

Quartz Halogen lamps are better, give out a bright white light, do not present a power factor issue, but they are still not as efficient as desired in terms of still converting most of the incoming electrical energy into heat.
Compact fluorescent lamps, being promoted as a better replacement, have a number of disadvantages that are often missed. These include the use of the toxic metal mercury, therefore, health and disposal risks. They are also slow in reaching full illumination levels, they can flicker, need additional electrical and electronic components to work with dimmer switches, and present a power factor problem that means that they are not as efficient as claimed. In fact, some people do not like the colour distortion caused by domestic fluorescent lighting.

Light Emitting Diodes, LED, are notably more efficient than incandescent and halogen lights, last significantly longer but, to date, they do not provide the same angular spread of light when compared to incandescent lamps, need additional electrical and electronic components to work, and as white Light Emitting Diodes use a Blue Lighting Emitting Diode with a phosphor coating means that there is a tendency for the white light to be biased towards the blue end of the visible spectrum. However, Organic Light Emitting Diodes, OLED, may resolve these limitations.

For a direct, efficient, pure white light replacement, Electron-Stimulated Luminescence direct incandescent light bulb replacements offer an immediate, direct change without any of the disadvantages associated with incandescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, or present generation Light Emitting Diodes. Consequently, until Light Emitting Diode technology evolves further, it is likely that Electron-Stimulated Luminescence will form the best solution for domestic lighting.

$20 LED "bulb" breakthrough ??

2010-03-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

Bridgelux had a nice write-up yesterday in Green Venture Beat. The article entitled "Light bulbs are so over --- Bridgelux brings LED lights down to $20" leads us to believe that high performing, affordable LED general illumination light has arrived.

Unfortunately, the article fails to to mention that the $20 "light" is not actually a bulb. It is only the LED "module" - that will require one of 15 approved power supplies - that need to fit into one of the approved fixtures that will come eventually from one of 200 fixture manufacturers - primarily targeting retail and commercial applications.

The idea that you can swap out a defective LED is novel. But if a benefit of LED lights is that they last 30,000 - 50,000 hours (using DOE/EPA usage standards that translates into 45 years) then one would wonder why you would need to replace an LED module?

http://green.venturebeat.com/2010/03/24/light-bulbs-are-so-over-bridgelux-brings-led-lights-down-to-20/

Consumer Reports - drawbacks with LED light bulbs

2010-03-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

From Consumer Reports -

http://www.consumersearch.com/light-bulbs/led-light-bulbs

"Reviews say that in the long run, the extremely high cost ($50 to $100) of big screw-in LED light bulbs will pay for itself in savings on electricity. However, we were unable to find any compelling evidence that the rated life holds true for every bulb."

"Owners say they're dimmer than expected, even when used in a light fixture that takes advantage of their directional beam (usually a 60- to 100-degree angle). Quite a few owners find the light too cold and bluish. A few LED light bulbs are designed to cast light in all directions, to be used in a regular table lamp, but they don't put out enough lumens to make this realistic except for dim "atmospheric" background lighting."

"The buzz on dimmable CFL light bulb"

2010-03-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

More and more consumers will discover that CFL bulbs are not going to be a viable solution in applications where dimming is desired.

Even CFL bulbs that are "dimmable" are:

Only partial dimmable - usually they cut off once they reach 70-80% dimmed.
They "cool" instead of "warm" when dimmed. This means their color temperature moves to a blue/white light versus the orange/red shifts that we get (and expect) from an incandescent bulb
Only dim once fully up to brightness - often taking up to two minutes.
Will not come back on at the pre-dimmed level once they have been turned off. You have to start the entire process - turn on, warm up, dim down process - each time you use the bulb
Require that all bulbs on the circuit be identical (dimmable, same wattage, same manufacturer).
Often cause the dimmer to buzz

From the Seattle Times:

"We have looked at around 20 different brands and although some of them get close, the science is not yet there," McLellan said. "We do hear of some success, however, usually with high-quality, brand-name bulbs and dimmer switches." Sometimes it's a matter of finding which brand of bulbs works with specific dimmer switches. You may need to change the dimmer."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2008909666_zhom23fixit.html

EPA CFL Cleanup Guidelines

2010-03-07T23:41:00.000-08:00

From the US Environmental Protection Agency

Cleanup and Disposal Guidelines for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room

• Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.

• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.

• Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

• Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.

• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.

• Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.

• Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug

• Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.

• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.

• If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.

• Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials

• If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.

• If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

• Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.

• Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

• The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming. Leave the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

CFLs versus the Generator

2010-02-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

Shortly, we will be talking more about ESL technology and the concept of ESL’s "high power factor". Power factor is a measurement of how efficient a device is to "the grid". CFL bulbs are quite energy efficient in regards to reduction in wattage, however, most CFL bulbs are very inefficient in the way they utilize power coming from the electric utility. Most CFL bulbs have a power factor that is .5 to .7. That means a 15W CFL will actually draw around 30 volt-amperes (VA). 1 VA equals 1 watt. The power company must provide the total load in VA not watts. This means that each CFL uses up to double its rated power in the regard to what the utility must deliver to your home. Commercial businesses have power factor included in their utility fees. Residential customers have not had to pay this yet. They will with the installation of smart meters. Also, just because you don't have to pay for this inefficiency it doesn't mean some non-renewable fuel isn't being used up to cover the voltage and current distribution losses caused by the poor power factor of CFL bulbs.

There was a nice article written by EDN News on the impact of CFLs and poor power factor.

http://www.edn.com/blog/1470000147/post/450043045.html

In the COMMENTS of this article was a very entertaining YouTube video. It is a a “non-scientific” demonstration of how 540 watts of CFL bulbs draw almost twice the power as a 575 watt incandescent theater lamp and end up choking a 850 watt generator.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeCqreRMzKM

Enjoy

Output of LEDs was overrated up to 300%

2010-02-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

From; http://www.ledguide.com/blog/2010/01/ledguide-com-sheds-light-on-led-bulbs/

LED bulbs often overrated

Independent research by the Dutch Metrology Institute has revealed that many LED bulbs do not meet the claims. After measuring the actual light output of the LED lamps, and their supposedly equivalent incandescent counterpart, it was found that the output of the LEDs was overrated up to 300%. Such exaggerated performance of LED light bulbs will lead to unsatisfied customers, and will eventually harm the reputation of solid-state lighting.

Latest Video Update Posted - Shows ESL in Various Bulb Types

2010-01-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

We have just posted the latest "ESL Update". It can be viewed on the Vu1 website.

ESL Update #2

In the video, Vu1's ESL technology is shown in operating prototypes of various bulb shapes including the classic A-type (a typical lamp bulb) and also in relector bulb shapes used in the European Union. Progress is being made in creating an ESL replacement product for the typical fluorescent tube.

Yet another CFL characteristic

2009-12-28T16:45:00.000-08:00

We have addressed the issue of the toxicity of "Mercury Bulbs" (CFLs) in several posts. In meetings with many Electric utilities it was acknowledged that the CFL is considered a stop-gap solution until a better technology is available. In an "off the record" phone call with an EPA official we were told that CFLs were resulting in a "pending environmental disaster". Yes, we wrote it down and date and time stamped it.

Over the last few months Vu1 has been contacted by two major museums. One is a well known natural history museum and the other is a museum of art in a large U.S. city. One contact was from a Lighting Director and the other from the Associate Curator. Both expressed great interest in Vu1's ESL lighting as an "accurate and high quality" and "safe" lighting for exhibits and artwork. The museum of art brought to our attention the ultraviolet (UV) generated by CFL bulbs and their damaging effect on artwork. The museum cannot use CFLs due to the UV risk and they said they hated the light quality of LED bulbs. They are being mandated to install energy efficient lighting but feel they have no options with existing technologies.

We are hoping to be able to solve this dilemma for museums with the release of our first ESL reflector bulbs; in the meantime we started looking into the issue of UV. There are number of articles that have been written on the health impacts of CFLs for people that are UV sensitive. CFL lights should be recognized as “a potential risk factor in the aggravation of existing light-sensitive symptoms in some patients with diseases such as lupus, porphyrias, genophotodermatoses, actinic prurigo, chronic actinic dermatitis and solar urticaria”. European Commission – Directorate – General for Health and Consumers

Also interesting is the impact of UV light on plastics. Unfortunately, many light fixtures and lamp shades are made of - or incorporate- plastics. UV has a tendency to attack plastic. There is an excellent article entitled “UV Properties of Plastics: Transmission & Resistance” written by Zeus Industrial Products. This article highlights how -

“All types of UV can cause a photochemical effect within the polymer structure, which can be either a benefit or lead to degradation of some sort to the material. Note that compared to our skin, the higher energy UVC is more likely to affect plastics. The main visible effects are a chalky appearance and a color shift on the surface of the material, and the component surface becomes brittle.”

The result can be as pictured below. The lamp shade in this picture was a premium priced shade that had been enclosing a CFL bulb for 24 months. The plastic liner of the shade became discolored, brittle and then essentially shattered. Stay tuned for many more damaged fixtures and lamp shades as the use of CFLs become more common.

Lastly, we were at a friend’s home on Christmas Eve. Their 8 year old came running into the kitchen exclaiming that “something is burning and smoking by the Christmas tree”. We all ran into the room and were taken aback to find that the burning and smoking was coming from a spiral CFL bulb that had just died a painful death in the table lamp next to the Christmas tree.

Vu1 Featured

2009-12-09T18:13:00.000-08:00

We just received a note that Vu1 is featured in the newly released book "Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties" by Libuse Binder.

Ten Ways is an inspiring collection of new ideas, resources and innovative twists that help twenty somethings tackle today’s toughest issues and find their inner activist.

Check out Libuse’s website and Facebook fanpage. She can be reached at tenways.libuse@gmail.com

Find Ten Ways on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Ways-Change-World-Your-Twenties/dp/1402221096/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258152644&sr=8-1

Or at Barnes and Noble

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ten-Ways-to-Change-the-World-in-Your-Twenties/Libuse-Binder/e/9781402221095/?itm=1&USRI=Ten+Ways+to+Change+the+World+in+Your+Twenties

About the Author:

Libuse Binder’s work has appeared in Earth911, Weekly Way, Fit Yoga, and Worldchanging. Formerly in film production in Los Angeles and a middle school English teacher in New York, she is now focused on energizing the newest generation of adults for a life of engagement in the social and environmental issues that matter most.

Her passions include the environment, sustainable living, volunteerism, public policy, and social networking technology.

Libuse currently lives in Seattle with her husband, where they enjoy exploring the natural beauty that surrounds them.

Praise:

“What really distinguishes Ten Ways is how Binder presents real world cases of young people creating positive change. These aren’t just ideas—they’re success stories.”

—Ben Jervey, environmental journalist

“Everywhere I go around the planet, I find young people, fresh from college, leading the new green movement. With savvy and heart, they’re making a real difference—and as this book shows, you can too!”

—Bill McKibben, 350.org

“Libuse Binder has a heart as big as the world. Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties is imperative reading for young people committed to helping the planet, and one another, toward a more enlightened future. Read this book!”

—Mark Matousek, author of When You’re Falling, Dive and Ethical Wisdom: What Makes Us Good?

“Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties won’t only teach you how to change the world, it will get you exhilarated about doing so. Libuse Binder is a passionate advocate and activist, and she writes in fun, accessible prose that’s never preachy, that speaks to any generation—whether you’re in your 20s or your 80s—about how to live mindfully, and have a blast while doing so.”

—Melissa Kirsch, author of The Girl’s Guide to Absolutely Everything

“Having a positive impact doesn’t have to be complicated, but sometimes the biggest obstacle is knowing where—and how—to start. Ten Ways is a great resource to help people who are just starting out know how to start making a difference.”

—Meg Busse, director, Nonprofit Transitions Program at Idealist.org.

Vu1 Releases Updated Video of ESL™ Lighting Technology

2009-12-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

Vu1 Releases Updated Video of ESL™ Lighting Technology

Online documentary demonstrates company’s technology moving from lab bench to socket

December 7, 2009 SEATTLE – Vu1 Corporation (OTCBB: VUOC) today posted an updated documentary in which the company’s Electron Stimulated Luminescence™ (ESL™) lighting technology is shown in a self-contained model of a screw-in bulb for the first time. The three minute video features an updated demonstration of ESL with all the electronics contained inside the light bulb which screws into any standard Edisonian style light socket. This demonstration is an important milestone as the company continues down the path to commercialize its first application of ESL, a fully functional replacement for existing “R-30” reflector bulbs. The video update is now available for public viewing at: http://www.vu1.com/ESLupdate.

“Demonstrating our technology’s ability to function as a stand-alone bulb is an important step as we move into the next key phase - miniaturization of the electronics in preparation for pilot production,” said R. Gale Sellers, CEO of Vu1. “We are now focused on transitioning our initial bulb design toward a market-ready product so consumers don’t have to compromise on safety, energy efficiency or light quality when choosing their light bulbs.”

Vu1’s ESL is the cornerstone to the company’s development of the next generation of energy efficient lighting technology. As governments around the world begin to mandate the use of energy efficient light bulbs consumers are faced with few good alternatives due to the environmental hazards of mercury, limited features, price concerns and poor light quality associated with other lighting sources such as Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) or Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

ESL will offer the full features of incandescent lights, such as the high light quality and color demanded by consumers, instant on, and true dimability, all in an attractive bulb design but without the use of dangerous mercury. Vu1 plans to focus initially on the R-30 reflector bulb market and, assuming adequate funding the company will target reaching the market in the second half of 2010.

Vu1 has recently applied for a patent utilizing ESL technology in a linear fluorescent tube shape, the most common lighting in commercial buildings. Currently there are more than 1.5 billion fluorescent tube fixtures in the United States alone. The company has recently begun work on an affordable, incandescent light quality, dimmable, mercury free replacement for the common fluorescent tube.

More information on the Vu1 and energy efficient ESL lighting can be found on the company’s blog at: http://vu1corp.blogspot.com.

About Vu1 Corporation

Vu1 Corporation (OTCBB: VUOC) is dedicated to applying its technology to produce energy efficient, environmentally-friendly lighting solutions worldwide. Vu1 is developing a new, energy efficient light bulb to provide the consumer market with the first affordable, non-toxic light bulb with features consumers are demanding and not receiving from existing products. More information about Vu1 is available at: http://www.vu1.com/.

This news release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein. These securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the future commercial availability of our light bulb, our strategic planning and business development plans and the viability, pricing and acceptance of our products in the market. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend", “scheduled” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control. These risks include, but are not limited to, our ability to raise capital to fund ongoing development and operations, completing our manufacturing capability, the price and availability of raw materials for manufacturing, timing and results of product development and certification of our product, unanticipated costs and delays in product development and manufacturing, our ability to hire and retain key management and technical personnel, interest of channel partners, competitive factors, and our ability to manage growth, as well as the risks and other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and our other periodic reports as filed from time to time).

CFL Bulbs "consumers were being misled by the bulbs' packaging"

2009-11-20T09:37:00.000-08:00

Now that the ban on incandescent light bulbs has gone into effect in the UK - it is being discovered that CFL bulbs are a poor lighting alternative.

From the BBC and Fox News -

Study Casts Dim Light on Energy-Efficient Bulbs

They're billed as energy-efficient, but compact fluorescent bulbs are getting a dim review in a new study. The study, published in Engineering and Technology magazine, shows the energy-efficient light bulbs lose on average 22 percent of their brightness over their lifetime, the BBC reports.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,575858,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8367933.stm

Wait until the true environmental cost of a "green" technology that requires Mercury to work starts piling up.

CFL Analysis Summary - Actual Savings

2009-11-12T18:29:00.000-08:00

We were just advised of a very informative site discussing the many issues with CFL lights - at the GreenerLights Blog. There is excellent information on actual performance, safety and power factor (actual delivered energy savings to The Grid).

CFL Analysis Summary - Actual Savings

With all the factors below added together, it should be more than obvious that CFLs
a) don't save as much energy as claimed;
b) don't give the same quality light as incandescent and halogen lamps;
c) cannot be used in any light fitting (luminaires); and
d) are not as environmentally friendly and safe as previously assumed.

http://greenerlights.blogspot.com/2009/03/3m-cfl-analysis-summary-actual-savings.html

" Paying a premium for new technology, but $70 for one bulb?"

2009-11-06T14:27:00.000-08:00

From the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Color is still a work in progress. LED lights can also have that commercial cool blue tint and other less desirable hues of green or pink, depending on the manufacturer.
LEDs are more directional, which makes them good for task and spot lighting, but not as general light in a table lamp or ceiling fixture.
It will also be years before the common LED bulb will cost $20 to $25 instead of $60 or $70.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/yourmoney/68671562.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUsX

Please return the LED bulb to your nearest Costco location

2009-11-03T17:03:00.000-08:00

A few months ago our phones began ringing off the hook with friends and acquaintances telling us about the inexpensive LED flood lights that they had seen at Costco. Many expressed great concern that these would prove the viability of affordable, well performing LEDs aggressively coming to market. Based on the price point and the description of the LEDs (no heat sinking) we responded that these would likely be very poor performers both in light quality and life. However, I went down to my local Costco to purchase one for our competitive products collection. I first took it home and when I put it into a recessed can in the kitchen - my wife politely told me to get it out of our house. It had terrible glare, produced a color of light similar to LED headlights and was made of all plastic with no heat sinking. On Friday I received a letter from Costco (attached) offering a refund since it appears these LED bulbs are not performing to required standards. We predict this will the first of many of these types of “recalls” as LED lights stumble onto the market and start to fail.

Comparative Study on the Thermal Performance of LEDs and Fluorescent Lamps

2009-10-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

A study on the issues facing LED lighting in general illumination lighting has been published in "IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics - Vol. 24 No. 7". Authored by in part by Dr. Ron Hui - IEEE Distinguished Lecturer PELS. This study states that despite claims of high efficacy, LED output performance is only true at low junction temperatures and not sustainable at high temperatures (which is the normal operating environment for many general illumination lighting applications). The study refers to the need to identify the “hidden issues” associated with LED lighting. A surprising number in this study was that while linear fluorescent tubes dissipate between 73%-77% of total lamp power as heat - LEDs dissipate 87%-90% of input power as heat.

This supports what we have been hearing from the LED industry - that LEDs will only be a viable solution in general illumination lighting when consumers and businesses are willing to install new LED specific lighting fixtures.

This report can be acquired at:

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?isnumber=5075737&arnumber=5175610&count=20&index=15

A Simple Method for Comparative Study on the Thermal Performance of LEDs and Fluorescent Lamps
Yaxiao Qin Deyan Lin Hui, S.Y.
Dept. of Electron. Eng., City Univ. (CityU) of Hong Kong, Kowloon, China;
This paper appears in: Power Electronics, IEEE Transactions on
Publication Date: July 2009
Volume: 24, Issue: 7
On page(s): 1811-1818
ISSN: 0885-8993
INSPEC Accession Number: 10812269
Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/TPEL.2009.2017021
Current Version Published: 2009-07-28

Abstract

A simple method is proposed to measure the heat dissipation of LEDs and fluorescent lamps in an open system that allows light energy to escape. Based on this method, a comparative study on the thermal and luminous performance of high-brightness LEDs and fluorescent lamps is presented. At rated power, T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps generate about 73%-77% of their total power as heat, while three types of high-brightness LEDs dissipate about 87%-90% of input power as heat. Heat dissipation is an important factor particularly for air-conditioned buildings when overall energy efficiency is considered. T5 fluorescent lamps perform better than some existing LEDs in terms of luminous efficacy and heat generation in this study.

Proposed Product Specifications

2009-10-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

We have had many requests regarding the proposed performance of the Vu1 ESL R-30 bulb. The following specifications are those that we have established with Vu1’s engineering and manufacturing groups for our first product. Some of these specifications have already been met. Final published performance to these specification will come from independent lab testing, formal certification reporting and through product safety testing that will be conducted by groups such as UL and ETL. These are the TARGET specifications that Vu1 is currently working toward.

Vu1 ESL R-30 Reflector Bulb

Product Description

Vu1's first consumer product will be a reflector bulb in the R-30 shape. The R-30 is the predominant bulb utilized in recessed can lighting applications. R lamps designed for use in places such as showroom floors, museums and for general overhead lighting in homes where a smooth distribution of light with a soft-edged beam is desired.

Product Specification (proposed)

Functionality

The Vu1 R-30 will be a direct replacement for any R-30 incandescent reflector bulb. In shape, size, and performance (illumination, light color, dimablity, instant on) the Vu1 ESL R-30 will be indistinguishable from an incandescent R-30.

Performance

Nominal Wattage		=<20 W
Lumens output		=>600 lm
Color Temperature (CCT)		2700-2850K
Color Rendering Index (CRI)		>90
Power Factor		>90
Rated Life		=> 6000 hours
Instant on		=< 250 ms (at full power or any pre- dimmed level)
Fully dimmable		Constant dimability to 20%
Beam Angle		60 degrees
Glare		Minimal, similar to frosted incandescent R30
Voltage		120VAC

Form Factor / Compatibility

Shape		Compatible with all existing R30 fixtures
In fixture		Indistinguishable from incandescent R30
Lamp finish		White face
Maximum Overall Length		5.75 inches
Diameter		3.75 inches
Base		E26 screw base and GU24 pin base
Weight		=< 12 ounces
Heat tolerance		Designed for ventilated and non-ventilated recessed can fixtures
Wet environment		Indoor or dry environment only
Cold environment		Performance unaffected by temperature

Environmental and Safety

Materials		Non-toxic case, glass, electronics, phosphor
Emissions		No X-ray, No UV
Breakage risk		All materials contained by safety coating
EFI		Meets FCC regulations
Heat generation		>50% less than 65W incandescent R30

Vu1 Bulbs Burn Down Trailer Park :-)

2009-10-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

In the category of "we couldn't make this stuff up" - we were just forwarded a post from an investor message board that claims Vu1 Bulbs are responsible for burning down a trailer park!! The folks around Vu1's HQ have had great fun passing this one around. We just sent it over to our team in the Czech Republic advising them that we obviously need to tighten up our safety testing. We will have to go back to our contacts at UL and make sure that when we start the certification process they will be specifically testing for trailer fixtures to make sure this never happens again!!

btw- we also have heard that our energy efficient, mercury free, Earth Saving Lights (ESL) may be responsible for Global Warming. Our apologies to the polar bears that called this in.

Vu1 in the News

2009-10-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Vu1 and ESL was mentioned into today's Huffington Post.

"There are a lot of guides out there to help you choose bulbs with the least amount of mercury and the most flattering light -- the Environmental Working Group's Green Lighting Guide is a helpful starting point. But I'll be honest: I'm really looking forward to when LEDs (light-emitting diodes), which are even more efficient than CFLs and arguably more flattering, start to come down in price. There's also been some buzz about the new ESL (electron stimulated luminescence) bulb from Seattle manufacturer Vu1 that is currently in development -- no mercury, 65 to 70 percent less energy than incandescents, and virtually indistinguishable from the real deal."

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-grayson/eco-etiquette-help-compac_b_303908.html

How About a Level Playing Field to Encourage Innovation?

2009-09-25T19:15:00.000-07:00

Several people contacted us today after seeing the article in the New York Times on the U.S. government sponsored $15M “L Prize” for innovation in energy efficient lighting. Even more compelling than the cash award will be the “federal procurement” and “promotion” benefits that will be offered to the winner. Unfortunately, the Department of Energy stacked the deck for the “Bright Lighting Competition” (L Prize) when they specified that SSL (LED) technology is the ONLY technology eligible to participate.

It is truly unfortunate that the DOE has bet on what will turn out to be in many applications a losing horse while excluding even the possibility that there are other technologies on the horizon that can produce energy efficient, high quality light. Vu1 Corporation has raised this issue with the Senators and Congressional Representatives from Washington State, as well as key members of various committees involved in energy policy.

Vu1 strongly contends that our government should encourage open innovation and not limit American ingenuity by determining who can play and who can’t.

All we want is a level playing field. If we can get that, we hope to bring to that field a “Light without compromise”.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/technology/25bulb.html?_r=2&hp

New LED R30 Product

2009-09-24T17:51:00.001-07:00

Last night while shopping the light products aisle of one of the largest DIY stores I saw that they had started carrying a complete line of brand-name LED lighting products. I just had to purchase the R30 LED - "Ideal for Recessed Lighting" model. So here is my complete biased assessment of the "best of breed" LED product from perhaps the world's largest lighting manufacturer.

Specifications:

• Instant on
• Mercury Free
• Rugged design (yes, seeing that it weighs in at ¾ of a lb due to
all of the cast aluminum heat sinking)
• Same size and shape as regular bulbs (No, it is actually 3.25 inches tall or more than 2 inches shorter than a standard incandescent R30. I could barely fit it into the can fixtures in my kitchen - it was too short. And my wife’s first impression was “it looks like a shower head”.)
• Quiet (hope so. It's a light bulb not a entertainment center)
• Emits virtually no heat
• Color Rendering Index of 85 (equals “poor”)
• Color temperature not specified but appears to be 4000-5000K (blue white). The color made the kitchen counter look like a morgue table.
• Replaces 50 Watt halogen Par30 bulb (No not quite, not with a lumen output of only 418 lumens)
• Very directional, very strong glare
• 11 watts
• 25,000 hours life
• And probably the most surprising spec an energy efficacy of only 38 lumens per watt - Less than most CFL bulbs. What happened to the 100+ lm/w we have heard touted over and over again from the super efficient new LED bulbs?
• And last but not least $49.97

The package says it will save you $97 in electrical costs if you keep it for 17 years (4 hours per day, 25,000 hours). Of course after you deduct the $50 purchare price you will have a "return on your investment" of over $2.47 per year! Oh yes, sorry - it can't be used with a dimmer

Vu1 In The News

2009-09-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

Vu1 is showing up in a number of articles. Enjoy -

Engadget
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/vu1-corporation-sees-bright-future-for-esl-light-bulbs/

Technology Magazine News
http://www.techmagnews.com/vu1-corporation-sees-bright-future-for-esl-light-bulbs.html

New Energy and Fuel
http://newenergyandfuel.com/http:/newenergyandfuel/com/2009/09/21/a-great-new-light-bulb/

HardwareAnalysis.com
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/74931/

GreenBang
http://www.greenbang.com/attention-cfl-haters-vu1-says-its-developed-a-better-bulb_11700.html

ImpactLab
http://www.impactlab.com/2009/09/17/future-of-light-bulbs-may-be-esls/

Gizmologia (Spanish)
http://gizmologia.com/2009/09/bombillas-els-mejores-que-las-leds-y-cflsia

TechDare
http://www.techdare.com/2009/09/17/vu1-corporation-sees-bright-future-for-esl-light-bulbs/

JumpIntoTomorrow.com
http://blog.jumpintotomorrow.com/?p=2427

Popular Science
http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-09/better-energy-efficient-light-bulb

JimOnLight
http://www.jimonlight.com/2009/09/14/vu1-documentary-electron-stimulated-luminescence/

Vu1 Documentary Launch and Answer to Questions

2009-09-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

The Vu1 ESL documentary was released on Monday. It can be viewed at

http://www.vu1.com/ESLupdate

The documentary has propagated to a number of Clean Tech blogs that have resulted in a lot of great commentary and a number of questions regarding the company and the technology. Below I will try and answer some of the more popular questions.

Vu1 has established a formal set of specifications for our first product (an R-30 reflector bulb replacement). We are currently building our prototypes to meet these specifications. The final performance of our products will be independent laboratory certified and UL, ETL certified. Our intent is to pursue Energy Star certification, although currently the EPA only provides certification criteria for CFL and LED technologies. If necessary, we plan to obtain Energy Star certification by meeting or exceeding CFL standards.

The following are our target specifications (many of these are already being achieved in our prototype products) –

Q: What is the energy efficiency?
A: Similar to a R30 CFL bulb. Approximately 18-19W for a 65W incandescent replacement.

Q: What is the rated life?
A: 6000 hours in our first products

Q: Do ESL bulbs emit X-rays?
A: No harmful or disruptive emissions of any sort (x-ray, EMI, UV, etc.) are emitted by an ESL bulb.

Q: Will ESL bulbs contain any toxic or harmful materials (mercury, leaded glass, etc.)
A: No. ESL bulbs will be certified "trash bin disposable". In municipalities that have the ability to recycle electronic components - ESL bulbs will be certified "recyclable".

Q: What is the color of the light generated by an ESL bulb?
A: ESL color temperature is tuned in Vu1’s proprietary phosphors. Initially, we will tune the color to precisely match an incandescent bulb.

Q: Isn’t ESL just a TV tube?
A: ESL utilizes many of the same principles as a CRT or TV but with a number of critical differences. In ESL, electrons are uniformly distributed versus being shot at a screen in a scanning beam. ESL utilizes proprietary phosphors that are designed to turn on, burn bright, and last for very long life times. Click on the link below and look into the back of a TV or CRT. See what it required to allow them to function. Now look at the size, shape and weight of and ESL bulb. Vu1 has created an inexpensive, minaturized, highly energy efficient electron source and power technology that allow light bulbs to be built affordably and in high volumes.

http://books.google.com/books?id=OsXBV6TX-CsC&pg=PA138&lpg=PA138&dq=picture+inside+a+crt&source=bl&ots=XPa2Yv5chu&sig=licFLUQLu4pDlSoc4coa5x9DYC0&hl=en&ei=P7qySvGvD9Gwtge-i-DADg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6#v=onepage&q=picture%20inside%20a%20crt&f=false

Q: Why do we need another lighting technology? We know the problems that exist with CFLs - but LEDs will solve all of those problems.
A: We continue to address this issue at every opportunity. LED technology will be very successful in automotive, street lighting, retail, and residential/commercial (when and if new LED-friendly fixtures are installed). LEDs will never be a viable, affordable retrofit solution in heat sensitive installations, such as recessed can lights.

More to follow ……

DIY Retailer comments on Energy Efficient Bulbs on SkyNews

2009-09-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

“Everyone wants to be more environmentally friendly, but in some cases the low enery bulbs are just not suitable and until there is a viable alternative the opinion I am getting is that they should not yet be banned, until such time that there is a better quality alternative.”

Chris Abbott
Abbotts DIY
East Devons Largest Independent DIY and Household Store

Professor Heinz Wolff, founder of the Brunel Institute for Bioengineering, was also on the show and he added that a better quality of low energy light bulb using LED technology was in the pipeline — but these are still several years from hitting the shop floor.

http://www.dartmouth-today.co.uk/tn/news.cfm?id=35077

"light at the end of the tunnel"

2009-09-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

Comments from a Vu1 friend in the UK -

" From my understanding VU1 appears to have a product that can really make a difference to the planet. For my children and my grandchildren, I want a light bulb that is safe to use, economic to run and a good clear light. A light I can dim when I put my young daughter to bed. A light for the 21st Century. The bulbs I use today were first introduced over 100 years ago. If we compared this to the motor industry we would still be driving around in model T Fords. At last a Company appears to have set their sights on a product that goes a long way to answering all the questions. I would imagine it has taken blood, sweat and a few tears to get there for I do not know any other Company who has a true answer to the question at this time.

Our Governments' are culpable in having allowed the new low energy lights to be introduced, bringing with them health risks, poor light and the inability to meet the European Unions own agenda that light bulbs need to be able to be dimmed, so they come on when you walk into an office and go off when you leave.

The world has become Health and Safety conscious whilst the bureaucrats allow low energy bulbs to be sold. Even the buying public have become wise to the situation and are showing their dissaproval by stocking up on the original type of bulb our great great grandparents used.

VU1 if you can provide that true light at the end of the tunnel then the world will be most grateful."

Peter Edwards
England

From Sunday's London Daily Telegraph -

"The Sunday Telegraph has conducted its own tests on level of illuminance provided by light bulbs from different manufacturers to see whether their claims stand up to scrutiny.

We found that under normal household conditions, using a single lamp to light a room, an 11W low-energy CFL produced only 58 per cent of the illumination of an "equivalent" 60W bulb – even after a 10-minute "warm-up".

On a website intended to answer consumers' questions about the switch to energy saving bulbs, the European Commission states: "Currently, exaggerated claims are often made on the packaging about the light output of compact fluorescent lamps."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/6110547/Energy-saving-light-bulbs-offer-dim-future.html

CFLs "Whoever has forced us to use these is a bit of a Dimwit."

2009-09-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

From NBC Nightly News - Sept 2

Bulb recall sparks protest in Europe

Europe is switching over to energy-efficient bulbs, but not everyone is feeling the glow.
NBC's Dawna Friesen reports.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32664769#32664769

WSJ - Compact fluorescents don't produce good quality light

2009-08-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

And from the Wall Street Journal -

"How environmental will it be for frustrated homeowners to remove and dispose of thousands of dimmers? What's more, CFLs work best in light fixtures designed for CFLs, and may not fit, provide desired service life, or distribute light in the same pleasing pattern as incandescents. How environmental will it be for homeowners to tear out and install new light fixtures?

Will some energy be saved? Probably. The problem is this benefit will be more than offset by rampant dissatisfaction with lighting. We are not talking about giving up a small luxury for the greater good. We are talking about compromising light."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203706604574377171050647330.html?mod=rss_opinion_main

It appears that there would be interest in a "Light without compromise"TM.

NEC Lighting to Release 60W-equivalent LED Light Bulbs

2009-08-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

We have been purchasing and evaluating LED A-type (meaning "table lamp") bulbs as they become available.

Late last year, we acquired for our marketing collection a GeoBulb - the first true A-type to come to market. It has a poor light quality, the leds in the array are very visible and hurt your eyes if you look directly at them. The price was $119.95 plus $10.99 in s/h. It was touted, and still is, as a "60 Watt equivalent". In the "warm white" color temperature (the closest to an incandescent bulb) the GeoBulb puts out 260 lumens of light. Try to find a 60W incandescent bulb that produces less than 500 lumens. Most 60W incandescant A-bulbs are producing almost 700 lumens. So, the "60 Watt GeoBulb equivalent" produces approximately 1/3 the illumination.

Last week we added the new Philips AmbientLED A19 to our collection. Personally, I think it looks pretty good. Some of my colleagues disagree. The best color temperature available is 3100K. CRI of 85. The LEDs are not visible through the diffuser. Lots of aluminum heat sinking (looks almost identical to the NEC bulb in the attached article). We paid $50 + $8.70 s/h. Lumen output? 155 lumens or approximately the light output of a 15W refrigerator bulb.

Now NEC is entering the race. Once again, coming to market as a "60 Watt equivalent" with a bulb that generates 270 lumens (or 1/3 the illumination). Estimated price - $42.

By the way - none of the LED A-Type bulbs we have purchased can be dimmed.

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090825/174535/

Vu1 is working to produce a true "equivalent" for existing 65W incandescent reflector bulbs that generate 600-650 lumens. Our target "illumination" is 600-650 lumens - delivered to the floor, the wall, the counter-top with a visually equivalent illumination to the bulbs we hope to replace. We plan to initially price the Vu1 ESL R-30 bulb similar to the current price of dimmable reflector CFL bulbs.

LEDs - square pegs in round holes?

2009-08-26T22:17:00.000-07:00

From the New York Times - Green Inc.

"The chief technology officer for Lunera Lighting, an LED start-up company, warns that trying to put new, energy-efficient lighting technologies into sockets intended for incandescents is akin to putting a square peg into a round hole. When LEDs are exposed to high heat, they’re going to experience color shifts, you’re going to get reduced output from these fixtures and you’re going to get disappointingly short lifetimes."

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/q-a-for-new-bulbs-new-sockets/

In its first implementation (R-30 reflector bulbs), Vu1's ESL technology is being designed specifically for existing recessed can fixtures. We don't expect that 800 million recessed can fixtures will be replaced anytime soon.

Life-cycle study examines total energy used in LEDs, CFLs, and incandescents

2009-08-25T16:09:00.000-07:00

From EDN magazine - an article that starts to look at the full environmental impact of conventional and energy efficient lighting technologies.

We have some early estimates on the cradle-to-grave environmental footprint that can be anticipated for Vu1's ESL technology. We believe that this is one more critical attribute that should not be compromised while providing energy efficient lighting. Stay tuned to see how ESL will compare to CFL and LED.

http://www.edn.com/blog/1470000147/post/260047826.html?nid=2432&rid=8548161

ESL Starts Fires????

2009-08-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

One of the silliest things I've seen recently are some emails being sent to me that originated from message boards that claim "ESL technology starts fires after 4+ hours of continuous use".

I will make sure and advise our manufacturing plant of this phenomenon since the plant has been burning hundreds of prototypes of our ESL technology for months. I can also advise that in the Marketing Department (where we have had prototype ESL units burning on and off for over 12 months now) the only time we have almost had a fire was when an arc burnt through the ballast of a CFL bulb in our inventory and actually burned ME before I could get it unscrewed from the socket.

For the record - there have been no instances of ESL starting a fire. Also, no ESL prototypes exist outside of Vu1 facilities. If you hear anything different - consider it fiction.

The ESL Video Documentary

2009-08-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

A number of people have inquired as to how the production of Vu1's ESL documentary is coming along.

We have had an amazingly productive and enjoyable experience working with Opticus Films. We feel very fortunate that they signed on to do this project with us. We are on schedule to have the production complete by the end of the month. Filming has been completed at our manufacturing and development facility in the Czech Republic, our engineering facility in Colorado and our executive offices in Seattle. Interviews have been completed with Vu1's CEO, CTO, CMO, VP of Manufacturing and VP of Engineering. Interviews have been filmed with industry subject matter experts from the Electric Utility, Electrical Distribution, architectural industries and academia. The final interview is being filmed on Thursday with a senior member of the California Lighting Technology Center.

The video will be delivered to Vu1 on Monday. Next will be a review by our Board of Directors and Legal team. A "sneak preview" will be screened with a group of Vu1 insiders and industry advisors a few days later. We plan to release it publically during the week of September 7th. Stay tuned to meet the Vu1 team, hear comments from a variety of industry experts and actually see a demonstration of ESL technology at work and in comparison to other energy efficient technologies.

CFL's Only Contain a Small Amount of Mercury

2009-08-24T23:06:00.000-07:00

This comes from our friends at www.SafeMinds.org

"The Coalition for SafeMinds is a non-profit organization founded to scientifically investigate, support research, raise awareness, change policy and focus national attention on the growing evidence of a link between mercury and neurological disorders such as autism, attention deficit disorder, language delay and learning difficulties."

SafeMinds frequently provides us with updated information on the issues regarding mercury in CFL products. Below is the best explanation we have seen regarding the claim that there is only a "small amount of mercury in a CFL bulb". Although the average amount of mercury in a CFL is 4mg - SafeMinds does the following analysis based on the impact of just 2.5mg.

"It's A Small Amount"
A Message from SafeMinds President, Theresa Wrangham

One argument that is often made about compact fluorescents is that they only contain a "small amount of mercury". Current CFLs typically contain less than 5mg (not mcg) of mercury. Some contain as "little" as half of that or 2.5 mg. Let's put that number in perspective:

There are 1000 mg in a gram so 400 CFLs contain a gram of mercury. A gram of mercury (about 1/70th of a teaspoon because mercury is very heavy) is enough, if vaporized, to contaminate a 20-acre lake for a year to the point where the fish are unsafe to eat. Now consider the fact that in 2007 the EPA estimates that 380 million CFLs were sold. Those bulbs contained enough mercury to make 950,000 lakes toxic! This is by no means a "small" amount of environmental mercury.

Now let's look at the "small" amount of mercury in a single compact fluorescent assuming that it just broke in your home. Again, we take a CFL containing 2.5mg of mercury but this time we convert it to nanograms, which are billionths of a gram. 2.5mg= 2,500,000 nanograms of mercury.

A typical 12'x14' room with an 8' ceiling contains 38 cubic meters of air. If you divide these numbers you get an air concentration of 65,789 nanograms of mercury per cubic meter of air. For argument's sake, let's assume that only a 10th of the mercury in that CFL actually vaporized (which is conservative based on the published data), so now you are down to 6,579 nanograms per cubic meter of air. Next, let's look at some of the safety reference ranges that the government has established:

300 nanograms per cubic meter of air - this is the Environmental Protection Agency's reference concentration for chronic occupational exposure to mercury vapor in adult males.

200 nanograms per cubic meter of air - this is the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's Minimal Risk Level for chronic exposure in adult males. They have also established a re-occupancy level of 1000ng/cubic meter; this is the level at which it is safe for people to re-enter a building that has been contaminated with mercury.

Both of these reference ranges have safety factors of 30 built into them. One single CFL, when broken, produces an air concentration of mercury roughly equivalent to the level that is known to cause neurological effects in adults

90 nanograms per cubic meter of air - this is California's Reference Exposure Level to prevent mercury damage to the developing brain based on animal studies. In our conservative example a broken CFL exceeds this reference range by 73 times!

Obviously, the amount of mercury in the air will dissipate over time, but this assumes that the homeowner knows that there is mercury in the CFL and cleans up and ventilates appropriately. At SafeMinds, we would rather be cautious and consider the "what if" scenarios:

"What if the homeowner is a pregnant woman?"
"What if the bulb breaks in a toddler's bedroom - or a daycare?"
"What if someone drops a multi-pack of bulbs?"
"What if the room has no windows to ventilate through?
"What if the broken bulb gets left in the trash can for a week?
"What if the homeowner doesn't have a clue that they have a neurotoxin on the floor?"

Even a "small amount" of mercury should not be taken lightly.

http://www.safeminds.org/news/2008/07-2008-1.html

10 Days Left to Buy Incandescent Bulbs in the EU

2009-08-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

Some people have commented that the upcoming 2012 U.S. incandescent bulb ban might not happen on schedule. They contend that it will be pushed out into the next millennium since people don't want to give up their incandescent bulbs. If what is happening in the EU is any indication we should be ready for some aggressive enforcement.

From London's Daily Mail we read that the bans are starting right on time across the world. In the U.S. that means that the 800 million recessed can fixtures will need to have replacement bulbs available. Will consumers replace those 800M fixtures with CFL bulbs? Personally, we don't think so for a long list of reasons. How about the "promised" LEDs? We also don't think so since it is unlikely they will be a viable, affordable solution for the direct replacement of incandescent reflector bulbs. Time will tell.

"Traditional lightbulbs will disappear from our shops in just ten days.

The measure, introduced with little fanfare, aims to force consumers to fit energy-saving lights. Consumers claim that many of the low-energy alternatives are ugly, expensive and produce unpleasant light. Under the European Directive, manufacturers in Europe will not be able to sell the banned bulbs to retailers. It will also be illegal to import energy-guzzling bulbs from outside the EU."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1208228/Ten-days-left-buy-frosted-lightbulbs-EU-ban-means-low-energy-ones-sale.html

"The LED's Dark Secret"

2009-08-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

From our VP of Engineering - Robert White

The IEEE magazine, Spectrum, in this month’s issue published an article titled “LED’s Dark Secret”. The article talks about the problem LEDs are having performing at high output levels. All of the high lumens/watt measurements are at very low output levels – too low to be useful for general purpose lighting. When the LEDs are pushed to useful output levels, the performance (lumens/watt) falls way off. This article delves into the physics of the LED and the various theories on why this happens.

"The blue light-emitting diode, arguably the greatest optoelectronic advance of the past 25 years, harbors a dark secret: Crank up the current and its efficiencies will plummet. The problem is known as droop, and it’s not only puzzling the brightest minds in the field, it’s also threatening the future of the electric lighting industry."

http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/semiconductors/optoelectronics/the-leds-dark-secret

Eco-friendly light bulbs flip switch on problems

2009-08-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

From the Washington Post -

An energy-efficiency measure is turning into a ticking green time bomb. Mercury may end up in trash.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/20/eco-friendly-light-bulbs-flip-switch-on-problems/

Detecting Mercury in Light Bulbs

2009-08-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

I'm always somewhat annoyed when people and organizations say "CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury." Or "The 4mg of mercury in CFL's is better for the environment than the 9 milligrams being created per incandescent lamp from coal fired plants."

My response is that the only acceptable amount of mercury (a persistent neuron toxin) for the environment is NO mercury. Because of the mercury hazard - mercury thermometers have been virtually phased out over the last decade. Even when they were being sold they weren't selling at a rate of 400 million per year (U.S. CFL sales 2008) and growing.

Also, only 50% of U.S. energy comes from coal fired plants. The list of counterpoints can go on and one. Bottomline, less mercury is no solution. No mercury should be the goal.

A friend's son sent me this video link. It's an interesting look at a chemical analysis process. Most importantly is the result "concentration of diluted sample was .1 mg/L, so in conclusion sample has a significant amount of mercury".

http://www.vimeo.com/4431165

The largest and most cost-effective form of greenhouse gas mitigation

2009-07-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Skip Laitner, 202-507-4029
Press contact: Patrick Mitchell, 703-276-3266
ACEEE "Diagnostic Review" Shows Most Economic Projections Off
By Wide Margin on Potential Energy Efficiency Benefits, Greenhouse Gas Cuts

Washington, D.C. (July 30, 2009): A new report from the nonprofit and independent American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) finds that many conventional climate economic impact studies misread the historical record on the nation's energy productivity opportunities. The Positive Economics of Climate Change Policies: What the Historical Evidence Can Tell Us suggests that most studies that evaluate so-called cap-and-trade policies either ignore or greatly understate the potential advances in energy efficiency, the largest and most cost-effective form of greenhouse gas mitigation.

"The evidence shows that productive investments in energy-efficient technologies can enable the U.S. economy to save money and to substantially reduce its greenhouse gas emissions - both immediately and by mid-century,"

said author John A. "Skip" Laitner, Director of ACEEE's Economic and Social Analysis Program.

As part of the study, Laitner conducted a diagnostic review of the recent assessments of the H.R. 2454 climate change legislation, also known as the Waxman-Markey bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a narrow margin on June 26, 2009. It is now under consideration by the U.S. Senate, with action likely this fall. Unlike most other studies, ACEEE's report find that U.S. consumers and businesses could see their energy bills cut in half by 2050.

"In contrast to climate policies based on international offsets and banking, an efficiency-powered policy can provide a benefit to the climate while actually causing a small but net positive increase in the nation's economy and employment," said economist and climate policy expert James Barrett, Ph.D., among those who reviewed the study for ACEEE.

This analysis builds on the many past and recent energy efficiency resource assessments by ACEEE, McKinsey & Company, the Boston Consulting Group, and others. "The evidence is compelling," Laitner noted. "With advances in new materials, new designs, and the emerging contributions from information and communication technologies, energy productivity gains can power the economy in new ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

"U.S. economic performance over the last several decades demonstrates that energy markets and consumer behaviors are much more dynamic than is commonly assumed," stated ACEEE Research Associate Chris P. Knight. "The past and the anticipated future gains in technology performance indicate that a productivity-led climate policy can actually make the U.S. economy more competitive."

The Positive Economics of Climate Change Policies: What the Historical Evidence Can Tell Us is available for free download or a hard copy can be purchased for $25 plus $5 postage and handling from ACEEE Publications, 529 14th St, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20045, phone: 202-507-4000, fax: 202-429-2248, e-mail: aceee_publications@aceee.org.

###

About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit http://www.aceee.org.

Germans Hoarding Traditional Light Bulbs

2009-07-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

And from an article just forwarded to me from my lovely wife -

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,druck-638494,00.html

"The unpopularity of the energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs that will replace them is leading consumers and retailers to start hoarding the traditional bulbs.

In fact, in creating this legislation, the EU failed to address consumer preferences and the reservations of a number of other groups. For example, many have complained that the light emitted by a CFL bulb is colder and weaker and that its high-frequency flickering can cause headaches. Then there are complaints about the mercury the CFL bulbs contain, how there is no system for disposing of them in a convenient and environmentally friendly way, and how they allegedly result in exposure to radiation levels higher than allowed under international guidelines.

For some, the issue is also one of broken promises. For example, manufacturers of CFL bulbs justify their higher prices by claiming that they last much longer than traditional bulbs. But a recent test by the environmentally-oriented consumer-protection magazine Öko Test found that 16 of the 32 bulb types tested gave up the ghost after 6,000 hours of use -- or much earlier than their manufacturers had promised.

And then, of course, there's the issue of the light the bulbs emit. Many complain that the lights are just not bright enough and that they falsify colors. The Hamburger Kunsthalle, for example, recently made a bulk order for 600 incandescent light bulbs to make sure that it can keep illuminating the works it displays in the time-honored way."

Yet Another "dim bulb" Hazard

2009-07-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

We just received a link from a friend at Threedonia.com "Yet Another CFL Hazard"

http://www.threedonia.com/archives/10595

This article refers to one on "Dim Bulbs" written last week by John Stossell the co-anchor of ABC News 20/20

We do have options:

"The first is to go out and buy up all the old-fashioned Edison bulbs before they become illegal. The second option is to try to get a family discount on hazmat suits. The final option is to just say no to dim bulbs."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/johnstossel/2009/07/dim-bulbs.html

Enjoy

Competitive Technologies

2009-07-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

I have received a couple of emails regarding the Blog expressing a concern that we are competition bashing. The information that we have posted regarding HIR, LED and CFL technologies are in response to inquiries we have received asking for our assessment of these potentially competitive technololgies. Rather than responding individually to multiple emails we decided to post our response on the blog. We have attempted to not give only our opinions on these technologies but more importantly to point to existing reports, studies, and resources that do a much better job than we would on analyzing these technologies.

In the future we will continue to address questions regarding competitive technologies, the politics of energy efficient lighting, trends, new products and also use the blog to deliver news on Vu1 and the progress of ESL as we move toward commercialization.

We currently have "Comments" disabled since I don't have the time to moderate the blog. I don't want to disappoint posters with lengthy delays in responding to questions posted. With that said - everyone should feel free to post questions via our "Comments" area on the Vu1 website www.vu1.com (the website form routes your questions to a variety of resources at Vu1) and we will attempt to address your questions as soon as possible.

LED Bulbs 60% Failure Rate

2009-07-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

We have wondered why LED bulb manufacturers often give a 2-year warranty. After all a 30,000 hour bulb should last appoximately 34 years under average use.

From the EternaLED Blog Site:

"60% of LED Bulbs DIE within 6 months"

http://blog.eternaleds.com/tag/led-testing/

The "promise" of LED Lighting

2009-07-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

The DOE has invested vast amounts of money to support the development of Solid State Lighting (SSL) = Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology. The good news is that the LED is not creating a "pending environmental disaster" as some have said about CFL technology and the "mercury problem". The bad news is that LEDs are coming up far short of delivering on their promise of being the perfect, long term solution to all of our energy efficient lighting needs. In a recent Webinar hosted by LEDs Magazine the following information on the residential usage of LEDs "came to light".

Creating viable (affordable and well performing) residential solutions will be hard work for the LED industry. Why?

They have to get to acceptable light quality, - good color rendering and good color temperature
They have to provide reasonable brightness with good energy efficiency. Lumens of 50+ lm/w. That means delivered not the claimed lab bench lumens.
They will need good light dissipation (not easy for a point light source)
They have look nice – not like shower heads
They have to do something about the huge amounts of heat sinking required
Many will need to work in their worst scenario environment – heat retaining recessed cans
They have to dodge the bad press that is going to occur from cheap, low quality, poorly performing products.
Their 10 year Total Cost of Ownership has to be at least as good as CFLs. Today they don’t even come close (they are 3x more costly). A Cree LR6 sells for $100+ a bulb. The GeoBulb sells for $120. The Philips E27 sells for $70. The inexpensive bulbs being sold for $12-15 give a hideous, blinding, blue/white laser type light that is very directional that cannot be dimmed. We call them "Corpse Lights". They give everyone that "morgue glow".

We are always surprised when we see an announcement that a new LED lamp bulb is a "replacement for a 40 watt incandescent". Philips just released their $70 E27 lamp bulb and makes this claim. The IEC 60064 standard for the illumination of a 40W bulb is 450 lumens. The Philips E27 is rated at 155 lumens. Is it accurate to state that a 155 lumen bulb is a 450 lumen bulb "equivalent"?

By the way, we believe that LEDs will be very successful in many applications such as automotive, street lighting, retail and specialty applications. Over time in homes we will see new lighting architectures emerging that will feature surface mounted LED lighting that will be able to function without the heat controlling issues that are most concerning to the LED industry. The LED industry is beginning to admit that they may only be successful in residential lighting if they can convince consumers to move to new LED "fixtures". Retrofitting into the 800 million recessed can fixtures in the U.S. (growing at over 20 million a year) is not going to be a market they will want to aggressively address. We are hoping that Vu1 ESL technology will be complimentary to LED technology. If we can provide an energy efficient soluton to the world of recessed can downlights then LEDs will be able to focus on more LED friendly enviornments.

President Obama Seeks Better Light Bulbs

2009-07-08T18:18:00.001-07:00

We at Vu1 have been saying for a while that "the easiest and most effective way for an individual to reduce green house emissions is to change to energy efficient light bulbs in their homes." Vu1 is working hard to a bring a cleaner, safer and better performing energy efficient lighting technology to market.

President Obama has proposed new aggressive standards to speed the implementation of energy efficient lighting in America. The new policies will have a very positive impact for Vu1. Our company's first product will be the reflector bulbs utilized in over 800 million recessed can fixtures in the USA. Reflector style bulbs had been previously been excluded from the upcoming ban on incandescent lamps. Under the new policy, reflector bulbs will have to meet aggressive new energy standards within the same timeframes as standard lamp bulbs. Vu1 hopes to be ready to answer the call for a highly energy efficient, great light quality, instant on, fully dimmable reflector bulb as these new standards come into place. The company is also looking into the $356 million in funding from the economic stimulus bill passed in February that is now being targeted at "the development, deployment and use of this energy-efficient technology”.

President Obama is asking for a "better light bulb". Vu1 would love for it to be "A light without compromise".

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/29/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5122470.shtml

Incandescent Bulbs Return to the Cutting Edge ???

2009-07-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

An article was published by the NY Times over the weekend on a "new" incandescent bulb technology. We think not. Please feel free to look at the article and then let's separate fact from fiction.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/06/business/energy-environment/06bulbs.html?_r=3&hpw

This "new" technology is yet one more promise of a perfect solution "in the wings". Infrared incandescent technology was announced by GE two years ago and appears to have made little progress toward becoming a viable consumer solution. Philips has a few of the HIR (Halogen Infrared) bulbs they are selling on the European market. Facts conveniently not mentioned in the NYT article: a short life, explosion potential, they burn very hot, and require a complicated and potentially expensive optical coating process (Plasma Impulse Chemical Vapor Deposition) to produce and the "killer" issue ?? they are not that energy efficient. HIR bulbs are not getting anywhere close to reaching their claims of potentially 40 lumens per watt. HIR bulbs tested late last year for the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy delivered a maximum efficiency of 18.5 lumens per watt. In comparison, a 100 watt Sylvania A19 light bulb delivers 1710 lumens. That would be 17.1 lumens per watt. I don't think I would consider a savings of 1.4 lm/w very energy efficient. A "Mercury Bulb" (our name for a CFL bulb) that is a 100 watt replacement delivers over 71 lumens per watt providing a 77% energy savings over a standard incandescent bulb. Vu1 ESL technology is targeting a 70%+ energy savings for our first products. In GE's announcement in Feb of 2007 they claimed their target efficiency would be 30 lm/w. It appears that HIR and HEI bulbs are coming up far short of their target and their claims.

Welcome to the Vu1 Blog

2009-07-07T16:44:00.000-07:00

There is a variety of news happening regarding energy efficient lighting, new technologies, government energy policy and especially a number of things that are going on at Vu1. Please join our Blog and we will try and keep you up to date on what we hear and what is happening.

Cheers

Vu1 Marketing Dept