Industrial Micro Systems uses LEDs as a way of creating energy efficient lighting solutions for architecture and design. The LEDs can be used indoors and outdoors and can be computer controlled. Depending on the surface behind which they’re placed, they can even be used under water. The LEDs are available in bright white, green, blue and red. By combining the LEDs, different colours can be created.
Already in 1907 the phenomenon of light emittance by electrical stimulance of a solid mass was discovered by H.J. Round. He connected a Silicium Carbide Cristal (SiC) intended for the detection of radio waves, with an electrical current. The result was called “cold” light, because no heat could be measured while the light was emitted. This discovery was however regarded as not very interesting; the researchers were only interested in the detection of radio waves!
It was only in 1921 that O.V. Lossew discovered this light emittance again. He researched the light emitting phenomenon from 1927 to 1942 and was able to manipulate the frequency of the light with mirrors. He intended to use the light in combination with the mirrors for sending messages.
In 1935 G. Destriau discovered a similar effect of SiC with Zinc Sulfide (ZnS), but untill 1951 scientists were not able to explain how this Lossew-effect was created. For this, the discovery and development of transistor technology was necessary. Transistors made it possible to continue the research of the Destriau and Lossew effects, with which it became possible to create flat screens as a replacement for Cathodic based screens.
While a breakthrough with the ZnS was not reached, the discovery of III-V connections known as semi-conductors did create a breakthrough.This discovery resulted in the first use of one light-emitting cristal based on -Galliumarsenidcum (GaAs) Galliumphospor (GaP) in 1962.