LEDs are emerging as the hottest choice in illuminating homes and businesses due to their Energy efficient. Now, LEDs are on the verge of a revolution, according to E. Fred Schubert, professor of electrical engineering and physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute New York, there are tremendous opportunities that open up with LED.

Schubert predicted that widespread use of LEDs over 10 years would save more than $1 trillion in energy costs, eliminate the need for nearly a billion barrels of oil over 10 years, and lead to a substantial cuts in emissions of carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas.

LEDs are more like hard plastic than thin glass. They are also more environmentally sound, since their manufacture does not require toxic substances such as mercury. As an alternative to the incandescent light bulb, LEDs provide significant energy savings. They can be 2,000 percent more efficient than conventional light bulbs and 500 percent more efficient than compact fluorescent bulbs.

All of these advantages make LEDs a good replacement light source, said Schubert, adding that this is why there has been a tremendous recent expansion of the LED industry, which is growing by double-digit rates. However, he stresses, the true potential of LED lighting lies in their ability to transform -- rather than simply replace -- lighting technology.

Schubert noted the replacement is fine, but must see the true benefits of LED lights beyond the replacement paradigm. Schubert envisions a day when light switches give way to light switchboards that control not only the brightness of a light, but its colour, temperature and hue.

Light spectra could be custom-tailored for all wavelengths, accurately matching the sun's light qualities and vary these characteristics, that could revolutionize indoor agriculture and help night-shift workers and people who are jet-lagged. The use of polarised light from LEDs could also improve computer displays and lower the glare from car headlights.