New type of lighting could replace everything...

Researchers at Wake Forest University have developed a field-induced polymer elecroluminescent (FIPEL) lighting technology that silently gives off a soft, white glow, sans the annoying hum and yellow tint of fluorescent bulbs or the sharp, bluish hue of LED light fixtures.

...Perhaps best of all, FIPEL technology has been around for quite a while and is already well-understood, meaning two things: Firstly, we know the technology is long-lasting (one of the researchers has had a prototype FIPEL light source that he claims has worked for a decade), and secondly we already know how to produce it. This kind of FIPEL lighting could be on the consumer market as early as next year.

Complete article: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-12/new-kind-lighting-could-replace-fluorescents-cfls-and-leds-light-source-future

Interesting. Mama likey. Two things, though:

1/ that sure looks like a bluish hue to me

2/ seems as though it's a light source that doesn't produce heat... neat!

I like the light that comes from LEDs, and heat is almost nonexistent... but not entirely.

I got four 18' string lights for decorating the outside of the house this year. They are @ 2/3" diameter hollow clear flexible plastic tubes with red and green LEDs inside. You can see resistors inside them too. They plug into 110 volt outlets and you can chain a couple of them together. They provided cheap clips to mount them with, but the plastic is too brittle. I just used connectors that are essentially a round strap with holes at the ends.

The lights are bright and look very neat and straight. I'll take a pic tonight and upload it.

The Nativity Scene kinda overdrives the photo, but the Green and Red lights behind it are LEDs. The gaps in the light strings are garlands and bows in front of the lights.

Your nativity scene reminds me of a childhood tradition. In looking at this photo, I wonder if you do the same thing we did.

We would put up the entire nativity scene except for baby Jesus. On Christmas Eve, after the midnight service, the whole family would trek out to the nativity scene and put baby Jesus in Mary's arms.

That tradition is one of my fondest Christmas memories. My family wasn't much for doing things together, but we did do this every year. Bittersweet...

Unfortunately, this cheap version has Mary with the baby Jesus already molded into her arms. I had the same thoughts, but... oh well.

Here's what the lights look like up close.