Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have had exclusive control over the energy-efficient lighting market, but this is poised to change. An innovative startup company has developed an alternative technology sure to transform the lighting industry.

Seattle start-up Vu1’s new lighting technology is called electron-stimulated luminescence (ESL). The company received an official trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on 6/27/08. The technology is neither incandescent, fluorescent nor LED. Instead, the ESL lighting technology uses accelerated electrons to simulate phosphor to create light, making the surface of the bulb “glow”. The company claims that the new technology creates the same light quality as an incandescent but is more energy conserving.

The Vu1 is being touted as an instant-on bulb that will have full dimmable ability. For energy efficiency, Vu1 is targeting to be equal or better than the CFL.

The company has positioned its ESL bulbs as cleaner than CFLs (with their trace amounts of mercury) and greener than LEDs (which require substantial energy to manufacture). The $12 price tag puts the new bulbs on par with the average price for a dimmable CFL. The first screw-in models could be available early 2009, and Vu1's manufacturing facility in the Czech Republic is capable of churning out several million ESL bulbs in the first year of business.

Initially, the company plans to produce various sizes of Vu1-branded, ESL-powered Reflector Bulbs - spotlights and floodlights commonly used in residential kitchens, dining rooms and living areas. ESL Technology can be further adapted to many different types of bulbs. For more information on this new exciting new lighting option, visit the Vu1 website.