Oh, Those Beautiful Christmas Light(Emitting Diode)s

Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City, has put up a stunning 10-story holiday display that features 40,000 LEDs. An LED is a light-emitting diode that is up to 90 percent more efficient than an incandescent bulb. They produce very little heat and can last up to 20 years. Plus they are becoming more and more prevalent—have you seen the LED flashlights for sale?

California’s official holiday tree uses 6,500 LED lights as well. However, this one is powered by a 1-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell. It’s the efficient nature of LEDs that allows them to be powered by a small hydrogen generating system. LEDs can brighten the holidays and begin to pave unique ways for alternative fuels to help power our world.

photo © Philips