First prototype of LightLab’s fully-integrated mercury-free lamp ready on schedule
LightLab, which is developing a technical platform for lighting based on field emission, has made important progress in the development of a fully-integrated mercury-free light bulb, producing its first prototype in A19 format with a traditional E27 base. In August 2012 LightLab signalled its intention to modify its aims. The new objective was set to complete a fully-integrated prototype, taking development of the technical platform one stage further than previously announced. This was expected to take approx. 4-6 months and to require augmented resources, including financing and expertise. A new share issue was launched in November 2012 and completed successfully with help from the company’s shareholders. In January 2013 the company secured additional expertise in line with its plans.
“We have made significant progress in the last six months,” says Jan-Erik Lennefalk, CEO of LightLab. “By the end of 2012, various parts of the lamp had been completed. The integration work started in December and was completed in mid-January. The first mercury-free lamp built, using electronics developed in-house, produced light for the first time when it was screwed into a normal standard E27 socket, which was itself connected to a normal wall socket. This is a major milestone in the company’s development.”
This development is in line with the previously communicated plan, and for the remainder of the first quarter of 2013 efforts will continue to improve the prototype’s various properties. This will mainly involve the following:
1) Improvements to various components. This mainly involves the glass and not LightLab’s core lighting technology as such; the aim is to develop a good stable prototype with sound properties.
2) Minor adjustment to the drive electronics to improve robustness.
3) Additional improvements to the lamp’s appearance.
4) Additional improvements to performance. This not only involves the initial prototypes, but is also an aspect of continuing technical development work towards a complete product.
5) The manufacturing process used to produce the cathode has a significant impact on the lamp’s properties, including, for example, how the light is perceived, as well as the ability to produce the light source efficiently. In this respect, there is still work to be done. The company strengthened its skills base at the beginning of 2013 in order to be able to move forward with the remaining stages of process development.
In addition to work on the company’s mercury-free low-energy lamp, LightLab is continuing to follow up on contacts with investors and industrial players. Dialogue has been widened to include interested parties from an increased number of countries, and a new ‘Demo kit’ that is suitable for use with the new integrated lamp has been produced to increase awareness of the company and its technology.
“The fact that we are now developing a prototype which can be unveiled within the next few months to interested parties as the first really exciting alternative to mercury-based low-energy lamps is a major leap forward for us. There are still challenges and risks ahead, but at present there appear to be no fundamental technical barriers capable of pushing our target for the continued development of our environmentally-friendly low-energy lamp off course. Our conviction that the market needs a competitive alternative to low-energy lamps has been further strengthened by meetings with investors, manufacturers and authorities,” says Jan-Erik Lennefalk.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Jan-Erik Lennefalk, CEO
Mobile: 46 (0) 702 51 91 92
Per Olsson, Investor Relations
Mobile: 46 (0)730 80 49 59
E-mail: per.olsson@lightlab.se
This is LightLab Sweden AB
LightLab Sweden AB (publ), www.lightlab.se, has developed an environmentally friendly energy-saving bulb for general lighting based on field emission and cathode luminescence. It is energy efficient and exhibits good values for colour balance and colour quality. The bulb does not contain any mercury, lead or other substances hazardous to the environment. Laboratory activities are carried out by a subsidiary in Taiwan, LightLab Asia. The technology behind the bulb is applicable in a host of other applications, each of which offers considerable potential. LightLab has over 4,000 shareholders. The company's shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX First North. The company’s certified adviser is Erik Penser Bankaktiebolag.