With the United States' legislating out low-cost incandescent light bulbs in a few months, an article in Chemical & Engineering News says the ban on 100-watt bulbs may lead to a new wave of growth for the lowly light-emitting diode (LED), which hasn't taken off because they are overpriced and not very good.
In one of a three-part cover story package on the raw materials that enable the electronics and related industries, C&EN Senior Editor Alexander H. Tullo says LEDs have crept into everyday life in multiple waves, though really they are only known for being tiny light sources on digital clocks and indicator lights on appliances or remote controls.
The future does not look good for poor people who want light on their homes but the article attempts to frame the ban during a recession in a positive light. LEDs work for backlight illumination on cell phones, laptop computers, and other small devices and their longer life, small size, and low energy consumption are good for backlights in flat-panel TVs.
If you're noting a common theme - backlight - you note the problem they still have. Once the ban goes into effect, you can begin to decide if you want mercury poisoning or to feel like you are on the set of a creepy horror movie when you enter your home.