They last forever and are remarkably energy efficient, but have run into problems when trying to expand into general lighting applications currently dominated by incandescent, halogen, and compact fluorescent light bulbs. Until now, LEDs have had problems generating enough light to illuminate a room while keeping heat output to acceptable levels. The key word there is ‘had.’

New lights from Cree and Soraa are showing a lot of promise in the ability to last for years and save on electricity bills. Researchers at Georgia Tech recently discovered a way to increase LED energy efficiency by 425 percent. Though at this time LEDs are significantly pricier than more established lighting, retail costs should be coming down soon as manufacturing techniques improve and better light dispersal methods are developed.

In the United States – the second largest consumer of electricity in the world – lighting accounts for a full 15.5 percent of all electricity usage. That’s 570 billion kilowatt-hours. Power-saving LED light sources are poised to keep millions of dollars in our collective wallets in near future. And with advances like OLEDs (organic LEDs) on the horizon, light-emitting diodes will continue to light up our lives for decades to come.

In the news:

• Cree: LEDs aren’t just more efficient, they’re better
• Startup Soraa unveils game changing next-gen LED light
• Boosting LED Efficiency

Scientists at the McGill University Research Centre have released a study proving the effectiveness of an oral HIV test. Using only saliva as the screening sample, the OraQuick Rapid HIV 1/2 Antibody test was 99% accurate in detecting HIV antibodies in high-risk populations and 97% accurate in low-risk populations, very comparable to current widely used blood tests. Researchers hope that the test – currently only approved for use at healthcare facilities – will eventually allow people to self-test at home (similar to pregnancy tests) as a first option before seeking further professional diagnosis. They anticipate that by avoiding the public stigma of a clinic visit, more people will be willing to get tested – a key component to overcoming this devastating disease.

Leveraging nanotechnology, engineers at Brown University have developed a method to measure glucose levels in saliva. Using microscopic grooves and holes etched into a chip the size of a fingernail, researchers were able to detect how incoming photons were scattered by specific molecules (e.g. glucose), thus allowing them to calculate their density. While not quite as accurate as current blood tests, further tweaks and calibrations should make the test a viable option for most diabetics.

Scientists at Boston IVF have recently unveiled a new saliva-based test for a form of estrogen called estradiol. Women undergoing fertility treatments must constantly track their estrogen levels to determine the dose of the next hormone injection which typically means running daily blood tests. With the new test, women will still have to deliver samples to a lab to be tested, but will avoid the need to give blood. Less pain is always a good thing

Having blood drawn every now and then isn’t too much of a problem for the average person. Unfortunately for some though, it is a painful daily ritual that must be endured to produce the desired results. Luckily these new, needle-free tests are saving time, money and pain – and that’s nothing to spit at.

In the news:

• Saliva HIV Test As Effective As Blood Test: Study
• New biochip measures glucose levels in saliva
• New saliva test for infertile women could replace blood tests

New York City, with all its cachet and global influence, is looking to become an option for the current explosion of tech startups. With major tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Zynga and even eBay opening offices in New York, the Manhattan tech scene is definitely on the rise. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a speech back in July, “Our ultimate goal is reclaiming our title as the world capital of technological innovation.”

Enter Silicon Alley.

Silicon Valley will continue to dominate as the technology capital of the world. Core internet hardware and software companies are firmly entrenched there. Large biotech, cleantech, healthcare and energy solution providers can be found off almost every freeway exit. The technology industry begins and ends in California, but entrepreneurs developing tech businesses heavily involved in media, advertising, marketing, consumer goods, finance or entertainment might just find Silicon Alley a good place to start.

In the news:

• Can New York City ever be the next Silicon Valley?
• Silicon Alley soaring
• NYC Startup Scene Celebrated in 2012 Calendar

The California Energy Commission, generally a leader in energy efficiency regulation, recently made a unanimous ruling requiring battery chargers to consume less energy while still maintaining performance levels. The chargers – used for everything from tablets to toothbrushes – are called ‘vampire’ devices because they suck up energy while not in use, wasting up to 60 percent of the total power they draw. When the new law goes into effect February 1, 2013, consumers should save around $306 million annually and enough energy to power 350,000 homes.

Swimming pool maintenance just got more economical in Arizona. In a state where places to cool off during the summer are a must, a law requiring newly-installed pool pumps to be energy efficient went into effect this year. New pumps for swimming pools and portable spas must now have at least two speeds. Older, single-speed models waste energy by only running at the high levels needed to run waterfalls, pool cleaners, and other accessories when the vast majority of the time only a slower speed is needed to keep water circulating. While new units can be expensive – running upwards of $1,000 with installation – they often cut energy usage by up 90 percent, more than paying for themselves within a few years.

Finally, new light bulb legislation lands this month. Signed into law by President Bush back in 2007, the first tier of the Energy Independence and Security Act prohibits the manufacture or import of 100-watt and higher incandescent bulbs (specialty bulbs excepted). The act is designed to force consumers to switch to more energy-efficient halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. Although these new lights are more expensive than the old incandescent models up front, long-term money savings comes from reduced power use and long lifetimes – sometimes upwards of 20 years.

In these days of climate change and international energy issues, reducing the amount of power we consume makes sense both politically and economically. Though some of these new laws may mean more hassles now, the future returns are well worth the investment.

In the news:

• California targets ‘vampire’ battery chargers by imposing new energy efficiency standards
• New laws take aim at inefficient pool pumps
• Changes in law makes way for energy-efficient light bulbs

Wind power generation has bucked the trend of the economic downturn and enjoyed continued growth throughout 2011. 7 gigawatts of new generating facilities were completed, bringing the U.S. nationwide total to over 45 gigawatts – the equivalent of 45 heavily polluting coal plants. The Fukushima disaster has reinvigorated Japan’s commitment to sustainable, offshore generation projects. Improved turbine technology has opened thousands of new potential wind farm sites by making slower and less consistent winds viable for cost-effective power generation. All of this and more have lead wind prices to new lows of $33-$65 per megawatt-hour, making it competitive with traditional power generation methods – and the price is still dropping.

With the scrutiny and related financial pressures of Wall Street investors currently focused on major solar company failures, the biggest hurdles faced by turbine manufacturers, utility companies, and wind farm developers are from government committees and regulators. For most projects though, gaining approval is just a matter of time as voters and many factions within government still strongly support the continued progression of renewable energy sources. Companies with innovative ideas and solutions must be sure to have the right connections, and choosing an experienced communications team is often the best bet.

In the news:

• Wind Power 2011 Review and 2012 Outlook: High on Promise, Low on Support
• How Low Can the Price of Wind Go?