Use of LEDs for Lighting

Today LED lamps are increasingly being used for lighting purposes. It has much better qualities as a light source than the conventional incandescent bulbs or CFL lamps. LED lamps are made out of LEDs that are arranged into assemblies of high power light that can be focused in a single direction. The luminescence of a single LED is improved by arrangement of multiple LEDs that gives more light.  LED lamps have greater luminous efficacy and they produce more light per unit of electrical power. LED lights are able to emit 100 lumens of light per 1 watt of power and the efficacy continues to improve with the latest LED chips. The light conversion efficacy is more compared to the incandescent and fluorescent lamps. With the use of high efficiency reflector, high transmitive diffuser, and high power LEDs, there is considerable saving in energy and improving efficiency.

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The Working of LEDs

LED or a light-emitting diode is a semiconductor diode light source that emits light. It is commonly used as a lighting source in an indicator lamp. When a diode is switched to the 'on' position or forward biased, the electrons in the LED recombine with holes releasing energy in the form of photons or light. This effect displayed by the LED is called as an electroluminescence. Many different colors are also produced by the LEDs other than white light. The wavelength and the color emitted depends on the materials forming the p-n junction. Because of the smaller size of LEDs, integrated optical components are introduced inside, which are used to shape the light produced from it.

Applications

LED lamps can be replaced with ordinary incandescent or fluorescent lamps to provide good lighting for homes, automobiles, public facilities etc. LEDs are becoming more commonly used in aviation lighting, automotive lighting, displays, advertising, general lighting, and traffic signals.

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​Advantages

LEDs have very smaller energy consumption and it is environmentally friendly.

LED lamp provides long hours of service and so less replacement.

LEDs are more robust and smaller in size.

LED lamp has high energy efficiency and saves energy and reduce the electricity bills.

The light from the LED lamps are more sharper and are very direct.

LED lamps are very flexible and adaptable to suit the convenience of the place.

LED lamps provide wide choices in lighting and colors to and has a large number of effects, moods, and ambiances for the room.

LED lamps provide a uniform level of illumination and the lighting is more comfortable to work and less glare and strain to the eyes.

LED lamps has a great variety of designs and shapes for each room, place, and settings.

LEDs contain no contaminants and so lesser pollution to the environment.

LED lamps have over 40,000 burning hours and hence it is maintenance free.

​Installation of LED lamps are easy because of the compact size and adaptable designs.

​​Disadvantages

The cost of LED lamps are slightly higher than that of fluorescent or incandescent lamps and so the initial cost may be higher.

LED lamps use direct electric current and so it needs rectification, filtration, and regulation when connecting it from AC, for its smooth functioning.

Optimum voltage and current is needed for LEDs to function normally.

LED are degraded or damaged by high operating temperatures and so heat dissipation elements are needed such as heat sinks or cooling fins.

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Health Benefits of Almonds

Almond, Prunus dulcis is a seed of the deciduous tree that grows widely along the Mediterranean coast, Middle East, and South Asia. Almond is the edible seed of the fruit of almond tree. It grows 4 to 10 meters in height. The flowers are white and pink in color and 3 to 5 cm in diameter. The seed resides in the shell and the shell is removed for obtaining the seed. Almond seed measures 3.5 to 6 cm long. It is not typically a nut but a drupe. It is a tree with significant cultural importance because it is seen mostly in places where old civilizations existed in the Middle East, The Levant, and South Asia. It is mentioned in the Bible many times as it is a symbol of watchfulness, promise, and prosperity.

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Uses

Almonds are eaten raw and they are also used in many dishes. Almonds are available as whole, sliced, almond butter, almond milk, and almond oil. Sweet almond is used as a base material in many desserts and added to cakes, cookies, sweets etc. It is also processed to a milk form called as almond milk with the flavor, texture and color of almond.

There are two varieties of almond, the sweet and the bitter. The fruit of Prunus dulcis is mostly of sweet variety. There a few bitter almonds found on each tree. The bitter almond is broader and shorter than the sweet almond. It contains 50% of the almond oil and also contains the enzyme emulsin, in the presence of water acts on the soluble glucoside yielding glucose, cyanide, and essential oil of bitter almonds that is pure benzaldehyde. Bitter almond may yield 4-9 mg of hydrogen cyanide per almond. Larger doses of the bitter variety can be deadly and so cyanide must be removed before consumption. Almonds are usually soaked overnight in water before consuming it in the next morning.

Nutritional Value

A 100 gram of almond contains 20 g carbohydrates, 51 g of fat, and 11 g of protein. It contains vitamins such as vitamin E 26.22 mg, niacin 4 mg, riboflavin 0.8 mg, pantothenic acid 0.3 mg, thiamine 0.24 mg, vitamin B6 0.13 mg, folate 29 mcg etc. It also contains minerals such as calcium 248 mg, iron 4 mg, magnesium 275 mg, phosphorus 474 mg, potassium 728 mg, zinc 3 mg, etc.

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Health Benefits

1. Almonds are rich in vitamin E which constitutes 26 mg per 100 g. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that scavenges free radicals. It protects oxidative damage of cells and prevents age related illnesses. It also regulates enzymatic activity of protein kinase C that plays a role in smooth muscle growth.

2. Almonds contain good amount of carbohydrate 20 g per 100 g and also has high dietary fiber content that is good for absorption of food and bowel movement.

3. It has high quality protein, which is rich in essential amino acids required for muscle buildup.

4. Almonds has high monounsaturated fats, which is an essential fat that decreases LDL cholesterol levels and reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease. It also contains phytosterols which has cholesterol lowering action.

5. It protects against diabetes by decreasing the surge of blood sugar after meals. It decreases the glycemic index of meals when taken with meals.

6. Magnesium present in almonds decreases the resistance of the blood vessels and improves the flow of blood through the vessels thus reducing the incidence of heart disease. It also​ contains potassium in adequate amounts, which helps in nerve transmission and contraction of muscles, helpful in maintaining normal blood pressure and function of heart.

7. Almonds contain polyphenols on the skin in combination with flavonols such as flavan-3-ols, hydroxybenzoic acids and flavanones. These substances possess antioxidant properties and helps in protecting from age-related illnesses.

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