New Light Bulbs

Although it symbolises a bright idea, the traditional incandescent light bulb is a dud. It wastes huge [blank] of electricity, radiating 95% of the energy it [blank] as heat rather than light. Its life is also relatively short, culminating in a dull pop as its filament fractures. Now a team of researchers has devised a light bulb that is not only much more energy-efficient -- it is also expected to last longer than the devices into which it is inserted. Moreover, the lamp could be used for rear-projection televisions as [blank] as general illumination. The trick to a longer life, for light bulbs at least, is to [blank] that the lamp has no electrodes. Although electrodes are undeniably convenient or plugging bulbs directly into the lighting system, they are also the main reason why lamps fail.