A couple of decades ago, incandescent bulbs were the sole lighting choice. Now, various new technologies compete for market share. Below, we contrast two kinds of new lighting technology: induction and LED. Both induction and LED technology are superior to Edison's original incandescent bulb, namely because incandescent bulbs operate by heating a filament. Therefore, most of the energy (95 percent) in an Edisonian bulb is lost to heat.

LED technology, in contrast, uses hyper-conductive materials and shifting atomic charges. Every particle in an atom has either a negative or a positive charge. When an LED lamp is turned off, every particle has its match - all the negative ions are linked to positive ions. Engineers design LED lamps to turn on via atomic imbalance; they attach the negative side of a battery to negatively charged material and the positive side to positively charged materials. By forcing this atomic imbalance, designers cause LED chips to glow intensely as free electrons move toward positively charged atoms. (LED materials are unique in that they emit various colors as their electrons search for positive particles.)

Induction lamps are a little different - they take advantage of the fact that mercury vapor releases UV light when it is excited. A special coating inside induction lamps converts UV light to visible. In this way, induction lamps are similar to fluorescent bulbs. However, because the mercury in induction bulbs is excited via an electromagnet rather than through metal prongs, many prefer induction lamps. (Fluorescent bulbs often fail because their prongs break.)

With this very basic introduction to the science behind induction and LED light, we can better appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies.

Advantages of Induction Lighting

- Consistent color matching. Induction bulbs release light that is balanced between all colors. Because incandescent bulbs do the same, many consumers prefer induction-style.

- Longer lifespan than LED lights. Certain induction bulbs can emit light for more than 100,000 hours.

- Extreme efficiency. Induction lighting is often more efficient than LED technology.

Disadvantages of Induction Lighting

- Induction bulbs require special recycling actions. Mercury is an extremely toxic chemical, so induction bulbs must be taken to separate recycling centers.

- Induction bulbs emit high levels of electrical radiation, which explains why some people experience headaches after working near induction bulbs.

- Induction bulbs cannot be dimmed.

- Like neon bulbs, induction light bulbs need extra time to warm up in cold conditions.

- Induction light cannot be focused; it will only create flood lighting.

- Induction bulbs release UV light that can damage products.

Advantages of LED Lights

- LED lighting can be dimmed.

- LED lights may also be focused - you can create scattered flood lighting, or more powerful laser-beam-esque light.

- Fewer hazardous materials. An LED light is mercury-free.

- LED lights operate well in cold temperatures.

- LED lights emit no UV light. As mentioned above, UV light can harm products. Plastic, for instance, turns yellow and brittle when exposed to UV light.

- Very long lifespan. One LED bulb can burn for as many as 50,000 hours.

Disadvantages of LED Lights

- Color matching can be challenging. LED lights emit slightly bluish light.

- High initial investment. As LED technology improves, this downside is fading.