Solid state lighting : the development of a technology

Abstract

This study on the development of Solid State Lighting (SSL) technology is conducted with the help of the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) as a theoretical framework. It analyzes the upcoming technological change in illumination techniques and the possible consequences for the established actors in the lighting industry. It is argued that there is a lock-in situation in the current market for general lighting applications, which is partly the reason why in this thesis incentives and ideas have been sought in order to stimulate development and diffusion of SSL technology in society. SSL technology holds the potential to become the new prevailing means of illumination in the general lighting market, hence the reason to analyze the concept of disruptivity for SSL. The key to development in SSL for general lighting may lay in the total deviation of existing designs for fixtures and artefacts such as a bulb, or tube. Once these problems are overcome and SSL is developed to its true potential, illumination could become something magnificent again, and significantly contribute to a better environment with less CO2 emissions.