Discussions over what type of lighting is more efficient have been complicated following the advent of a new competition: nanofibers.

Researchers at RTI International agree that the new discovery is more efficient than incandescent light bulbs and safer than fluorescent compact ones. The secret lies in the combination of nanofiber based reflectors and PLN, or photoluminescent nanofibers.

For each consumed watt, the nanofiber light bulbs generate 55 lumens which is five times more efficient than the incandescent bulbs in cars. The light has a more natural hue than that of the fluorescent bulbs and don’t contain mercury which is a toxic metal. RTI promises to deliver the nanofiber bulbs within 3 to 5 years.

[Engadget]