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Omron has developed a backlight for LCDs that reduces the amount of power conventional backlights, mostly cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), need by 33% to just 39W. Existing 32-inch LCD TVs are using about 10 CCFLs.

Omron says it has found out that these lamps achieve maximum performance at temperatures of about 50°C. Just reducing the number of CCFLs results in a dimmer display, but Omron’s approach involves using heat-storing resin sheets that are placed inside the backlight, which makes it possible for the tubes to operate at maximum brightness.

As a result, the Omron backlights are based on just three U-shaped CCFLs, the equivalent to six conventional lamps. The company plans to offer its new product to LCD TV makers as early as January next year.

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]