Double the light. (Wip).

Omron (Schaumburg, IL) is trying to shed more light on LEO applications--twice as much, in fact. The company has introduced a new bullet-type LEO that uses a double reflector to double the amount of light produced with the same amount of power. Based on proprietary microlens array technology, the new LEOs direct light forward in a consistent beam, as opposed to the inefficient scattering of light that occurs with current conventional LEOs. The reflective surface within the LEO can also be designed asymmetrically, so that light can be focused in different directions. Omron is talking with automotive lighting suppliers about possible applications like: high-mount brake lights, instrument panel and window control lighting, map lights, and even eventually larger parts like turn signals and marker lights. Executives at Omron say that it is still very early in the life of the research on the micro array technology and that they foresee further improvements in efficiency.