New ESL(electron-stimulated luminescence) lights?

Has anyone tried ESL lights for growing? I don't know if they are available to purchase yet, but they seem like they might be another new, efficient technology that could be developed for certain grow situations.

"Another contender has stepped into the ring of energy efficient lighting: called ESL (electron-stimulated luminescence), this new type of bulb works by using accelerated electrons to light up a phosphor coating on the inside of a glass bulb. ESLs can turn on instantly, can work with dimmers, and creates a light quality that's similar to incandescents and halogens.

Vu1, the company behind the technology, says ESL bulbs don't contain the trace amounts of mercury in CFLs and don't require the manufacturing energy behind LEDs, making it better than both. The first screw in models, which produce 40 lumens per watt with a 6,000 hour lifetime, are expected to be available by September 2008. At $12 a bulb, they cost about the same as dimmable CFLs already on the market. "-Gizmodo

"Vu1 Technology
Introducing: Electron Stimulated Luminescenceâ?¢ Lighting Technology

Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESLâ?¢) Lighting Technology is an entirely new, energy efficient lighting technology. It is neither incandescent, fluorescent nor LED.

To contrast:

* Incandescent bulbs heat a filament to generate light.
* Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) send a current through a mercury vapor that emits UV light to excite a phosphor.
* Light Emitting Diodes (LED) create light by electrically stimulating a semiconductor material

ESL Lighting Technology uses accelerated electrons to stimulate phosphor to create light, making the surface of the bulb â??glowâ?. ESL Technology creates the same light quality as an incandescent but is more energy conserving. There is no use of the neurotoxin Mercury (Hg) in the lighting process.
Tested, Proven & Safe

In creating ESL Technology, Vu1 merged several existing and proven technologies then uniquely adapted them for â??lightingâ?. Vu1 uses commonly sourced, non-hazardous, commercial materials that are customized to our specifications. Our ESL Technology is encased in standard light bulb glass which is sourced from existing light bulb glass manufacturers. No specialized glass is required.

We are currently developing a highly energy efficient, perfect light quality, mercury-free light bulb.

Safe as a lighting source, the ESL Technology fits neatly into classic light bulb shapes familiar to consumers everywhere. This eliminates the need to bend the technology into an unusual, twisted spiral shape (CFL) or have costly and heavy heat dissipation designed into the bulb housing (LED).

Key gate-keeping elements of the technology and associated manufacturing processes are patent pending.
Light Bulb Technology Comparison
Technology comparison tableThe arrival of Vu1's ESL Technology adds an important new path for residential lighting options.

For energy efficiency, Vu1 is targeting to be equal or better than the CFL.

However, unlike either the CFL or the LED, Vu1 carries forward desirable incandescent lighting features loved by consumers today:

- perfect light quality
- instant-on
- ability to fully dim

In a world where consumers and governments are growing increasingly sensitive to Climate Change impacts, the carbon footprint size of a product throughout its lifecycle really matters. ESL Technology has a favorably small footprint beside the huge manufacturing and disposal costs footprints being generated by LED and CFL light bulb technology.
Technology Introduction
Initially, we plan to produce various sizes of Vu1-branded, ESL-powered Reflector Bulbs - spotlights and floodlights commonly used in residential kitchens, dining rooms and living areas.

ESL Technology can be further adapted to many different types of bulbs. We intend to expand into other bulb forms such as A-Bulb, Fluorescent Tube, PAR and others based on demand and available resources. "-Vu1