The XLamp XM LED module performance results were announced on April 12th. The single-chip LED module from by Cree blasted out 160 lumens per watt, and by so doing, set a new records for efficiency. These results were produced with cool white XM LED driven at 350 mA, and incorporated a larger footprint which offered very high efficacy at very high drive currents. Clearly, this opens the door to creating more efficient fixtures for the reefkeeping hobby, and will ultimately result in even greater savings (after the initial investment of course). It is reasonable to assume that several companies will begin testing these new options once they are released, and we are very excited to see the results of these tests. These new XLamp XM LEDs should be available in the Fall of 2010.

Cree Announces Revolutionary New LED Platform Delivering 160 Lumens per Watt

XLamp® XM LEDs Are Most Efficient Lighting-Class LEDs in the Industry

DURHAM, N.C., April 12, 2010 — Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), a market leader in LED lighting, announces a breakthrough new lighting-class LED platform, the XLamp® XM LED. This new single chip LED delivers record-breaking efficacy of 160 lumens per watt at 350 mA. The LED also delivers 750 lumens at 2 A, which is equivalent to the light output of a 60 W incandescent light bulb at less than 7 watts.

“This new platform continues Cree’s well-established record of turning R&D innovations into products,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. “We continue to set the pace for LED performance, establishing new benchmarks that make you wonder why anyone would consider last-century’s energy-wasting technology.”

A cool white XM LED driven at 350 mA can produce 160 lumens at 160 lumens per watt. The new platform has a larger footprint than Cree’s XP family and also offers the unique combination of very high efficacy at very high drive currents. At 2 A, an XM LED produces 750 lumens at 110 lumens per watt. The thermal resistance of the XM platform is 2 de