(BEIJING, October 7) -- The breakthroughs in the LED technology of China's "863" national research program has contributed to the successful illumination of the National Aquatics Center, an important venue for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are solid-state devices that convert electric energy directly into light. They have a longer lifetime, are easy to be integrated, energy-saving and environment-friendly.

Compared with fluorescent lamps, they can save as much as 60 percent of energy. Besides, they do not contain mercury or emit ultraviolet rays. Through custom-made lenses, their light beams can be re-deployed to reach various parts of the luminous flux curve, sources of the Science and Technology Ministry were quoted as saying.

According to a project head, the application of the technology may play an important role in driving the development of the LED industry in China.