Are you a science-minded person who is interested in taking energy efficiency to a new level? If so, there is no better time than now to pursue a career in the industry. As the government develops a growing a number of laws regulating energy and energy-related products, the demand for individuals who can develop the most efficient products continues to grow.

Take the incandescent light bulb, for example. After Congress passed a new energy law, which will take effect in 2012, many within the industry predicted that the end was near for the incandescent light bulb. These predictions didn’t come true, however, as researchers around the country quickly started to look into ways to keep the technology alive while still meeting the new energy standards. In fact, one company is already offering incandescent light bulbs that meet thee new standards and researchers have proclaimed that a number of new products will be available within the next few years.

“There’s a massive misperception that incandescents are going away quickly,” said Chris Calwell, who is a researcher with Ecos Consulting, in a New York Times article. “There have been more incandescent innovations in the last three years than in the last two decades.”

Of course, the new technology does come at a price. Philips, for example, offers the Halogena Energy Savers bulb, but it costs about $5 per bulb – a stiff price when compared to standard bulbs that cost as little as 25 cents each. On the plus side, these bulbs are about 30% more efficient than the older variety. In addition, the company claims the 70-watt variety gives off about the same amount of light as the older 100-watt variety and lasts about three times as long.

Although the performance of this bulb still falls behind that of the compact fluorescent light bulb, those who dislike the type of light emitted from fluorescent bulbs or who do not like the slow start up of fluorescents prefer the new bulbs.

“We’re experiencing double-digit growth and we’re continuing to expand our assortment,” said Jorge Fernandez, who is an executive who determines which bulbs will be stocked at Home Depot, which is one of two places currently stocking the bulbs. “Most of the people that buy that bulb have either bought a C.F.L. and didn’t like it, or have identified an area that C.F.L.s don’t work in.”

Many experts within the field have described the move to create more efficient light bulbs as a “race,” and a company by the name of Deposition Sciences in Santa Rosa is performing some of the most groundbreaking work in the area. By applying a special reflective coating to the capsules that surround the filament within the bulb, Deposition Sciences is able to use the heat created by incandescent bulbs to transform into light. Within the lab, the company has managed to gain a 50% efficiency improvement with the new technology.

Deposition Sciences isn’t the only company working on creating more efficient technologies, however, as Osram Sylvania, General Electric, Philips, Toshiba and Auer Lighting are working on new technologies as well. One inventor in Los Angeles, David Cunningham, has personally invested more than $5 million into developing an incandescent bulb that he feels will be more than 100% more efficient.

“There’s enormous interest,” said Cunningham in the New York Times article. “All the major lighting companies want an exclusive as soon as we demonstrate feasibility.”

The bottom line is that there is plenty of need for people with an interest in making technological advancements. If you are one of these people, visit the Top-College home page and start exploring career options today!