Recent advancements in LED technology, which have transformed them from niche components to essential lighting solutions, have been largely driven by “spillover effects,” according to PSI researcher Michael Weinold. His research highlights how innovations in unrelated fields, such as materials developed for aviation, have significantly contributed to improvements in LED efficiency and light quality. Weinold emphasizes that targeted funding for fundamental research is crucial for fostering such spillover effects, which can ultimately accelerate technological advancements in energy systems. As efficiency gains approach theoretical limits, future developments may pivot toward new areas, including laser LED technologies and micro-LEDs for virtual reality applications, underscoring the ongoing potential for unexpected breakthroughs.