Recently researchers from the University of Washington have developed silicon-based nano particles to replace the expensive rare earth element (REE) phosphors currently used in LEDs. The REE phosphors in LEDs were used to soften the blue light emitted by LEDs. The silicon-based nano particles, derived from sand, now are used to do the softening. Chang-Ching Tu and Ji Hoo managed to separate the nano-sized particles from wafers of silicon. When the particle size is smaller than five nanometers it will start to glow. When the red-emitting silicon nano particles ar...