Matsushita and the Graduate School of Engineering at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed the world’s first light emitting device that generates visible light by discharging electrons from a silicon device measuring 5nm or smaller into xenon gas. Theoretically, the new light would be 50% brighter than a conventional fluorescent lamp while consuming the same amount of electricity. The device reportedly eliminates the need of mercury, unlike fluorescent lamps.

The breakthrough could lead to a new source of illumination following next-generation lights such as light-emitting diode and organic electroluminescence devices. Matsushita will report the achievement at an international vacuum nanoelectronics conference in Poland that starts Sunday