A university has claimed to have overcome an issue which makes solid state lighting a costly option.Purdue University asserts its research could make the efficient lighting a step closer to becoming more widely used.This, they said, could lead to electricity consumption falling by a tenth as the LEDs are four times more efficient than normal compact fluorescent bulbs.Director of the Birck Nanotechnology Center in Purdues Discovery Park Timothy D Sands comments that LEDs continue to move forward in terms of efficiency.Everything looks favourable for LEDs, except for that initial cost, a problem that is likely to be solved soon, he adds.It was revealed earlier this month that Philips profits rose partly as a result of its position within emerging markets such as energy-saving light bulbs.The electronics giant reported pre-tax profits of 386 million (308 million) during the second-quarter.President and chief executive officer of the firm Gerard Kleisterlee said the strong quarter was a reflection on the resilience of its business model.