Greener alternative to compact florescent blubs

CFLs may be a transitional technology, in the process of replacing incandescent bulbs, and then in turn being replaced by these newer bulbs with no mercury in them, so no need for a hazmat team if a bulb breaks. [Link]

Instead of heating a filament like in an incandescent bulb, or sending a current through mercury vapor as in a fluorescent, Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESL) bulbs use accelerated electrons to stimulate the phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb, making the surface glow.

The result? Bulbs that give the same quality as incandescent lighting but use less energy. And unlike CFLs, no mercury is used (and later, thrown out). There's no pricing yet, but Vu1 says they’ll be similar to CFLs — pricier than incandescents but not LED-pricier — when they debut in mid-2009.