An LED is a layered semiconducting device. Electrons
crossing the p-n junction barrier potential give up some or all
of their energy - not as thermal energy (heat) but as a light
photon. LED's are infrared, red, green or blue depending on the band (energy) gap.
The white LED's shown actual size are blue LED's with a phosphor
that emits white light when excited. They are 98% efficient,
have a life of 50 years and will eventually replace old style
light bulbs.