Blue LEDs produce light by combining positive and negative charges within a gallium nitride crystal, resulting in blue photons. They were improved in 1990 with increased light output. Blue LEDs are made through a difficult process of growing gallium nitride to form a P-N junction. They are advantageous as they are environmentally friendly, durable, and operate at low power consumption. However, they are also difficult and expensive to produce initially. Blue LEDs are used in screens, lighting, sterilization, and to make white LEDs.