Where $60 MILLION dollars in LED Research is going…
Blue LED + Yellow + Orange = ?
So where does $60 million in LED research going? It seems a large chunk of grants from the department of Energy is going towards improving the 3 things that we’ve been talking about for a while: Price, light output and color.
- Price - Bringing down manufacturing costs and ultimate end costs to the consumer by improving the materials used and finding cheaper alternatives to creating LEDs.
- Light Output - Focusing on creating LED dies that are brighter, lenses that don’t cut light output and cover the LED “dots” that people see in bulbs and fixture, as well as creating fixtures that can be used by consumers that are bright enough to replace a 100W incandescent bulb.
- Improving the color output - Researching new phosphor materials (which are currently being used in fluorescent lighting as well) that make LED light “warmer”
Looks like CREE, Philips and GE are receiving the bulk of grant money. It will be interesting to see what they can come up with as well as what the future brings for LED lighting… My question is how long until all this great research is APPLICABLE to us? 2,3,4 years? Let’s hope not…
Source: Popular Mechanics
Posted January 28, 2010 - Filed In Eternal Leds, LED News, Technology
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Here is my take away from the recent DOE Transformation in Lighting Workshop last week in Raleigh, What is yours?
The large number of various companies and high level Dr., PHD types who are involved in advancing the SSL, LED lighting technology. How most have never been involved in lighting or fixture business prior. Comparing that to the small number of HID and fluorescent companies and technical types from past years — holly smokes we are in for a change with many companies developing frustration.
Big picture as discussed by Naomi Miller and Gary Trott is the missing part of how companies must become more aware of the lighting (luminaire) fixture market. Watch, there will be some great products and technologies developed BUT will fail to get installed because they missed or forgot the need to SELL their products through the CRAZY supply chain of lighting.
I like to think of this technology as a digital computer which happens to emit light, being able to use our wildest imagination on control and lighting results. The reality of ART and SCIENCE for lighting will be pushed.