US Commits $14.8M to LED Lighting Research

Latest funding intended to advance both inorganic and organic forms of solid-state lighting, and reduce the cost of the technologies.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded another $14.8 million in funding for development projects aimed at advancing solid-state lighting technologies.

The latest round is the DOE’s seventh to be focused on the core technology of LED lighting, and the second to include awards directly aimed at improving manufacturing.

Although LEDs have already made major inroads into some commercial lighting applications, where the extra up-front cost of the technology can typically be recouped inside two years, it is widely acknowledged that a significant cost reduction is still required for uptake in the most cost-sensitive applications, such as residential and office lighting.

Meanwhile, three academic institutions and a start-up company will share $4.3 million made available for core technology research, which is intended to fill key technology gaps.

Source: LED Professional