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Features: Feb. 4, 2002
A Brighter Future for LEDs
 Researchers
at Rensselaer's Lighting Research Center (LRC) are developing
advanced LEDs and other solid-state lighting technologies
that could ultimately replace today's conventional bulbs
for illuminating everything from homes to businesses, government
complexes, and airports.
Solid-state lighting systems, such as LEDs
(light-emitting diodes), are made from semiconductors. They
use far less energy and last longer than conventional lighting
in certain applications and are being used increasingly
in traffic signals, automotive lighting, and exit signs.
But they aren't bright enough to replace fluorescent and
incandescent lights.
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"The demand for lighting is increasing
every year. As we know, California couldn't meet energy
demand last year. LED systems could be one way to prevent
this from happening again."
—Nadarajah Narendran—
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The LRC, in collaboration with the University
of California-Santa Barbara, recently received a $3 million,
three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
to develop LEDs and other solid-state lighting devices that
emit high-quality white light, while maintaining energy
efficiency, longevity, and low production costs.
Solid-state lighting has the potential to
more than double the efficiency of today's lighting systems
and could save more than $98 billion in energy costs over
the next two decades, according to the DOE.
"The demand for lighting is increasing
every year," says Nadarajah Narendran, director of
research at the Lighting Research Center. "As we know,
California couldn't meet energy demand last year. LED systems
could be one way to prevent this from happening again."
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