A new research center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
funded by a five-year, $18.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, aims to
supplant the common light bulb with next-generation lighting
devices that are smarter, greener, and ripe for
innovation.
"Sustainability and energy efficiency are two key challenges
of our time, yet they also present rich opportunities," said
Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. "With innovation,
ingenuity, and a clear vision, the NSF-funded Smart Lighting
Center at Rensselaer will rewrite the rules for manipulating
light and help introduce these new green technologies to the
world. This project is a shining example of academia, the
federal and state governments, and industry working together to
advance the state of science and engineering, while creating
new opportunities for students, faculty, and businesses."
The Engineering Research Center for Smart Lighting will be
the only NSF engineering research center based in New York
state. Funded by the NSF, industry, New York state, and led by
Rensselaer with partners Boston University and the University
of New Mexico, the Smart Lighting Center will investigate and
develop light-emitting diode (LED) technologies that could one
day change the way we illuminate our world. Along with
significant energy savings for lighting homes and offices,
these technologies will open doors to a diverse spectrum of new
applications impacting everything from biotechnology and
transportation to computer networking and displays.
The project is expected to receive up to $50 million in
funding over the next 10 years. The bulk of this funding will
come from the NSF, with additional support from New York state,
Rensselaer, and 18 industrial partners. NSF funding began in
September with $3.25 million for the center's first year, a
figure forecast to increase over the next several years. New
York has committed $700,000 to the center's first year, and
first-year funding from industrial partners is expected to
approach nearly $1 million. Rensselaer is committing more than
$500,000 to help launch the center.
The new research center will concentrate on three primary
research thrusts, said E. Fred Schubert, Wellfleet Senior
Constellation Professor of Future Chips at Rensselaer, who
leads the center. A multidisciplinary team will focus on
developing novel materials, device technology, and systems
applications to further the understanding and proliferation of
smart lighting technologies.
Twenty faculty researchers from Rensselaer, along with 10
researchers from partners Boston University and the University
of New Mexico, will staff the new center. Students,
postdoctoral researchers, and visiting industry engineers will
also be regular contributors to the research conducted at the
Smart Lighting ERC.
"I am delighted to welcome RPI to the ERC 'family' as a lead
institution for the NSF ERC for Smart Lighting," said Lynn
Preston, the leader of the Engineering Research Centers Program
at NSF. "The Smart Lighting ERC is the first in our extensive
portfolio of ERCs in optics and electronics that focuses on
advancing LED technology for new lighting systems that will
have the capacity to deliver increased functionality in
displays, transportation, and communication systems with
significant savings in energy use. This ERC joins four other
new ERCs in the ERC Class of 2008, the start of the third
generation of over 50 ERCs established since 1985. Like
all ERCs, these Gen-3 ERCs will rest on the proven capacity of
ERCs to strengthen our economy by advancing knowledge and
technology and educating engineers who are leaders in advancing
technology."
"We applaud the researchers at RPI for this prestigious
award. Not only will this help the state and nation achieve our
energy efficiency objective, it will also advance our economic
objectives by establishing a technology leadership position in
an area with tremendous commercial opportunities," said New
York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation
Executive Director Edward Reinfurt.
"Our participation in this center offers a chance for our
engineering students and faculty to create energy-saving
technologies that will improve our society and create new
business opportunities," said University of New Mexico
President David Schmidly. "We are particularly excited that
this program will also have a strong focus on outreach, and we
anticipate that the new field of smart lighting will increase
the number and diversity of students entering science, math,
and engineering education."
"Smart Lighting offers the potential to reshape and advance
wireless communications technology," said Boston University
College of Engineering Dean Kenneth R. Lutchen. "We are very
proud and excited about the world-renowned photonics and
systems engineering faculty at Boston University that will
contribute their creativity and expertise to make this
technology a reality."
Along with broadening the knowledge base of smart lighting,
Schubert expects the center to be a hub for commercializing
related technology, where students and academic researchers
work side-by-side with companies large and small to test,
validate, and bring new products to the marketplace.
"This new center will energize the field of photonics, and
it reinforces the vision that smart light sources will soon
antiquate Thomas Edison's light bulb," Schubert said. "The
Smart Lighting ERC will also be a catalyst for developing and
realizing new, yet unexpected applications for photonics."
At the heart of smart lighting are powerful techniques to
control the basic properties of light. With recent
breakthroughs in the first true anti-reflective coating,
nano-emitter growth, in the unprecedented control of the
refractive index of materials, and the demonstration of the
first viable polarized LED-based light sources, researchers are
now better able to control almost every aspect of light.
"The capabilities of smart lighting surpasses and transcends
the abilities of conventional lighting," Schubert said. "With
smart lighting, we have absolute control over every aspect of
the light, from polarization to temporal modulation and
spectral composition. We can custom tailor a light source for
nearly any imaginable scientific or commercial
application."
By allowing humans to better support their natural circadian
rhythm, smart lighting holds the promise for reducing
individuals' dependency on sleep-inducing drugs, and even
reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.
Along with Rensselaer and core partners BU and UNM, outreach
partners for the new ERC are Howard University in Washington;
Morgan State University in Baltimore; and Rose Hulman Institute
of Technology in Terra Haute, Ind. Additionally, Chonbuk
National University in Korea; National Chiao Tung University in
Taiwan; Taiwan National University; and Vilnius University in
Lithuania will support the Smart Lighting ERC with expertise
and international perspectives.
The ERC's 18 industry partners, ranging from major lighting
companies to small start-up firms, were enlisted to help guide
strategic planning, spur innovation, and provide university
students with first-hand experience in entrepreneurship as well
as corporate research and development. To facilitate and
stimulate technology transfer, the ERC will also partner with
the Center for Economic Growth in Albany, N.Y., the
Optoelectronics Industry Development Association, and small
business incubators at each of the partner universities.
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