Lead Performer: Lucent Optics Inc. – Sacramento, CA
DOE Total Funding: $999,979
Project Term: July 31, 2017 – August 1, 2019
Funding Type: SBIR

Project Objective

This project proposes to develop and offer for sale a novel wide-area luminaire technology that enables efficient and cost-effective combination of high-brightness LEDs and flexible light-guiding films. The use of a light-guiding film allows for creating a large-area distributed light source that emits soft and uniform glow without the glare typically associated with individual LEDs. Uniquely, the technology combines the low cost, high efficiency, and manufacturing maturity of inorganic LED technology with the flexible and ultrathin form and design flexibility characteristic of OLEDs. In Phase I, the feasibility of the technology was demonstrated, and Lucent Optics produced a number of functional prototypes of flexible lighting panels that met all of the performance targets – in particular, panel thicknesses below 1mm, bend radii below 50mm, brightness uniformity of 85%, and peak luminance from 5,000 cd/m2 to 20,000 cd/m2. During Phase II, Lucent Optics will scale the technology up to the size of real-world lighting fixtures and focus on further improving the overall panel performance and end-use product development.

Project Impact

This technology will dramatically reduce the material intensity, cost, energy consumption, and environmental impact of lighting fixtures and enable the eventual manufacture of ultrathin, flexible luminaires. With the subsequent commercialization efforts, Lucent plans to create and market a wide array of ultra-low-cost LED luminaires that have innovative shapes and attractive designs and could dramatically expedite the conversion of conventional lighting to SSL.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: James Brodrick, James.Brodrick@ee.doe.gov 
Lead Performer: Sergey Vasylyev, Lucent Optics Inc.