The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science has selected for award four Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)-Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposals targeting advances in solid-state lighting (SSL) technology. The FY15 Phase I Release 1 awards will explore the technical merit or feasibility of an innovative concept or technology.

The SBIR and STTR program seeks to increase the participation of small businesses in federal R&D. To learn more about this program, visit http://science.energy.gov/sbir/.

The SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 1 awards related to SSL are briefly described below:

SBIR Recipient: PhosphorTech Corporation
Title: Plasmonic-Enhanced High Light Extraction Phosphor Sheets for Solid-State Lighting
Summary: This project will investigate a new approach to maximizing the luminous efficacy of a phosphor-converting LED system, using high-quantum -yield red phosphors in combination with surface plasmon resonance, along with enhanced light-extraction efficiency – all embedded in the company’s emergent phosphor film technology.

SBIR Recipient: Lumisyn, LLC
Title: Nanocrystal-Based Phosphors with Enhanced Lifetime Stability
Summary: This project will modify the structure of a newly developed class of high-efficiency, non-toxic nanocrystals, to reduce the degree of oxidation thought to be the fundamental cause of poor lifetime, while maintaining its very good spectral and quantum efficiency properties at elevated temperature and optical flux.

SBIR Recipient: Triton Systems, Inc.
Title: Improved Light Extraction from GaN LEDs
Summary: In this project, Triton Systems will collaborate with North Dakota State University to modify and optimize a novel block copolymer system for application to specific performance and manufacturing improvements that include high-temperature stability, controlled curing, LED component compatibility, and optical clarity over the device lifetime.

SBIR Recipient: OLEDWorks, LLC
Title: Shorting Reduction Layer Process Development for OLED Lighting Panels
Summary: This project will attempt to elevate OLED panel reliability by investigating the underlying chemistry and physics that might be exploited to increase the performance of the short reduction layer through an understanding of the growth dynamics of shorts in OLED lighting panels.