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[November 2009]
US Department of Energy Awards Momentive $4.5 Million Grant
Momentive Performance Materials (Albany, NY, USA) will receive US$4.5 million in funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to continue the development of breakthrough technology for the low cost production of LEDs used in solid state lighting (SSL) and for increased LED light source performance. LED lights can consume 75% less energy and have a longer lifetime than common lighting options, but LED-based lighting is currently more expensive to produce than conventional lighting.
“We are honored to be among the first recipients of this innovative funding program and its inspiring mission of working toward a low cost, secure and low carbon energy future for the US,” said Eric Thaler, Chief Technology Officer, Momentive Performance Materials. “The grant will allow us to help develop the commercial-scale technology, processes and equipment needed for the cost-effective, mass production of energy efficient LEDs. This, in turn, should help facilitate a game-changing transition from current lighting technology to solid-state lighting in this country and the rest of the world
“The transition to LED-based SSL would have enormous impact on everyday life, from substantial energy savings to revolutionary design and applications in general illumination.”
DOE has estimated that by 2025, with appropriate R&D funding, the displacement of incandescent and fluorescent lighting sources with SSL could result in a 29% decrease in national energy consumption for lighting in the USA. In addition to being more energy efficient, LED-based lighting is also more versatile than conventional lighting as it can be integrated into a variety of structures, components and design elements for innovative and widespread use.
Based on Momentive's platform technology and initiated by Momentive, the two-year energy research project brings together a team of companies that are expert in ammonothermal bulk gallium-nitride (GaN) crystal growth technology, high pressure/high temperature reactor development and LED device testing and development. Collaborating with Momentive on the award-winning project are Soraa Inc and Advanced Photonic Crystals LLC. Soraa was co-founded by world-leading experts in GaN materials and devices. Advanced Photonic Crystals LLC is an on-shore manufacturer of innovative laser and optical crystals with expertise in high-pressure autoclave engineering and crystal growth that is being brought to bear on this project.
ENDS