Aug 27 2010
The USA-based SiC Systems has won a $200,000 grant from the US National Science Foundation (NSF), to collaborate with the Smart Lighting ERC (Engineering Research Center) for the development of high efficient LEDs.
The combination of the Smart Lighting ERC’s ability and SiC’s capability to manufacture 6” large-area silicon carbide substrates will result in the production of high performance LEDs than the LEDs on sapphire substrates.
The blue GaN (gallium nitride) LEDs are extensively utilized in solid-state lighting applications. However, there are barriers still existing in the development of efficient GaN LEDs at various wavelengths.
Professor Christian Wetzel and his team are currently finding new methods to make GaN achieve higher efficiency levels at a wider operating wavelength range than the wavelength obtained with traditional LED growth using sapphire substrates.
The new partnership will also engage and train young researchers at the ERC and SiC Systems. SiC Systems expects that the collaboration will generate 25 new jobs.