May 13 2010
Panelists from Cree, Laird Technologies, LEDIL and Texas Instruments will discuss the roles of the major components in lighting reliability and life cycles during Digi-Key’s PURE Lighting Technology Symposium Thursday, May 13 at PURE Nightclub Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The theme for the panel discussion regarding the reality of a 50,000-hour lifetime for LEDs will be discussed in detail by Mark McClear, Cree; Tomi Kuntize, LEDIL; Geoffrey Potter, Texas Instruments; and Dr. Rich Hill, Laird Technologies.
Mark McClear is Cree’s director of business development and solid-state lighting, and is responsible for applications engineering and new business development in Cree’s LED components division. Tomi Kuntize is CEO and co-owner of the LED-optics company LEDIL. Geoffrey Potter serves as a power technologist for Texas Instruments’ power management business. Dr. Rich Hill serves as the vice president of technology at Laird Technologies, and is primarily involved in new product development and strategic growth of the Laird Performance Materials Division.
McClear will discuss the reliability of LED emitters and how the overall LED lighting design can affect the reliability of an LED. Kuntize will talk about the effect optics has on lighting reliability and performance. Potter will discuss surrounding supporting components, concentrating on solder joints between the LED array and its heat sink as likely failure points overlooked by designers. Dr. Hill will address thermal issues, specifically how heat must be managed to preserve the LED lifetime and reliability.
“The panelists for Digi-Key’s PURE Lighting Technology Symposium are considered experts in lighting technology,” said Mark Zack, Digi-Key’s director of semiconductor product. “During the panel discussion, they will provide in-depth knowledge of the lighting industry gleaned from years of experience. We are excited to provide this opportunity for our lighting suppliers to interact with an audience of lighting designers, engineers, technicians, and electricians interested in the future of the lighting industry.”