Grant: Engage Grants Program

A new, emerging type of light bulb makes use of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These solid-state diodes require a very low level of electrical energy to produce of same intensity of light as that from traditional light sources. The cost of production of LEDs is low, and their long lifetime and low energy consumption makes them an attractive alternative to traditional sources of lighting. However, obtaining the desired warm white light from these LEDs requires the use of red and green phosphor materials. In this application we request funding for a start-up project in collaboration with CRS Electronics to produce nanoparticles of phosphors for use in making the blue light from LEDs warmer for use in a new generation of LED lamps. We shall produce nanoparticles of known and new phosphors based on pyrochlore structures by using the citrate synthesis and pyrolysis technique. Then we shall investigate the wavelength dependence of optical properties as a function of the particle size. Consequently, a prototype LED lamp will be manufactured with the help of CRS Electronics. The time required for this initial project is about six months. Afterward, our plan is to develop a four-year PhD graduate project to study new types of phosphorescent oxide ceramics.