You are here

Advanced Phosphor Technologies For Energy Efficient Lighting And Energy Harvesting

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-08ER85146
Agency Tracking Number: N/A
Amount: $749,988.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2009
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2012-08-14
Small Business Information
351 Thornton Road Suite 130
Lithia Springs, GA 30122
United States
DUNS: 025261269
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Christopher Summers
 Dr.
 (404) 664-5008
 chris@phosphortech.com
Business Contact
 Christopher Summers
Title: Dr.
Phone: (404) 664-5008
Email: chris@phosphortech.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Although fluorescent and incandescent lighting consumes >50% of the lighting energy budget, they are relatively inefficient, losing ~37% and 85%, respectively, of their energy to the IR. Thus, phosphors that could efficiently up-convert IR radiation to visible light would have a significant impact on lamp efficiency and design. This project will develop technology to increase the efficiency of upconversion phosphors by more than an order of magnitude: from ~ 5% to 60% or higher. Phase I demonstrated, both experimentally and theoretically, that an upconverting nanophosphor could improve up-conversion efficiency by a factor of 4 (experiment) or by a factor greater than 10 (theory) compared to conventional particles. In these nanostructures, both the sensitizer and activator doping were confined to two-dimensioal layers, thus dramatically enhancing upconversion efficiency while simultaneously reducing sensitizer-defect interactions. In Phase II, these nanostructured materials will be encapsulated to achieve enhanced performance that is close to the maximum theoretical efficiency. Unwanted radiative losses will be inhibited by incorporating these structures into Bragg resonator or photonic crystal structures. Finally, a low-cost, high-volume, automated manufacturing process will be developed. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The nanophosphors should have applicability to all existing lamp products, including incandescent, tungsten-halogen, and all types of fluorescents lamps. Potentially the technology could result in an annual national energy saving (commercial plus residential) of 0.979 quads, which translates into a reduction of 15.99 million metric tonnes of carbon. Additionally, the technology could significantly enhance the performance of solar cells by folding more of the solar spectrum into the operational range of the power cell.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government