DOE Research Call: Solid State Lighting Core Technologies
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $7.5 million core technology research (round 5) funding opportunity as part of its Solid State Lighting (SSL) program.
The Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Building Technologies (BT) Program, is seeking applications for applied research in the Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Core Technologies Program. DOE has set aggressive and ambitious goals for SSL Research and Development (R&D): By 2025, to develop advanced solid-state lighting technologies that, compared to conventional lighting technologies, are much more energy efficient, longer lasting, and cost-competitive. The focus of this Research Call, is to support applied research in certain key technical areas by fostering a collaborative atmosphere favorable to overcoming the significant technical challenges that restrict the application of SSL today to only relatively low luminous output products.
Significant progress has been made in the performance of solid-state lighting. Products are just now reaching the lighting market. However, these products have yet to reach the full potential of solid-state lighting. Significant technical challenges remain to the adoption of viable SSL. The technical challenges that impede penetration into mainstream general illumination markets are complex and require the combined resources of many researchers and perhaps, the unique research tools found only at a limited number of universities, National Laboratories and research institutions. It may be difficult to overcome these critical technical challenges without a focused Government initiative. This is partly because the research may be judged too risky for industry to undertake alone. Thus, the collaborations sought under this Research Call will help mitigate or reduce the level of technical risk by providing significant financial resources.
Core Technology Research involves applied research efforts to seek more comprehensive knowledge about a subject. These projects fill technology gaps, provide enabling knowledge or data, and represent a significant advance in our knowledge base. A subsequent funding opportunity announcement will solicit applications from interested entities for product development. Product applications will systematically use the knowledge gained from basic or applied research to develop or improve commercially viable materials, devices, or systems.
Some Facts:
Approximately $7.5 million dollars is expected to be available for new awards under this Research Call, funded over multiple government fiscal years.
DOE anticipates making approximately 5-10 awards this fiscal year under this Research Call. However, the Government reserves the right to fund, in whole or in part, any, all, or none of the proposals submitted in response to this Research Call and will award that number of instruments which serves the public purpose and is in the best interest of the Government. In addition, the Government reserves the right to make “conditional selections” in the event that future funding should become available.
DOE anticipates that awards will not exceed the amount set forth below. However, applicants are not encouraged to try to equal these estimates but should offer logical work plans and appropriate costs:
Project Period Length Maximum Federal Share
12 months $ 600,000
12 - 24 months $1,200,000
24 – 36 months $1,800,000
For additional information visit http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/ or download http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/PDFs/SSLResearchCall2008_NT04346.pdf.
