Lighting the way towards a greener future
Research originally undertaken within the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Sheffield has led to the creation of a new company that is pioneering 'greener' alternatives to current lighting technology.
The University of Sheffield is at the forefront of research into greener forms of lighting, and recently formed Seren Photonics, an ultrahigh efficient light-emitting diode (LED) company, which has been formed under its exclusive agreement with the University of Sheffield. The company is majority owned by Fusion IP, the University's intellectual property company that turns world class research into business.
Driven by global warming, the impending energy crisis and environmental regulatory requirements, new technology is needed by the lighting industry to replace the incandescent bulbs that most countries have agreed to scrap by the middle of the decade.
Seren Photonics' patent pending technology expects to be at the forefront of developments that will meet this need, developing Seren LEDs that will have exceptional performance, efficiency and a significant reduction in the cost of manufacture, enabling ultrahigh efficient LEDs to be the first choice replacement for incandescent bulbs.
Seren Photonics is founded on the invention of Professor Tao Wang, Reader in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Professor Wang is leading a research team working on III-nitride semiconductor based optoelectronic devices. The research team has strong links with Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council National Centre for III-V Technologies located in Sheffield. This is a world-class research centre for III-V compound semiconductors, with comprehensive facilities for the fabrication of a wide range of semiconductor based optoelectronic devices. Professor Wang's novel processing technique combines nanoscience and fundamental physics to greatly increase the efficiency at which an LED converts energy into light.
Successful demonstrations of the technology have so far resulted in a doubling of the light output compared to untreated devices, which means that either much brighter lamps can be manufactured or that the power consumption of state-of-the-art lamps can be further reduced to a single watt.
Seren Photonic's revolutionary technology is targeted at the large and fast growing white LED markets such as back lighting for laptop computers and TVs, signs and displays as well as domestic and architectural lighting. This market is currently worth an estimated $5bn and is set to grow to $12bn by 2013.
Professor Tao Wang, said: "It is a great honour for me and my research team to realise our ambition to commercialise our technology. Fusion IP's commercial, managerial and financial support, combined with the support of the University and my department, have been vital for the creation of Seren. Seren Photonics hopes to unlock the full potential of nitride-based, ultrahigh efficient, white LEDs and complete the illumination revolution, we are currently experiencing."
Dr Carl Griffiths, Managing Director of Seren Photonics said: "This is an exciting technology and a great example of how the injection of scientific know-how and commercial sector skills can facilitate the conversion of Sheffield's world class IP pipeline into businesses with real value, both financial and social. Seren Photonics has the potential to revolutionise the illumination markets, be a key contributor to reducing green house gas emissions and realise a considerable return for all of its shareholders. We look forward to supporting the company as it grows and prospers."
For further information, please contact Professor Tao Wang at:
email : t.wang@sheffield.ac.uk
Suggested links
The Electronic and Photonic Molecular Materials group web page