RTI’s technology, which was funded in part by the Department of Energy’s Solid-State Lighting program, centers around advancements in the nanoscale properties of materials to create nanofiber-based reflectors and photoluminescent nanofibers (PLN).
The company claims that when the two nanoscale technologies are combined, a high-efficiency lighting device is produced that is capable of generating in excess of 55 lumens of light output per electrical watt consumed.
The company added that the technology has demonstrated color rendering indices in excess of 90 for warm white, neutral white, and cool white illumination sources.
RTI is continuing development of this technology and is actively pursuing commercialization opportunities in the marketplace. It is anticipated that commercial products containing this technology will be available in three to five years.
Lynn Davis, director of nanoscale materials program at RTI, said: “By using flexible photoluminescent nanofiber technologies for light management, RTI has opened the door to the creation of new designs for solid-state lighting applications. This new class of materials can provide cost-effective, safe and efficient lighting solutions.
“Because lighting consumes almost one-fourth of all electricity generated in the United States, our technology could have a significant impact in reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The technology also does not contain mercury, which makes it more environmentally friendly and safer to handle than CFLs and other fluorescent lamps.”
