Press Release

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1 Million For The University of Rochester For Research Into Next Generation Lighting

Jan 15, 2010

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the University of Rochester has been awarded $1,239,071 through the Department of Energy’s solid-state lighting (SLL) awards.  These awards are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and will provide for research, development and deployment for SLL technologies.  The University of Rochester will gain access to funds specified for Core Technology Research, which will advance the technical knowledge of these lighting systems.   

“It is critical that we continue to make investments in new energy efficient technologies at U of R; it will help the environment and boost the region as a center of the job-creating new energy sector,” said Schumer. “These federal dollars will go a long way toward reducing the region’s carbon footprint and saving money for consumers on their electricity bills. I will continue to fight to secure funds that strengthen the region’s universities and help citizens use energy in a way that saves them money, creates jobs and protects the environment.”

“This is a great investment for Rochester,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This federal investment will help develop new technologies to cut our emissions and protect our environment, while supporting job creation and rebuilding our economy. I will continue working with Senator Schumer to make sure New York gets its fair share from Washington.”

The University of Rochester will use this funding to develop and utilize host materials for white phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs.  This project seeks to produce white OLEDs with less than 100 lumen per watt efficiency (100 lm/W) after light extraction enhancement and  more than a 10,000 hour operating time, by making a new class of emissive materials.

 The Department of Energy SLL awards for Core Technology Research will focus on advancing the technical knowledge base of solid-state lighting for general lighting purposes.  The projects will target improved efficiency and performance with reduced costs, which are all critical to the widespread deployment of solid-state lighting. 

This is the sixth round of DOE funding for solid-state lighting core technology research and product development, and the first time that DOE has funded solid-state lighting manufacturing projects.  This expanded focus is part of a new DOE initiative to accelerate the adoption of SSL technology through manufacturing improvements that save money and improve quality.  These efforts will also play an important role in encouraging U.S.-based manufacturing of solid-state lighting technologies, creating jobs and promoting America’s role as a global leader in energy efficiency.