Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center

Mission Statement

The Smart Lighting ERC will develop light sources with adaptive functionality to transform the way that society uses light, through revolutionary advances in health care, communications, transportation, and energy.

Lead University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Core Partner Universities
Boston University

University of New Mexico

Outreach Partner Universities
Howard Universitiy

Morgan State University

Rose Hulman Institute of Technology

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a Generation Three (Gen-3) National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center – a program that has had a 20 year history of success. The Smart Lighting ERC is also the only ERC located in New York State.

With our core partners at Boston University and the University of New Mexico, as well as our outreach partners at Howard University, Morgan State University, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the Smart Lighting ERC will transform the way light is used and perceived.

Our innovations will not only transform the lighting and related industries, but will also create the need for new generations of engineers who are educated in the creative development and application of smart lighting systems.

We envision the creation of:

Smart Lighting Systems that are fully controllable and tunable to enable adaptation to specific requirements, environments, and conditions.
Smart Lighting Systems that will achieve energy conservation through optimal control of efficient, non-toxic, benign, and durable solid state light sources.

Smart light sources and advanced lighting systems will result in tremendous benefits to society including, but not necessary limited to:

Fundamental advances in live cell bioimaging and biomolecule sensing
Brilliant displays with high efficiency and large color gamut
Increased safety in transportation systems through the implementation of ambient intelligence
Novel modes of communication, networking, and sensing
Reduced pollution and global warming through energy conserving, mercury-free lighting.
Reduced dependency on sleep-inducing pharmaceuticals, reduced cancer risk, and support of the natural circadian rhythm, thereby enabling higher productivity and better quality of life

Advances will be enabled through the systematic exploration and development of smart lighting principles in three integrated research thrusts: Novel Materials, Device Technology, and System Applications and Impacts. Please click here for details about our research programs and projects.

External advisory boards:
Scientific Advisory Board: The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Smart Lighting Center consists of a distingushed and accomplished group of researchers providing input and guidance on the scientific merit of research projects and direction of the center.
Industrial Advisory Board: The Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) of the Smart Lighting Center consists of representatives of industrial members of the center providing input and guidance on the industrial relevance and commercialization potential of research projects and direction of the center. The IAB also conducts reviews of the center strategic plan and operation.