Research

Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Scientific Advisory Board
Project List and Summary

SMART LIGHTING research is organized in three major Research Thrusts: (1) System Applications (2) Device Technology and (3) Novel Materials.

Core components of the Systems Applications Thrust are three testbeds that concern bio-imaging systems, indoor and outdoor communication systems, and energy-aware lighting and display systems. The systems applications will demonstrate unprecedented functionalities and capabilities that are not feasible with conventional light sources. The functionality of the systems testbeds is enabled by the unique controllability of the SMART LIGHTING devices that are being developed under the Device Technology Thrust. Accordingly the Device Thrust focuses on the controllability and efficiency of smart lighting devices. The Novel Materials Thrust, through innovation in nano-technology and metamaterials, supports the Device and Systems thrusts.

An example of the Systems thrust is a new way to observe live cell mitosis with multiple-color fluorophores over long periods to gain unprecedented amount of information on cellular processes under various environmental conditions. This is achieved by optimally adjusting the light spectra and dosage based on the cell image feedback to avoid photo-damage of the cells and photo-bleaching of the fluorophores. An example of the Device thrust is the focus on efficiency droop, which is the single most important problem in solid-state lighting technology. New approaches have made the SMART LIGHTING ERC team the leading force in low-droop devices. Finally, an example of the Materials thrust is a nano-column emitter which promises low defect densities as well as high light-extraction efficiency.

The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer is a close partner with the SMART LIGHTING ERC. It provides unique resources and capabilities in lighting research, education, and industrial outreach. The LRC participates in the ERC research related to lighting and health and supports ERC in technology innovation and commercialization.

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. Members of the SAB are listed below, please click here for member profiles.

Kevin Dowling, Philips Color Kinetics

Jung Han, Yale University

Y.S. Liu, Taiwan Tsinghua University

Greenfield Sluder,University of Massachusetts Medical School

Peter So, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jeff Tsao, Sandia National Lab (SAB Chair)

Project List and Summary

Systems Thrust (SIC: Dutta, Sanderson)
SPA1	Bioimaging (Wen) spA1.1:Adaptive Illumination for Live Cell Microscopy (Khodjakov) spA1.2:Lensless Microscope (Hersee) spA1.3:Imaging Interferometric Microscope (Brueck)
SPA2	Biosensors (Ruane): spA2.1: Resonant Cavity Imaging Biosensor (Ruane) spA2.2: High-Throughput Biosensor using Plasmonic Nanostructures(Altug) spA2.3: Water Contamination Detection and Measurement using UV LED based fluorometry. (Sawyer)
SPB1	High-Bandwidth Density Visual Light Communications (Carruthers): SPB1.1: Indoor Dual-Use Communications and Lighting (Carruthers) SPB1.2:Physical Characterization and Modeling of Free Space Optics (Dutta) spB1.3: In-Door RF/LED Dual Mode Communication (Huang)
SPB2	Mobility in Visual Light Communications (Little): SPB2.1: Multiaccess Communications under a Dual-Use Model (Little) SPB2.2: Line of Sight Tracking in Multi-Channel FSO Communication (Hella) spB2.3: Energy-Harvesting for Distributed Dual-Use Systems (Parsa)
SPC1	Smart Lighting for Personal Health (Rea): SPC1.1: Study of Circadian Rhythms and Health (Figueiro) spC1.2: Systems Modeling & Control of Circadian Rhythm and Entrainment (Wen)
SPD1	Adaptive Lighting and Display (Shur): SPD1.1:Adaptive Lighting Systems with Feedback (Shur) spD1.2: Distributed Ad Hoc Lighting Systems (Sanderson)
Devices Thrust (Lin)
DP1	NanoLED/Photonic Crystal LED (Lin)
DP2	Thin Film Phosphor LED (Dutta)
DP3	Polarized LED/Polarization-Matched LED (Wetzel)
Materials Thrust (Hersee)
MP1	Coaxial Heterostructure Nano-wire LED (Hersee) MP1.1: Nanowire device design and fabrication (Hersee) MP1.2: Nanopatterning for device fabrication (Brueck) [Link: DP1] MP1.3: Test device characterization (Wetzel) MP1.4: Cubic GaN Materials Development (Brueck)
Linked Device/Materials Project (Hersee, Dutta)
MP2/DP4	Nanoparticles, Nanophosphors, and Encapsulation (Hersee) Linked to Phosphor LED (Dutta) MP2.1:Nanophosphors (Osinski) MP2.2:Nanoparticles (Schadler-Siegel) MP2.3:Low-Refractive Index Materials as Omni-Directional Reflectors (Plawsky-Gill)
Economic and Social Impacts (S. Sanderson/Simons) :
EP1	Topical Survey of International Patents in Solid-State Lighting (S.Sanderson/Simons)