topic Research

NanoLux - More Light with Less Energy

Many everyday devices in our homes, in cars or the mobile phone require novel sources of light in order to facilitate user-friendly and safe operation. The application of LEDs (light emitting diodes) is increasing enormously. However, they are not yet bright enough for applications in general illumination or as front lights in vehicles.

Traditional light bulbs have an efficiency of only 5%. However, their light is similar to the light of the sun, which we perceive as pleasant. They therefore still hold a very large market share. Modern low-energy bulbs have good efficiency, but at the same time their light is unpleasant for human eyes and they have a large-volume form.

The light yield of semiconductors can now be increased drastically by using nanotechnology. Modern nanotechnology therefore provides a source of light which has the benefits of conventional light sources. Light is to be produced efficiently and in a pleasant colour from semiconductor material - similar to computer chips.

German companies are in an excellent position to further strengthen their position on the world market for lighting by using nanotechnology. When they are successful, the position of lighting manufacturers and of the many small and medium-sized manufacturers of lamps in Germany will be improved on the world market, which stands for €12 billion annually for general lighting alone and has increases in turnover of 10 to 15%. The good position of the companies and the very good access to the world markets must be maintained and enhanced. 7,000 people are currently employed in this segment.

A prerequisite for success is the rapid transfer to industry of the internationally recognized research results of German research institutions.

Objectives and Measures

The objective is to achieve an efficiency of over 50% of white LEDs as a new source of light. Furthermore, light is to be made available with a free choice of form, colour and brightness, as required. This is not possible with traditional lighting.

The potential in Germany is to be developed by means of the funding of interdisciplinary collaborative projects under industrial leadership. These collaborative projects are to include companies and institutes along the entire value added chain, from diode manufacturers to lighting manufacturers to users. It is planned to network the collaborations within an overall strategy. Specific priorities of research and development are the increased efficiency of LEDs by means of improved epitaxy - i.e. the growth of semiconductor layers in chip production -, the nanostructuring of chips and research on efficient fluorescent substances for the generation of white light.

Potential partners in collaborative projects are LED manufacturers, automobile manufacturers and suppliers, users and research institutes