The latest funding opportunity from the DOE is for round 4 of the SSL Manufacturing program, supporting efforts to develop LED and OLED manufacturing strength in the US.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is offering up to $11 million in funding through its solid-state lighting (SSL) program to support the existing Manufacturing Research and Development effort. Successful projects will help achieve the program’s goal to establish the US as a global SSL manufacturing leader.

This will mark the fourth round of funding for SSL manufacturing; the recipients of round-3 funding, including Cree, KLA Tencor and k-Space Associates, were announced in June 2012.

The manufacturing part of the SSL program is directed by the SSL Manufacturing R&D roadmap, which was updated in August this year.

Under the current funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000792), DOE seeks applications for SSL manufacturing R&D projects that will achieve significant cost reductions through improvements in manufacturing equipment, processes, or monitoring techniques.

Projects should address the technical challenges that must be overcome before prices fall to a level where SSL will become competitive with existing lighting on a first-cost basis.

By advancing these activities, the DOE says that it can “accelerate progress toward creating a US-led market for high-efficiency light sources that save more energy, reduce costs, and have less environmental impact than conventional light sources.”

The department will select up to six projects in the following areas:

• LED luminaire/module manufacturing
• LED test and inspection equipment
• OLED deposition equipment
• OLED materials manufacturing.

Applications are due by February 21, 2013. More details on how to apply can be found on the DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website.

About the Author 

Tim Whitaker is an Editorial Consultant with LEDs Magazine.