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Cutting Edge Technology: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology faculty members and students will be part of multidisciplinary teams that will focus on developing novel materials, device technology, and systems applications to further the understanding and proliferation of "smart lighting" technologies.
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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is among six U.S. colleges that will play a role in developing next-generation lighting under an $18.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation which supports a “Smart Lighting” initiative to supplant the common light bulb with devices that are smarter, greener and ripe for innovation.
The Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Smart Lighting will be led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (N.Y.) with partners at Boston University and the University of New Mexico.
As an outreach partner, Rose-Hulman's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will receive approximately $500,000 over a five-year period to develop course materials to teach students about light-emitting diode (LED) technologies that could one day change the way the world is illuminated. Rose-Hulman will also support implementation of courses that could open doors to a diverse spectrum of new applications impacting everything from biotechnology and transportation to computer networking and displays.
Joining Rose-Hulman as outreach partners are Howard University (Washington, D.C.) and Morgan State University (Baltimore, Md.). Additionally, Chonbuk National University in Korea; National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan; Taiwan National University; and Vilnius University in Lithuania will support the Smart Lighting ERC with expertise and international perspectives.
"Rose-Hulman is honored to participate alongside some of the world’s most elite schools on this project to advance ‘Smart Lighting.’ Creating energy-saving technologies fits perfectly with our ambition to do more in the areas of sustainability and energy,” states Rose-Hulman President Gerald S. Jakubowski. “It is especially gratifying to see student activity focused on a project that will have an enduring impact on future generations.
“Sustainability, energy and the environment are among the Grand Challenges presented earlier this year by the National Academy of Engineers. They are key elements in Rose-Hulman's academic master plan as well. 'Smart Lighting' is a terrific example of academic expertise working to address real human needs. We look forward to a productive partnership," the president said.
At the heart of “Smart Lighting” are powerful techniques to control the basic properties of light. Recent breakthroughs have allowed researchers to better control almost every aspect of light, opening doors to a diverse spectrum of new applications impacting everything from biotechnology and transportation to computer networking and displays.
Rose-Hulman faculty members and students will be part of multidisciplinary teams that will focus on developing novel materials, device technology, and systems applications to further the understanding and proliferation of smart lighting technologies, according to Fred Berry, head of Rose-Hulman’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Along with broadening the knowledge base of "Smart Lighting," the ERC will serve as a hub for commercializing related technology, where students and academic researchers work side-by-side with companies -- large and small -- to test, validate and bring new products to the marketplace.
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