Thermal Management for High-Brightness LEDs

High-brightness (HB) light emitting diodes (LEDs) have demonstrated promise for general illumination in commercial and household applications. These systems offer up to 75% savings in electric power consumption over conventional lighting systems. However, realizing the full potential of this new and highly efficient light source requires major improvements in cooling the LED chip and the LED package, in order to prevent early degradation in light output and catastrophic failures. This project will develop and demonstrate a novel ¿active heat spreader¿ (AHS) which efficiently removes heat from the LED and allows the diode junction to operate at a reduced, safer temperature, thereby extending LED lifespan and reliability. Integrated HB-LED assemblies with AHS aimed at specific product types will be developed for early introduction to the market. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The innovative AHS developed by this project should extend LED life by a factor of 2 or more while enabling at least 10% higher LED light output. Availability of this high-performance thermal management device promises to accelerate replacement of inefficient incandescent lights (especially in recessed light applications) by LED-based lighting and, thereby, potentially save $5.3 billion or more in electricity costs.