Project Title:

Monolithic Solid State Plant Lighting Units

Quantum Devices, Inc.
P.O. Box 100; 112 Orbison St.
Barneveld, WI 53507

93-1  15.07   3000    __      AMOUNT REQUESTED $70,000.00

Monolithic Solid State Plant Lighting Units

Abstract:

Development of a more energy efficient plant irradiance source with
high levels of safety, reliability, small volume and mass, and low
maintenance would enhance basic plant science research in space and
serve as key technology for a Closed Ecological Life Support
System(CELSS). Recent advances in semiconductor technology led to
development of light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of high
irradiance with electrical efficiencies at least equivalent to
other lamps currently used as plant light sources. The LED has
other characteristics, such as safety, reliability, long life, and
low mass and volume, making it a very desirable irradiance source
for space applications. Commercially available LEDs designed as
indicator lamps are not entirely satisfactory for plant lighting.
Proposed research would fabricate and evaluate alternate methods of
mounting semiconductor chips to provide significant electrical
efficiencies when operated at high current inputs with conventional
discrete LEDs. Increased electrical efficiency would relate to
improved heat dissipation from the chips and the geometric
dispersion of photons emitted from semiconductor chips. In addition
to space applications, highly efficient LED lighting units would
find extensive terrestrial commercial applications for hydroponic
plant growing operations, household ornamental plant growing, and
plant photobiological research.

A plant lighting system having improved electrical conversion
efficiencies would find extensive commercial application in various
horticultural and agricultural operations. Such applications range
from the emerging technology of controlled environment agriculture
(CEA) where large areas (acres) of food and ornamental plants are
grown to household ornamental plant culture. CEA will play an
important role in propagation of plant materials developed.

High efficiency plant lighting; LED Array Fabrication; LEDs