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Efficient, Incandescent Visible Light Produced by Improved Boride and Nitride Filament Radiation--Foster-Miller, Inc., 350 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA  02451-1196; 781-684-4183, www.foster-miller.com
Mr. Ronald G. Roy, Principal Investigator, rroy@foster-miller.com 
Mr. Ross R. Olander, Business Official, sdorsey@foster-miller.com 
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83662
Amount:  $99,966

Although artificial lighting consumes 20 percent of U.S. energy production, it has low efficiencies – from 10 percent for incandescent lamps to 30 percent efficient (high cost) lamps.  This project will develop a unique process to produce high efficiency, porous ceramic, incandescent light bulb filaments with tailorable spectral emission characteristics.  The process will be based on a previously-developed, proprietary technique for producing porous boride and nitride materials with high thermal shock and tailorable emission performance.  Phase I will use the proprietary technique to produce robust, selective emitter components for lamp applications. Efficacy will be proven by building working demonstration lamps with 400-700 nm spectral emission, low-power/high-output heating elements, and suitable electrical connections.  The lamps will be characterized for lumens/watt, power consumption, wall temperature, and life expectancy.  Phase II will optimize materials and processes and demonstrate repeatability in high lamp performance and cost effectiveness.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee:  Commercial applications for this technology should exist in efficient lighting products for industrial/residential applications and igniters for gas/oil fired industrial/residential furnaces and appliances.