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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center (LRC) will hold a three-day, hands-on seminar September 23-25, 2008, to teach industry professionals how to incorporate light-emitting diodes (LEDs) into lighting applications. The LED Lighting Institute will include updated technical content based on the latest industry developments.

Through workshops and lab sessions, participants learn the basics of LED technology while building an understanding of LED system integration issues involving the electrical, optical, and thermal characteristics of LEDs. Participants also learn how to measure and evaluate LEDs and LED systems, and have the opportunity to compare LED technologies from a variety of manufacturers. The program culminates with the participants designing, building, and evaluating their own LED fixtures.

LRC experts work side-by-side with LED Lighting Institute participants in a small-class setting designed to help them learn more about this quickly evolving lighting technology.

“We keep the program fresh with updated technical content and enhanced LED system design and evaluation sessions,” said Dan Frering, LRC manager of education.

According to Frering, the program is designed to have participants choose and evaluate all necessary LED system components including heat sinks, LEDs, and drivers from a variety of manufacturers. Then participants will have the opportunity to compare the systems side-by-side, examining the thermal, photometric, and color properties for each system.

“The workshop offers objective information on current LED technology so participants walk away with realistic expectations for using LEDs in place of traditional light sources,” said N. Narendran, Ph.D., director of research and head of the Solid-State Lighting Program at the LRC.  “In addition, the participants are taught methods for measuring and quantifying LED performance.”

This intensive workshop continues to grow in popularity, according to Frering, so he suggests early registration. Those who sign up by August 15, 2008, will receive a discount on the registration fee.

Upon completion of the LED Lighting Institute, participants will earn three continuing education units and will receive a Continuing Education Certificate in LED lighting technology. More than 500 people from around the globe have completed the course to date. The program is held in the spring and fall of each year, and enrollment is limited to 30 students. For more information or to register for the September session, visit the LED Lighting Institute Web site at www.lrc.rpi.edu/education/outreachEducation/LEDInstitute.asp.

LED Lighting Institute Sponsors
The LED Lighting Institute has gained notable support from sponsors who see the benefit of LED lighting education. The main sponsor is the Alliance for Solid-State Illumination Systems and Technologies (ASSIST), a collaboration of researchers, manufacturers, and government organizations designed to identify and reduce major technical hurdles and help LED technology gain widespread use in lighting applications. ASSIST sponsors include Bridgelux; China Solid State Lighting Alliance; Cree, Inc.; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); GE Lumination; Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI); Lighting Science Group; Lite-On; NeoPac Lighting; New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); OSRAM SYLVANIA; Permlight; Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions; Photonics Cluster (UK)/The Lighting Association; Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and USG. Additional sponsors include Borealis; Lamina; Nichia America Corporation; Opto Technology, Inc.; and Philips Lumileds Lighting.