Skip to Content
Skip to main content

Laser Lighting for Algae growth and Water for the World  (LIGHTWAY)

Funder: InnovateUK
Duration: April 2017 - March 2020

High efficiency solid state lighting (SSL), in the form of LEDs, is becoming the main light source for general lighting. Unfortunately LEDs cannot operate at high power without loss of efficiency, a problem which does not affect laser diode light sources. Algae growth and horticulture are areas where maximal efficiency with an optimal light spectrum is critical to achieving the lowest running costs. Laser diodes, correctly heat managed and integrated with spectrum selected, low cost phosphors capable of handling high light intensities, and integrated optics for channelling and spreading the light, offer a means of developing next generation light sources for plant growth. The project will integrate the technology components, including laser diode sources, their power supplies and heat management, new phosphor materials, designs for optical light guides and light spreading including the phosphors and their heat management, along with production techniques and integrate them into systems for submersible, full volume algae growth and area illumination plant horticulture. The prototypes will be installed and monitored in test sites for algae growth for waste water treatment and plant growth in an indoor farm.

People

Name Telephone Email Office
Professor Jack Silver Professor Jack Silver
Honorary Professor CEDPS Design
E: jack.silver@brunel.ac.uk
jack.silver@brunel.ac.uk
Professor Karnik Tarverdi Professor Karnik Tarverdi
Honorary Professor
T: +44 (0)1895 266124
E: karnik.tarverdi@brunel.ac.uk
+44 (0)1895 266124 karnik.tarverdi@brunel.ac.uk Wolfson Centre 042
Professor George Fern Professor George Fern
Academic Director/Professor
(Principal investigator)
T: +44 (0)1895 265628
E: george.fern@brunel.ac.uk
+44 (0)1895 265628 george.fern@brunel.ac.uk Bragg Building 017

Outputs

Fern, GR., Silver, J., Tarverdi, K., Ireland, TG., Meng, F. and Dehouche, Z. (2017) 'Development of nano-phosphors films for polymer protection and plant growth'. Proceedings of the International Display Workshops. pp. 1288 - 1291. ISSN: 1883-2490

Conference paper

Brunel University London
Kingston Lane
Uxbridge
Middlesex UB8 3PH

Tel: +44 (0)1895 274000

Fax: +44 (0)1895 232806

Security: +44 (0)1895 255786

Directions to the campus

Brunel.ac.uk uses cookies to make our site better for you. By clicking on or navigating this site, you accept our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.

Close this message