I-Corps: Translation Potential of a Rare Earth-Free Micro Light-emitting Diode (LED) Lighting Platform

Award ID: 2627441

This I-Corps project is based on the development of lead-free and rare earth-free color-conversion materials for high-performance solid-state lighting. Current advanced lighting systems often depend on rare earth phosphors, while some emerging alternatives rely on toxic lead-containing materials. These limitations create challenges in supply-chain security, environmental safety, and long-term product design. This technology provides a new class of lead-free and rare earth-free optical materials that are able to deliver high-quality white light and can be fabricated using scalable methods. This may provide an alternative for manufacturers and developers of advanced displays, specialty lighting, medical devices, and optical communication hardware seeking optical functionality and a safe material. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of rare earth-free luminescent materials for advanced photonic applications. There is a growing need for luminescent materials that offer narrow-band emission, spectral tunability, and compatibility with compact devices, while reducing reliance on rare earth elements. This technology uses a combination of lead-free, earth-abundant emissive compounds, spectral engineering, and additive manufacturing-compatible optical architectures that enable direct integration into micro-light-emitting diode (LED) and other compact device substrates. Laboratory studies have demonstrated tunable emission, promising spectral properties, and compatibility with scalable fabrication workflows. This technology may have applications in micro-LED displays, augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) systems, specialty lighting, optical communication, and health-related devices and advance high-performance photonic technologies. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Program Director: Ruth Shuman