Phosphor-centric light generation overtakes role of LEDs in boosting efficacy, color quality, lumen output

HERNDON, Va. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — April 28, 2010 — Renaissance Lighting, a leading innovator in the development and manufacture of energy-efficient, ultra long-life solid-state luminaires, is coming to LIGHTFAIR International 2010 to introduce its most significant technological breakthrough in solid-state LED lighting: the adoption of a clear liquid phosphor as the primary light source in LED luminaires – a move that initiates a radical departure from the present-day use of high-brightness LEDs that have dominated the solid-state LED lighting industry.

By combining the company’s patented Constructive Occlusion^® with newly created proprietary techniques and a sourced, clear, colorless phosphor, the promise of the most energy-efficient light – the equivalent of up to 100 lumens-per-watt out of the fixture – is a virtual reality. This revolutionary technological shift away from high-brightness LEDs as the sole source of light in both solid-state luminaires and lamps will produce the lighting industry’s best white-light color quality, best efficacy and highest optical efficiencies.

Renaissance Lighting’s technological breakthrough surpasses the phosphor-enhanced approaches of today whereby high-brightness LEDs remain as the primary light source and a yellow-tinted phosphor is used to help boost the LEDs’ light output. This combination does not boost efficiencies as effectively and creates an unattractive appearance when the fixture is powered off.

“Combining our proprietary know-how with our patented Constructive Occlusion^® optical technology has resulted in superior gains in lumen efficacy, while minimizing color shift and light absorption,” said Renaissance Lighting CEO, Barry Weinbaum. “There will be no need to sacrifice appearance for performance, especially when the fixture is powered off – as compared to other approaches – thanks to the use of a proprietary phosphor material. Renaissance Lighting defined ’THE LOOK’ of solid-state lighting by cost-effectively hiding the harshness of LEDs from direct view and delivering a glare-free appearance for white and color-changing luminaires. We are very excited to now become the first LED lighting manufacturer to introduce this new, revolutionary phosphor-centric approach. It will create a paradigm shift for delivering the most energy and optically efficient solutions to all types of lighting. The difference will be clear to all that see it.”

Renaissance Lighting has partnered with Arkansas-based NNCrystal US Corporation, a producer of high-quality nanocrystal-based products, in the development of its newest technological approach to high-efficacy LED lighting. These phosphors will be used commercially when Renaissance Lighting’s next generation of luminaires is formally introduced later this year.

“Renaissance Lighting’s unwavering commitment to delivering optimal performance along with the best look in solid-state lighting was a key motivation for us in formulating a custom clear nanophosphor solution for them,” said Dr. Suresh Sunderrajan, President of NNCrystal US Corporation. “Today’s yellow-colored phosphors create an unattractive appearance when a fixture is not illuminated. Our Qshift Lucid™ technology-based nanophosphor solutions are very cost-effective, enable superior performance, and are void of color altogether, making it highly pleasing to the eye,” he said.

Also at Lightfair, which is scheduled for May 12-14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Renaissance Lighting will feature its popular solid-state LED downlight brands at its booth, Number 1721:

• solía^™- the most optically efficient ENERGY STAR^®-qualified, all-white solid-state LED downlight fixtures on the market today – 4-inch and 6-inch (round and square aperture) offered at four standard color temperatures. Available for new construction frames and remodel projects and compatible with a new line of reflector colors and finishes for added versatility;
• revıa^™- an all-white ENERGY STAR^®-qualified family of solid-state LED downlight fixtures offering a diverse array of lighting applications in both new and existing construction – 4-inch and 7-inch (round and square aperture) in four standard color temperatures;
• vıvía^™ - the world’s most efficient, most powerful line of architectural-grade color-changing downlights – 4-inch and 7-inch (round and square aperture) color-changing fixtures and wired and wireless controllers;
• Rhapsody™ Black - a new software application for the Blackberry^® hand-held wireless lighting control devices for use with its vıvía^™ color-changing product line and Rhapsody™ Color Management System.

About Renaissance Lighting:

Renaissance Lighting is a global leader in the development of next-generation solid-state architectural downlights and controls, the result of on-going breakthroughs in the application of LED technology and Constructive Occlusion <