Lighting enters the nanotechnologies era
Nano-luminophores in the headlines
A first prototype in 2010
Luminosurf is programmed to start up at the beginning of 2009. A first prototype of an illuminating surface should be developed during 2010. By then, research workers involved in this project should have solved a large number of problems one after the other, including synthesis of crystals, colorimetric formulation to obtain perfect white light, deposition of these particles in a thin layer on different types of materials (glass, polymers, etc.). “CSTB will contribute particularly to everything concerning optical measurements: luminescence, flux, intensity, spectrum uniformity, chromaticity and colour rendering, says Christophe Martinsons. In the second phase of the project, we will analyse the life cycle of the products made." The next step will be to find specific applications, both in homes and passenger compartments in public transport or shop façades (illuminating windows, light signs, symbols, etc.).
A project combining research workers and manufacturers
Many partners participate in Luminosurf, coordinated by Philips Eclairage (lighting). The LITEN (CEA), LMI (Université Blaise Pascal at Clermont-Ferrand) and CSTB laboratories are working on basic research. They work with manufacturers such as Alstom transport, Baïkowski and Saunier-Plumaz. The global budget for the project is 5 M€ over three years (2009-2011).