RESEARCHERS from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang have developed a world class light-emitting diode (LED).
Invented by a group of scientists from USM Institute of Nano Optoelectronics Research and Technology (INOR), the energy efficient LED has a peak luminous efficacy of more than 200 lumens per watt (lm/W), which exceeds many industry standards.
INOR director Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Zamir Pakhuruddin said the invention was a significant achievement, resulting from years of collaboration in the GaN-on-GaN (GoG) programme with Physics Nobel Prize 2014 recipient Prof Dr Shuji Nakamura from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) and with multinational corporations via the Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology Centre.
“The success of INOR researchers has in part proven their capability in conducting prime LED research in Malaysia, through the application of the ‘quadruple helix’ model, with the involvement of the academia, industry partners, the government and the community.
“This achievement highlights the technological capability of local universities and the ability to be competitive at the international level,” Assoc Prof Mohd Zamir said.
He said the INOR-developed LED technology was far more energy-efficient than traditional lights and in the long run could reduce energy use and cost, and raise the standard of living.
Assoc Prof Mohd Zamir said this inspiring success could lead to the setting up of a spin-off company for INOR that could commercialise the technology and attract direct foreign investment in the nation’s electric and electronic (LED sector) industry, and also indirectly provide more job opportunities for graduates.
He said since the GoG programme began in 2016, a number of discoveries had been made in LED technology.
He said these discoveries had been published in high-impact journals and filed as patents and had the potential to be adapted for specific industrial usage.
He said LEDs had wide application in people’s lives at present, including in electronic devices such as mobile phones, TVs and laptops, as well as in decorative lights, road traffic lights and torch lights.
“It also offers the advantage of low- energy usage, and being efficient and longer lasting than ordinary lighting,” he said. –- By IMRAN HILMY
