December 17,2008--In response to requests from lighting professionals across the United States, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center (LRC; Troy, NY) has taken the LED Lighting Institute "on the road." In addition to the traditional three-day seminar held each spring and fall at the LRC, a two-day LED Lighting Institute program option has been added that will be hosted at a program-sponsor site each year.
The first two-day, on-the-road LED Lighting Institute will be held March 17 and 18, 2009, at LED Lighting specialist Cree's corporate headquarters (Durham, NC). The two-day version of the program will provide detailed instruction for lighting-fixture designers and manufacturers, lighting specifiers, and other professionals interested in learning more about this quickly evolving lighting technology.
Through hands-on workshops and classroom sessions, participants learn the basics of LED technology while building an understanding of LED system-integration issues involving the electrical, optical, and thermal characteristics of LEDs. Participants also learn how to measure and evaluate LEDs and LED systems, and have the opportunity to compare LED technologies from a variety of manufacturers. The program culminates with the participants designing, building, and evaluating their own LED fixtures.
The program is designed to have participants choose and evaluate all necessary LED system components including heat sinks, LEDs, and drivers from a variety of manufacturers. Then participants will have the opportunity to compare the systems side-by-side, examining the thermal, photometric, and color properties for each system, according to Dan Frering, LRC manager of education.
"The workshop offers objective information on current LED technology so participants walk away with realistic expectations for using LEDs in place of traditional light sources," said Nadarajah Narendran, director of research and head of the Solid-State Lighting Program at the LRC. "In addition, the participants are taught methods for measuring and quantifying LED performance."
This intensive workshop continues to grow in popularity, according to Frering, so he suggests early registration. Those who sign up by February 2, 2009 will receive a discount on the registration fee.
Upon completion of the LED Lighting Institute, participants will earn three continuing-education units and will receive a Continuing Education Certificate in LED lighting technology. For more information or to register for the two-day March session, visit the LED Lighting Institute Web site at http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/education/outreachEducation/LEDInstitute.asp.