Date Announced: 16 Apr 2012 Research Triangle Park, NC - NLITe™, an innovative technology platform for the lighting industry developed at RTI International (the Research Triangle Institute) and funded in part by the Department of Energy, has been shown to provide substantial energy savings while producing aesthetically pleasing light. The technology can be applied to any lighting fixture, from traditional fluorescents to energy-saving LEDs. NLITe was recognized with an R&D100 Award in 2011, identifying it as one of the most technologically significant products of the year.“NLITe reflective technology dramatically improves light output and energy efficiency to allow builders, architects, lighting engineers, and designers to change their lighting designs to reduce installation costs while lowering operating and maintenance costs,” said Galen Hatfield, vice president of the Commercial Programs Division, Engineering & Technology at RTI. “NLITe also provides efficient light diffusion and improved glare resistance for overall better light quality.”NLITe is based on polymer nanofibers, which are nanoscale materials whose properties can be manipulated to improve lighting performance. By controlling the composition and structure of these nanofibers and carefully producing a technical fabric, it is possible to selectively alter the reflectivity performance and the light management properties of luminaires and lighting devices.NLITe reflective technology has been shown to improve lumen output by as much as 40%. This directly translates into energy efficiency, lower installation and operating costs due to fewer fixture requirements and lower energy costs. The material can be easily adapted to various geometries demanded by existing lighting fixtures and conformability ensures an easier design process for new lighting systems. NLITe offers a high reflectance of greater than 95%, efficient light diffusion, and a conformable materials platform. In contrast, traditional reflector materials such as aluminum and paint typically have reflectance values below 80%, reducing luminaire output efficiency through light absorption. NLITe also provides uniform reflectance of visible light from 400 to 750 nm.The NLITe technology can be further modified to adjust the color palette of the light to match the desired application. The result is more aesthetically pleasing light with better color rendering properties. This is especially important in LED-based applications. For example, high-efficiency white light with excellent color rendering properties can be achieved with a blue LED when coupled with NLITe nanofibers and the proper combination of luminescent materials.For more information about NLITe technology, including videos and white papers, please visit www.rti.org/NLITe or contact [email protected] RTI InternationalRTI International is one of the world’s leading research institutes, dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. Our staff of more than 2,800 employees provides research and technical services to governments and businesses in more than 40 countries in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals, education and training, surveys and statistics, advanced technology, international development, economic and social policy, energy and the environment, and laboratory testing and chemical analysis. For more information, visit www.rti.org
Contact
Galen Hatfield, RTI International 919-541-6298
E-mail:[email protected]
Web Site:www.rti.org/NLITe
