LEDs Magazine 40 Under 40 Profile: Indika Perera

July 24, 2020
At the Lighting Research Center, research scientist Indika Perera applies his background in physics and engineering to new concepts for LEDs, thermal management, materials, and components.

Dr. Indika Perera, PhD, is focused on research and educational initiatives at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Perera’s research has spanned the range from packaged LED architecture and materials to SSL system design including thermal management and optical design.

Perera has regularly shared details of his research with colleagues across the industry at venues including Strategies in Light, LightFair International, SPIE, Rapid TCT, and various Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) events. Moreover, he mentors students in master’s and doctoral programs at the LRC.

Indeed, Perera brings a broad knowledge base in physics and materials to his work. His nominator stated, “Indika’s strong background in physics and engineering has been fundamental to his contributions to multiple solid-state lighting research projects, ranging from photometry and instrumentation to optimization of thermal management solutions, studies of LED system reliability and life testing including UV [ultraviolet] LEDs, drivers, and sensors.”

Much of his most recent work has been in additive manufacturing and the use of 3-D printers to create custom heat sinks and optical components, and further analysis of models that can predict the reliability and performance of systems that utilize such components.

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About the Author

Carrie Meadows | Editor-in-Chief, LEDs Magazine

Carrie Meadows has more than 20 years of experience in the publishing and media industry. She worked with the PennWell Technology Group for more than 17 years, having been part of the editorial staff at Solid State Technology, Microlithography World, Lightwave, Portable Design, CleanRooms, Laser Focus World, and Vision Systems Design before the group was acquired by current parent company Endeavor Business Media.

Meadows has received finalist recognition for LEDs Magazine in the FOLIO Eddie Awards, and has volunteered as a judge on several B2B editorial awards committees. She received a BA in English literature from Saint Anselm College, and earned thesis honors in the college's Geisel Library. Without the patience to sit down and write a book of her own, she has gladly undertaken the role of editor for the writings of friends and family.

Meadows enjoys living in the beautiful but sometimes unpredictable four seasons of the New England region, volunteering with an animal shelter, reading (of course), and walking with friends and extended "dog family" in her spare time.

About the Author

Maury Wright | Editor in Chief

Maury Wright is an electronics engineer turned technology journalist, who has focused specifically on the LED & Lighting industry for the past decade. Wright first wrote for LEDs Magazine as a contractor in 2010, and took over as Editor-in-Chief in 2012. He has broad experience in technology areas ranging from microprocessors to digital media to wireless networks that he gained over 30 years in the trade press. Wright has experience running global editorial operations, such as during his tenure as worldwide editorial director of EDN Magazine, and has been instrumental in launching publication websites going back to the earliest days of the Internet. Wright has won numerous industry awards, including multiple ASBPE national awards for B2B journalism excellence, and has received finalist recognition for LEDs Magazine in the FOLIO Eddie Awards. He received a BS in electrical engineering from Auburn University.