CEA LITEN : Lighting enters the era of nanotechnology

Nanoluminophores developed by CEA LITEN open the way to new applications for lighting and signage sectors.

CEA LITEN's nanoluminophores*, developed for a variety of applications such as anti-counterfeit or photovoltaic systems, are once again breaking new ground. This time, they are converting primary light from the latest low-consumption LED developments for lighted sign and signalling applications. By lighting ceilings, entire walls or even windows, these applications offer greater energy efficiency and enhanced lighting quality. Another possibility is transparent indicator signs, cylindrical or spherical in shape, which display predetermined messages. 

To obtain white light with good conversion efficiency, LITEN researchers use luminophores emitting at green and red wavelengths when excited by low-energy photons with blue wavelengths. While fluorescent nanometric semiconductor crystals known as quantum dots provide good efficiency and light quality, they remain relatively fragile. 

Researchers are focusing on rare earths, which are more stable. Unlike many luminophores currently on the market that react to ultraviolet light (254 nm), rare earths can be used to produce materials activated by lower-energy blue light sources."The energy difference between the photon consumed and the photon emitted is thus smaller and the conversion efficiency better,” explained Renard. 

Direct applications in signage 

So far, the scientists have developed a rare earth system embedded in a glass plate. The luminophores emit at green and red wavelengths and are excited by blue-green light at 490 nm. "To meet our ultimate objective of white light, we are adjusting the mixture and glass compositions to make the system excitable at 460 nm." 

At the same time, the scientists have deposited organic fluorescent ink (excitable at 460 nm) on plastic films. The first tests on luminophores emitting green light were conclusive. Now the scientists need to develop inks emitting in the red region and validate the mixtures for obtaining white light. 

Custom signage applications are possible. "This nearly invisible ink makes it possible to create display areas on totally transparent objects,” noted Renard. CEA is also participating in the Luminosurf project, whose activities are part of the Axelera competitiveness cluster. Following the lead of Philips Eclairage, CEA plans to develop illuminated surfaces based mainly on luminophores excitable at 460 nm where efficiency is compatible with lighting standards. The first illuminated surface prototype should be ready in 2010. 

*Substances emitting light when excited by photons, varying in size from 1 µm to a few nanometres.

Source : CEA LITEN 

More information : CEA

Novea Energy : An innovative lamp combining solar and wind

Novéa Energy is a french company based near Anger. It was created with the assistance of the incubator Angers Technopole. Novéa Energy positions itself on the basis of products derived from its research and development efforts in the market for alternative energies of small powers. 

Novéa Energy is currently supporting its development on three activities: 

      - Lighting self-energy, 

      - The exploitation of hydropower on existing water mills, 

      - Product development for the industrial self - 

By offering quality products, designed to take into account their full life cycle (recycling, recovery), the Energy Novéa has a real ambition to meet the great expectations of all those who feel concerned by sustainable development.

Innovation

The company developed an innovative lamp named Smart Deco Avenue.

This autonomous lamp has the advantage of being applicable anywhere knowing that traditional power is absent.

It combines two energy sources: solar and wind power. 

Its patented design combines a double source of energy and a LED lamp.Using a complementary way of the sun and wind, provides a source of permanent power whatever the weather. 

It is very simple, since no cut and no wiring is required. Only earthworks for anchoring the mast is to be performed. The technical part, in an elevated position is not sensitive to floods and vandalism.

To finance its development, Novea energy raised money from Pays de la Loire Développement (Sodero Management), Oseo innovation and a business angel.

Source : Novea Energy 

More information : Novea 

ECOREN increased the yield of biomass cogeneration

Based in Lyon, ECOREN is a french engineering company focused on new energy. Its major objective is to develop a new technology for energy production from biomass, both powerful, clean and inexpensive. The company developed a process called COGEBIO based on a new thermodynamic cycle for electricity production from wood waste. 

Innovation 

COGEBIO project allows an electrical efficiency of 30% in a cogeneration from biomass.  The process used to generate electricity from biomass with a yield two to three times higher than the systems currently available in a power range of 30 to 200 kWe. 

The package is designed as a module mounted in the factory, easily transportable and quick installation. It accepts all types of biomass: forest wood chips, bark, sawdust, waste plants, etc.. It is intended primarily for industrial farmers with biomass resources and rural communities. 

A project led by Etienne Lebas 

The project led by Etienne Lebas, a researcher at the French Institute of Petroleum. A prototype will be done in a commune in the Loire. The latter will mainly be marketed to manufacturers of timber, farmers and public.

Etienne Lebas is a research engineer with the Institut François du Petrole (IFP). He has been associated with IFP since 1995, first in the field of natural gas treatment processes and then in the thermal engineering department. In 2001 Dr. Lebas became project leader in the field of gas turbine combustion. Dr. Lebas earned a Ph.D. in process engineering from the Institut Nationale Polytechnique de Lorraine in 1995. He has filed 18 patents and authored more than 15 publications and congress communications.

Source :  IFP, ECOREN

OLMIX presents Morgane - A green refinery project

Founded in 1995 by Hervé Balusson, the Olmix company is a specialist in “green” chemicals. Based in Bréhan in the Morbihan département (Brittany), it has sales of 52 million euros, 250 employees, seven factories in Europe and offices in 80 countries worldwide. 

OLMIX leads the way. At a time of heightened environmental awareness stemming from the Grenelle Environment Forum (meeting of political leaders and NGOs held in Paris to debate and negotiate environmental issues) and just weeks away from the Salon International de l’Agriculture, where industry leaders will discuss agriculture and sustainable development, the company presents “Morgane”, a green refinery project that is the first of its kind in Europe.

For the first time, a “green” chemicals unit is capable of combining animal and vegetable waste with green algae and transforming them into renewable energies and natural products for agriculture.

The pilot site of “Morgane” will be located in Ploërmel (Morbihan département), in the heart of Brittany, the international group’s home territory and an area rich in raw materials resources. Morgane will offer a next-generation response to two of the region’s major environmental concerns: nitrate pollution and the proliferation of green algae along the coastline.

The Morgane initiative is already backed by leading organisations: the Caisse des Dépôts (France’s state-owned financial group), the Ploërmel municipal community, various agricultural cooperatives and the Centre d’Enseignement Agricole de la Touche, an agricultural learning and research facility. The commitment of these actors is evidence of the convergence of public-private interests in the roll-out of this sustainable development project.

In launching Morgane, Olmix takes a step further in its commitment to sustainable development. A specialist in innovating high-technology products that respect the environment, Olmix develops and produces natural additives to replace synthetic ones and markets its solutions to industrial enterprises all over the world.

Source : Olmix