Fusion IP’s (LON:FIP) portfolio company Seren Photonics is preparing to build its first pilot scale high brightness (HB) LEDs, after a successful fundraising.
In its first round of funding Seren raised £475,000.
Seren has a new processing technique that greatly increases the efficiency at which a HB LED converts an applied voltage into light. It significantly reduces heat generation under normal running conditions.
The technique was developed by the University of Sheffield’s Dr Tao Wang.
"Seren continues to make excellent progress and we are excited by the results to date,” Fusion chief executive David Baynes said.
“There is a huge potential market for their revolutionary technology and we remain confident that the light output, which is already double untreated devices, will be significantly increased as the process is optimised."
Primarily Seren’s HB LEDs will target the large and fast growing white light HB LED markets.
These are extensively used as back lighting for laptops, TVs, signs and displays, as well as domestic and architectural lighting.
According to Seren, successful demonstrations of its technology have so far doubled the light output compared to untreated devices.
Consequently the LEDs can be much brighter or power consumption can be reduced.
The proceeds will be invested in key equipment and will allow thenbusiness to complete several pilot scale manufacturing cycles.
Once produced, the packaged HB LEDs will be used as demonstration products.
"We have made significant progress with the development of this technology in recent months,” Seren chairman Dr Godfrey Ainsworth said.
“Incorporation of our process technology in to packaged pilot HB LEDs will allow us to demonstrate our product to potential manufacturing partners and early adopters from the potential customer base,
“We are already engaged in discussions with these parties."
Fusion invests in new companies and technology that are formed from university research. At present it has investments in 23 portfolio companies, originating from Cardiff University and the University of Sheffield.
Seren was spun out from Sheffield University back in February 2010.