Ford and NextEnergy Challenge Accelerates Development of LED Technology
Prizes of $40,000 offered by the State of Michigan from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and NextEnergy will help get creative juices flowing in the development of LED lighting. LEDs (light emitting diodes) provide the brightest light in the smallest space with the least amount of weight and greater energy efficiency. The challenge, announced at Ford’s Product Development Center on October 14 during a lighting exposition, will kick off November 19 at the Michigan Advanced Lighting Conference in Lansing. The challenge will last until late 2015 when teams will present their ideas to experts from Ford and NextEnergy. The area of development being focused on is new automotive lighting products by industry suppliers.
Ford has a vested interest in the new LED technology because the 2015 Ford F-150 has LED headlights that may last longer than the truck itself. These LED headlamps uses 63% less energy than halogen bulbs and are more durable, lasting 5 times longer and seems to be virtually unbreakable. Another first for the 2015 Ford F-150 is the fan-less technology used to keep the LED’s cool. The headlamp is ventilated by an aluminum die cast heat sink or exchanger which moves the air down channels to change the air’s density and cools the unit. This is one example of LED technology in Ford.
The discussion was more about how the smaller, brighter, tougher, longer-lasting bulbs would change the exterior design of future cars. The front end of a car is seen as its face with the headlights being eyes. Not only will the smaller bulbs make for a slimmer fit, but their smaller diameter allows the diodes to be arranged in patterns and controlled for special effects like a series of indicator lights that flash in sequence. Solving the heat problem was done by fitting fans to the new headlights and a temperature monitoring system within the headlights will be used to switch on the fans when needs. Since headlights are used at night when it’s cooler, Ford believes that the headlights won’t overheat.
As you can see, the challenge to suppliers to create the new LED lighting has the advantage of current LED lighting and clear direction to overcome current technology issues. The areas outlined by the challenge presented by Ford and NextEnergy will direct the creation of future innovations. NextEnergy, nonprofit established in 2002 in Detroit, serves as a catalyst for advanced energy technology demonstration and commercialization. LED technology in Ford is how the innovation can be used to lead future innovations.
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