Cardiff’s Compound Semiconductor Centre (CSC) and Cambridge-based Kubos Semiconductors are working together to improve the efficiency of green LEDs (light emitting diodes).

They aim to develop numerous LED applications — including light-bulbs that can mimic natural changes in daylight
and micro-LED displays for wearable technologies, such as televisions, virtual-reality headsets and smart watches.

They have signed an agreement to commercialise the manufacture of LEDs using cubic Gallium Nitride, rather than traditional hexagonal Gallium Nitride.

Licensees of the technology will be able to create cheaper and more-efficient LEDs for use in a wide range of electronic devices.

The partnership will allow Kubos (www.kubos-semi.com) to accelerate the development of patented technologies on reactors at CSC’s facility in St Mellons, while CSC will benefit from the growth in its device-manufacturing output as the project progresses.

CSC was formed in August 2015 as a joint venture between IQE — a supplier of advanced compound semiconductor wafer products — and Cardiff University.

CSC director Wyn Meredith said (www.compoundsemiconductorcentre.com): “The technology is hugely exciting for manufacturers of LED technologies. We hope that the collaboration will help Kubos to enable next-generation LED displays and other LED applications. By working with us, Kubos can leverage the significant capital investment required to commercialise new materials technologies.”
The collaboration involves CSC, Kubos, IQE and Cambridge University.

"Kubos technical director David Wallis said: “Our cubic GaN technology has the potential to overcome some of the limitations of current LED technologies. Working with CSC allows us to accelerate the commercial exploitation of this exciting material.”