High-efficiency light fibers awarded KPMG's Inspiration Grant

The prize-winning team of researchers will receive financial support worth CHF 50,000, which will enable them to take the next step in their development of a new illumination technology. Yet another project is thus being supported that is making a socially relevant contribution to benefit future generations.

After five KPMG Inspiration Grants were awarded to ETH Zurich and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in 2010, KPMG’s centenary year, a particularly promising EPFL project is also to receive a grant this year.

As thin as a hair and as powerful as 100 LEDs

LCD screens and, in particular, their backlights, are responsible for over half the power consumed by portable devices such as laptops or tablet PCs. These days, most such screens are lit by a series of white LEDs. With larger and larger screens now being used, however, limitations have emerged in terms of the efficiency, evenness and scalability of the light.

One major disadvantage lies in the fact that some 60% of the light generated does not reach its intended destination. Using nanotechnology, the prize-winning project team has now developed ultra-thin waveguides that allow screens to be lit more efficiently, evenly and cost-effectively. Unlike the technology used to date, these waveguides can be integrated into a screen selectively. A single fiber – the width of a human hair – can thus replace 100 LEDs, making this technology not only more flexible but also cheaper and ultra-efficient.

Wide-ranging benefits and countless potential uses

Tablet PCs and laptops have been part of our lives for a long time now. By significantly reducing the power consumed by these devices, the innovative illumination technology is making a key contribution to the development of ultra-energy-efficient high-tech products and helping to cut our overall energy consumption.

Although the project team developed these nanofibers specifically for backlighting display screens, their unique properties could also see the technology used in the field of medicine or mechanical engineering.

KPMG promotes innovation in conjunction with ETH Zurich and EPFL

On the occasion of its 100th anniversary KPMG Switzerland worked together with ETH Zurich and EPFL to launch KPMG’s Inspiration Grant in early 2010. Funded through sponsorship projects by KPMG, this targeted instrument for promoting innovation distinguishes projects of a scientific nature and with entrepreneurial potential in the areas of healthcare and the environment that will make a socially relevant contribution to benefit future generations.

KPMG’s Inspiration Grants provide important financial support for research projects to help them reach the next stage of development. Having projects selected by ETH Zurich and EPFL ensures the scientific nature of the projects as well as the sustainable use of the funds received.

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For further information, please contact:

KPMG AG

Andreas Hammer

Head of Public Relations & Public Affairs

Telephone: +41 44 249 48 20

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E-mail: [email protected]

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