An Interview with John Edmond - Luciferous LED Lucubrator

The Amp Hour · 29 Nov 2011 · 1h 04m · Episode 71

What this episode covers

John Edmond, co-founder and Director of Advanced Optoelectronics Technology at Cree, explains the company's vertically integrated manufacturing of silicon carbide-based LEDs and its evolution from a university research project to a global leader. He details the technical advantages of silicon carbide substrates over sapphire, the company's bootstrap funding history, and the pivotal role of Volkswagen in scaling LED adoption for automotive dashboards. Edmond also discusses the current state of LED efficacy, the challenges of competing with subsidized CFLs, and Cree's expansion into power electronics and full lighting fixtures.

Mentioned

Companies
Cree, Volkswagen, Osram, Siemens, Mitomo, Kotko, Rude Lighting, Nichia, Toyota Gosei, Home Depot, NC State University, Office of Naval Research
Tools
UT190
Materials
Silicon Carbide, Gallium Nitride, Sapphire
Also
Energy Star, Lighting Faxe

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