Early high-power LEDs at Philips Lumileds

Eindhoven, 1996 – 2002

I started as optics engineer at Philips Lumileds in Eindhoven. I designed the optics for the first LED traffic light with high-power LEDs, from the design through to production, test equipment and transfer to customers. I also helped design and specify the first high-power LEDs.

Other work in those years: the optics for a prototype LED street luminaire, optics and system models for several LED illumination systems, software for automatic design and optimisation of optical systems, and software for smart binning so that LEDs are used more efficiently. I set up and ran the optics lab.

San Jose, 2002 – 2007

In 2002 I moved to San Jose, California. I led a team that worked towards illumination-grade white LEDs. That product helped speed up the switch from conventional lighting to LEDs.

In the new business development department I was technical lead for LEDs in projection. I led the development of LED light engines for rear-projection TV and worked on optical concepts with customers and panel manufacturers. For the pocket projector concept I managed the partners and showed demonstrators at SID, CES and Ceatec. I was project lead for the light engine of the Mitsubishi PK10 pocket projector, with a new optical concept that made it smaller. I received a Lumileds recognition award for this work.

From late 2005 I was project lead for a next-generation LED platform, working with management, marketing, development, manufacturing, finance and customers.