§16192 Next Generation Lighting Initiative

Summary

The Secretary must run a Next Generation Lighting Initiative to fund and push research, development, demonstration, and commercial use of advanced solid-state lighting based on white light emitting diodes. Advanced solid-state lighting: a semiconductor device that makes white light when electricity is applied. Industry Alliance: the group the Secretary will pick to represent private companies. Initiative: the program created under this section. Research: work on the technologies, materials, and manufacturing for white light LEDs. White light emitting diode: a semiconductor package (organic or inorganic) that makes white light with an applied voltage. The Initiative must aim to make LED lighting longer lasting, more energy efficient, cost-competitive, and less harmful to the environment than incandescent and fluorescent lights. Not later than 90 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary must choose an Industry Alliance by competition. The Secretary must award competitive grants to researchers (including Alliance members), small businesses, National Laboratories, and colleges or universities. Each year the Secretary must ask the Industry Alliance for technology needs, progress reviews, and roadmap updates, and must make that information public. The Secretary must run competitive development and commercial awards and may favor Alliance members. Cost sharing is required under section 16352. For new inventions made under the research program, the Secretary may require rules (under section 202(a)(ii) of title 35, section 2182, and section 5908) that give active Industry Alliance participants the first option to negotiate reasonable, nonexclusive licenses in the field of solid-state lighting; for 1 year after a United States patent issues, the patent holder must not negotiate with non-Alliance parties and must negotiate in good faith with interested Alliance participants. The Secretary must arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to do periodic reviews.