Definition of DOE SSL R&D Pathways

The Department defines Core Technology and Product Development as follows:

Core Technology - Core Technology research includes scientific efforts that seek to gain more comprehensive knowledge or understanding of the subject under study, with possible multiple applications or fields of use in mind. Within Core Technology research areas, scientific principles are demonstrated, and the knowledge is shown to offer price or performance advantages over previously available science/engineering.  Laboratory testing and/or math modeling may be conducted to gain new knowledge, and provide the options (technical pathways) to a SSL application.  Activities could include theory, fabrication, and measurement of a material to provide the detailed understanding (properties and relationships) that solve one or more of the technical challenges of the DOE SSL program.  Tasks in Core Technology are truly innovative and groundbreaking, fill technology gaps, provide enabling knowledge or data, and represent a significant advancement in the SSL knowledge base.  These tasks focus on gaining pre-competitive knowledge for future application to products, for use by other organizations.  The desired outcome is pioneering work that would be available to the community at large, to use and benefit from as they work collectively towards attainment of the DOE’s efficacy goals.

Some examples: theoretical investigations of light generation and extraction at molecular scales; material properties of substrates, encapsulants, or polymers; software tools that capture scientific principles to expedite the decision process of design; modeling of heat transfer principles to estimate temperature profiles within a semiconductor reactor; and mapping of scientific principles that explain the interactions of dopants and hosts or metal alloys to create light of a specified spectrum.

Product Development - Product Development is the systematic use of knowledge gained from basic and applied research to develop or improve commercially viable materials, devices, or systems.  Technical activities are focused on a targeted market application with fully defined price, efficacy, and other performance parameters necessary for success of the proposed product.  Product development encompasses the technical activities of product concept modeling through to the development of test models and field ready prototypes. In some cases, product development may include “focused-short-term” applied research, but its relevance to a specific product must be clearly identified.

Laboratory performance testing is conducted on prototypes to evaluate product utility, market, legal, health, and safety issues.  Feedback from the owner/operator and technical data gathered from testing are used to improve prototype designs.  Further design modifications and re-testing are performed as needed.   

Along with the technical aspects of product development, market and fiscal studies are completed to ensure a successful transition from product development to demonstration and commercialization. To be positioned for success, new products must exhibit cost and/or performance advantages over commercially available technologies.