Alexander Wilm, Key Expert SSL Design
Osram Opto Semiconductors

Alexander Wilm is Senior Key Expert for illumination in the SSL application engineering department at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors in Regensburg. A graduate from the University of Applied Sciences in Regensburg with a degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Alex started his journey in the lighting industry as an optics engineer in 2004 at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors in Regensburg where he developed the first primary optics for LEDs for automotive head lamps.

After two years in optics design he moved on to the next application field of LEDs: flash lights for mobile phones and LED projectors. In 2008 Alexander Wilm was delegated to Singapore where he was responsible for the application engineering team in the ASEAN region. During these years the use of LEDs in general lighting applications was just starting and this emerging field of Solid State Lighting immediately became the new focus of his work. This passion for light continued when he returned to the companies headquarter in Germany and started extensive studies about the different aspects of color fidelity and color preference. As a result of his efforts, the Brilliant Color converter mix was developed which provides a unique balance between color fidelity and color rendering. But not only was the reproduction of color strongly influenced by his work. He also evaluated the damage potential of LED light in comparison to conventional light sources. By leading an expert committee at an engineer association (VDI), he helped to develop new methods of describing and assessing color and brightness homogeneity in an easy and comprehensive way. All this work is not only strongly influencing the design of the LEDs but is also shared with the international lighting community through his frequent and continuing professional articles, publications and presentations at conferences, fairs and workshops. All these activities accompany his main activity of providing technical consultation to LED customers, which are especially some of the world’s largest and most influential lighting manufacturers in the market.

With this unique combination of a deep understanding of the requirements for LEDs in respect to luminaire design and applications, Alex has developed a detailed knowledge of the driving factors of the SSL market for today and tomorrow. The motivation for the evaluations and new ideas are not purely scientific, but are inspired by the needs and challenges of the complete lighting industry. These activities peaked with the invention and implementation of TEN° binning for white LEDs, where a binning of the LED in the most recent and more application relevant environment is proposed to ensure a high color consistency without additional costs on the production side. TEN° binning provides excellent light quality in the commodity market area of general lighting. Changing people’s habits which have been accepted for decades is not easy- but if it is the right thing to do Alex will continue to follow and promote his proposal with persistence and passion for the benefit of the complete industry.