Osram Sylvania has opened an expanded, multi-million dollar Clean Lab LED center on April 8 that is dedicated to solid-state lighting research in Beverly, Massachusetts.

Osram received $2M award in US DOE Solid State Lighting Research and Development Program last month. And the award will allow the company to fund an LED replacement for a halogen MR-16 spotlight and research on phosphors for white LEDs.

“This new clean room strengthens our research and development capabilities and makes us an even more valuable partner for the Department of Energy Solid State Lighting Programs,” said Martin Zachau, Osram Sylvania VP of research and development.

The company will use the award to develop an LED replacement for a small halogen MR-16 spotlight as well as to fund a basic research project to optimize LED phosphors for more efficient, next-generation white LEDs.

Osram Sylvania will begin work on the projects in mid-2009 and conclude by 2011 with published reports to DOE officials.