Was this really such a bright idea?

It seems that the decision makers think that everyone knows about the so called benefits of compact fluorescent light bulbs. Most people are only aware of the danger of mercury. To say that a wristwatch battery contains more mercury may or may not be correct, but we don't open up our batteries to be exposed and we've been recycling all batteries for a number of years.

Cree raises stakes in LED bulb race

LED maker Cree is gunning for the demise of the 60-watt incandescent bulb with a demonstration LED bulb that's energy efficient and disperses light in all directions. The company today introduced a dimmable LED bulb, which it expects to get EnergyStar certification in the fall. Today's date coincides with the day 131 years ago when Thomas Edison received a key patent for incandescent bulbs.

ROHM High-Performance Infrared LEDs

A new series of high-performance infrared LEDs ideally suited for proximity sensor applications is now available from ROHM Semiconductor. The SIM-030/031ST and SIM-040/041ST surface-mount IR LEDs feature breakthrough IR wavelength technology providing peak output of 850/870 nm, compared to 950 nm for comparable devices. The 850/870 nm level is much closer to the peak wave sensitivity of phototransistors (sensors), thus achieving higher efficiency proximity sensing and energy savings of up to 66%. In addition, the small package footprint and low-profile further enhance their application in cell phones and other portable devices.

New technique that makes LEDs more efficient developed

Researchers have now developed a new technique that reduces defects in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), thus making it more efficient. LED lighting relies on the gallium nitride (GaN) thin films to create the diode structure that produces light. The new technique now reduces the number of defects in those films by two to three orders of magnitude. "This improves the quality of the material that emits light," said Salah Bedair at the North Carolina State University.

GaN depo process said to make brighter LEDs

A new gallium nitride (GaN) process purifies that high-energy material by eliminating up to 1,000 times as many defects as are typically present, according to its inventors at North Carolina State University (NCSU). The NCSU researchers predict that light-emitting diodes (LEDs), power transistors and other devices cast in GaN will be able to double their outputs by switching to the new process.

Consumers not yet warming to new light bulbs

Americans are about to suffer a cruel breakup: Their 130-year love affair with the incandescent light bulb is coming to an end.  Home décor retailer IKEA sent a reminder of the bulb’s dwindling shelf life this month, announcing it would halt the sale of traditional venerable bulbs at all of its U.S. stores. But while Thomas Edison’s invention is slowly being dimmed into retail oblivion, consumers have been slow to accept the two emerging alternative technologies, known as CFLs and LEDs. The main complaints: CFLs, or compact fluorescent lights, cast a harsh, greenish beam, unlike the warm, amber glow of incandescents

LED headlights give your electric car an extra six miles

Your electric car can go six miles further on its battery if you use LED headlights. That’s the conclusion drawn by an automotive engineer with Osram Sylvania, according to Autoblog Green. Electric and electric-hybrid car ranges are impacted by external factors like temperature, whether you’re running the air conditioning or heater and how often you brake.

The new lightbulbs, confusing but enlightening

Lighting is changing fast. Incandescents as we know them are on the way out. It may be confusing for a while. But in the end, your wallet will thank you. And so will the planet. Walk down today's lighting aisle, and it's intimidating Incandescents. Halogens. CFLs. LEDs. All sizes. All shapes. All colors, from warm white to a crisp bluish tint. And more to come. So read on for a tour of the ever-burgeoning bulb-land.

GT Solar snags LED equipment order

GT Solar International Inc.said Thursday that it has received a $33.3 million order for sapphire crystallization systems, in the company’s first order for LED equipment from South Korea. The Merrimack, N.H.-based company, best known as a maker of manufacturing equipment for solar power technology, said the order came from South Korea-based OCI Company.

Humboldt firm estimates LEDs cut energy costs $8,752 a day

U.S. Cold Storage opened a 215,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility in June 2008 in the new Humboldt North Industrial Park. Last October, the company opened a 145,000-square-foot expansion to the plant that is creating 65 new jobs. The new section has a special feature - LED (light-emitting diode) lighting that is saving the company $8,752.60 a day.

Epistar Garners Apple`s Order for LED Backlights

With its cooperation with Japan`s Toyoda Gosei paying off, Epistar Corp., a large-sized LED maker in Taiwan, has landed Apple Inc.`s order for LED backlights for use in iPad, which will help to fuel Epistar`s sales revenue starting this March, according to industry sources. With strict supplier criteria, Apple now procures LEDs mainly from Japan`s Nichia and Toyoda Gosei as the backlight source of its iPad and iPhone.

Energy-saving plan for massive shift to LEDs

The Urban Renaissance Agency has decided to reinforce measures to prevent global warming at about 760,000 units of rental housing that it manages and runs throughout Japan. In addition to the initiatives it has been taking, the Agency intends to make a switch to light-emitting diode (LED) types for about one million light fixtures in common-use parts of collective housing such as corridors and stairways.
The Agency formulated a plan for execution of measures to prevent global warming in 2008. In accordance with this plan, it has steadily been taking steps such as installing energy-saving water heaters in individual units and inverters for operation of elevators shared by residents. The recent plan will further bolster the Agency's arrangements.

Battle of the bulbs

The light bulb war is well underway. The Bush administration landed the first blow with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requiring bulbs be 25 to 30 percent more efficient by 2012 to 2014, and 70 percent more efficient by 2020, effectively phasing out traditional incandescent bulbs

Long-Term Promise, Short-Term Queasiness

Investors in LED-product maker Cree are used to volatility. But even so, the 14.5% drop in the stock price Wednesday following a disappointing earnings report must have left some with queasy stomachs. However rattled they may be feeling after such a hard fall, many Cree supporters remain unshaken in their faith. LED’s, or light-emitting diodes, not only power television screens, smartphone displays, dashboard lights and market tickers, they are increasingly being used as a low-cost and more energy efficient alternative to incandescent lights on outdoor streets as well as inside buildings and homes.

How LED Players Can Participate In Govt Projects

The tiny, bright lights that you may have seen hold immense business potential in India. Although liquid emitting diode (LED) market is still in its nascent stage in India, it will soon be the next big thing in the lighting industry. Driven partly by the move towards energy efficient lighting solutions, which have been gaining importance, LEDs are poised to replace conventional lighting in many key applications like street lighting, indoor and outdoor lighting, apart from other industrial applications.

Intematix phosphor opens doors for LED lighting

Intematix today announced an component designed to improve LED lighting efficiency and give light fixture manufacturers more flexibility in adjusting light qualities. The Fremont, Calif.-based company announced its ChromaLit product line, which offers a separate phosphor component that converts the blue light of LED light sources into pleasing white light.

Cree light bulb promises to last 20 years

How long should an average use light bulb last? Six months? A year? A new LED floodlight by Cree called CR6 is about to hit store shelves and promises it will last 20 years. "It's very similar to an incandescent bulb, but it doesn't get hot. It doesn't use as much energy,” said John Banta with Consumer Reports.

City of Cleveland rejects its only two bids for LED lights

The city of Cleveland has rejected bids from the only two companies that responded to the city's effort to tie the purchase of LED lights to job creation. City officials declined Friday to discuss why they rejected the bids or what will happen next

By-bye, incandescent bulb

Ready to say goodbye forever to the incandescent light bulb? A federal phase-out of incandescent bulbs begins next year. It will start with standard 100-watt light bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in 2014. Bulbs sold instead will include compact fluorescents, energy-efficient halogens and LED bulbs. IKEA has just stopped selling incandescent bulbs, the first major retailer to do so. IKEA US President Mike Ward stated, "Eliminating incandescents is just one simple way for IKEA customers to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases."

Fractal Cloud from Luxxbox

Simultaneously beautifully organic and diabolically mathematical, the various facets comprising this ultra modern linear pendant are apparently random. The facets, however, afford a precise balance in both visual and physical properties. The angled profile is condusive to both haphazard cluster arrangements, creative tessellation and simple linear arrays. LEDs or an energy-efficient fluorescent tube are concealed within the floating, luminous mass of angles and vertices

New Contact Lenses With LED Displays

The real future will be in Augmented Vision—a virtual layer on reality, no smart phone necessary. And "AV" may have just taken one giant step closer to feasibility. A research team at the University of Washington has designed a contact lens that has the ability to project LED displays directly into the irises.

Architainment to distribute EcoSense LEDs

EcoSense Lighting announced at the ARC Show that it has signed Architainment Lighting as an authorised distributor of its line of specifier-grade LED lighting solutions for commercial and residential applications. The agreement with Architainment will extend the availability of EcoSense products across architectural, retail and entertainment market segments throughout England and Wales.

To assure uniform colour temperature across fixtures, EcoSense has developed a highly stringent LED binning criteria resulting in a yield that exceeds the ANSI standards requirement by 400%, says the company. This ensures that project standards need not be compromised by inconsistent colour output from unit to unit.

Old Glory Basks in Solar-Powered LED

Flying above Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, the replica of the giant flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem still looks great by the dawns early light. But now Old Glory also looks pretty terrific at night, thanks to an ultra-high efficiency bank of LED lights powered entirely by the sun. According to the National Park system, which maintains the historic site, the LED system “produces a brighter light that enhances the color of the Star Spangled Banner.”

Council continues to struggle with LED decision

Nanaimo councillors continue to struggle with how light emitting diode business signage fits into the city’s landscape, caught between Ministry of Transportation safety concerns and business desires to approve the signs. After more than three years of research and public discussion, council had three options to consider Monday, with the intention of presenting the winning option to staff for an amendment to the city’s sign bylaw permitting LEDs under various regulations.

SolidApollo.com Launches to the LED Lighting Market

North Seattle LED lighting manufacturer and distributor Solid Apollo launches new superior LED Light Strips, LED Strip Controls systems, Solderless LED Strip Accessories and LED Dimmers which will enable users to create faster and long lasting installations.
North Seattle LED lighting manufacturer and distributor SolidApollo.com just introduced to the market superior LED Lighting Strips, LED Strip Controls, Solderless LED Strip Accessories and LED Dimmers, which will enable users to create faster installations and enjoy better lighting performance.
There are several factors that distinguish SolidApollo’s LED Strips from other retailers. Their Led Lighting Strips offer high quality controls and the best value in the market thanks to several technological factors.
First of all, Solid Apollo’s LED Light Strips run at 24V DC instead of the typical 12V DC. This makes their product more stable and efficient in comparison to conventional 12V led strips. Lower current is needed to operate them, which increases life span as well as lowering the heat emission, a key factor when it comes to eroding and degrading the phosphor in the LEDs. It is demonstrated that a lower current decreases substantially light degradation and LED strips suffer when exposed to constant heat and high currents to operate them.

LEDs Are Getting Ready for the Spotlight

In October, the Chili's restaurant chain announced plans to outfit 827 restaurants with 125,000 LED lamps—an installation that the company claims will save up to $3.7 million per year and mark the largest LED rollout in the United States to date. Best Buy, meanwhile, has pledged to install 35,000 LED lamps in place of halogen bulbs for digital-camera displays and high-end audio and video showrooms.

Denny's to Light Its Restaurants with LEDs

Denny's is joining the LED lighting revolution and announced it will use Cree Inc's LR6 LED downlights in dining areas and restrooms for all new and remodeled locations. The company evaluated many solutions and determined Cree offered the the most value. One franchisee found they used 6000kW/hrs less per month after switching to LED and was able to save over $15K/month across five locations.

LED Driver ICs Deliver Flicker-Free Dimming

iWatt, Inc., a developer of energy-efficient digital power supply control integrated circuits (ICs) used in leading-edge power supplies, today announced two primary-side-regulated, leading- and trailing-edge-dimmable, AC/DC Digital PWM Controllers targeting 100V/230VAC offline LED lighting applications. Designed for isolated or non-isolated LED drivers used in incandescent replacement lamps including both space-constrained (GU10, MR16) and larger (A, PAR) types, the iW3612 (3W to 25W) and low-power iW3602 (3W to 10W) incorporate features to ensure long life, power efficiency, reduced size and component costs, and flicker-free compatibility with existing wall dimmers worldwide. Both LED driver ICs are pin compatible with the previous-generation iW3610, but offer wider dimmer compatibility and introduce new hot-plug support, where the user can swap the LED engine without recycling the input power for the LED driver.
Worldwide conservation initiatives to replace existing incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs force those LEDs to address the installed base of dimmable-lighting switches. In iWatt’s LED driver ICs, intelligent digital algorithms automatically detect all types of dimmers or a lack thereof for seamless operation, including both leading-edge (TRIAC style) and trailing-edge dimmers. In the rare case of an unsupported dimmer, safe mode shuts it down. The devices allow smooth, flicker-free dimming from 1% to 100% with tight ±5% LED current regulation which prevents flicker from noisy line voltage.
iWatt’s AC/DC power conversion ICs are unique in that they feature a digital feedback and control loop versus analog. This adaptive digital control technology – which is transparent to designers and requires no programming or GUI development – optimizes efficiency, simplifies printed circuit board (PCB) design, and eliminates components to reduce driver size and bill of materials (BOM). Precision primary-side-control technology eliminates the opto-coupler and secondary-side control circuit used in traditional isolated flyback designs. Built-in frequency jitter and quasi-resonant (or valley-mode) switching reduces EMI with over 6dB margin and over 85% efficiency, improving thermal management and reducing the EMI filter components necessary. Proprietary digital spread spectrum technology also makes for easy EMI design by automatically adjusting the device’s switching frequency in real-time response to varying line voltage.
The high switching frequency up to 200kHz enables designers to use smaller capacitors and transformers to optimize space. Additionally, designers may use a smaller heat sink because the high efficiency (85% or better) reduces thermal loss.

Cree Bolsters the Performance of XLamp MX-6 LEDs

Cree, Inc. announced it has further simplified indoor LED fixture design with its XLamp MX-6 LEDs, which feature higher flux options, new, longer lifetime estimates and higher CRI options. Cree has also completed LM-80 testing on MX-6 LEDs, which can enable quicker time to market for manufacturers designing Energy Star-rated fixtures, the Company said. "These MX-6 LED improvements are proof of Cree's commitment to enabling our customers' success in LED lighting," said Paul Thieken, Cree director of marketing, LED components.

Foley studies LED lighting

The city of Foley (Alabama) and Riviera Utilities are looking at LED, or light-emitting diode, lighting systems that could reduce costs by cutting power consumption and maintenance requirements, Jeff Rouzie, director of economic development, said. Officials are trying to determine, however, if the lights would save enough to pay for the transition, he said

Why watts? Lumens are loomin'

When a bulb burns out in your home, you look at the wattage then go to your “box of bulbs” and find another to replace it. 60 watts? 100 watts? You name it. The thing is, with compact flourescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) improving in quality and becoming more popular, we are seeing light bulb packages that refer to “equivalents”. A 13 watt CFL is prominently labeled as a 60 watt equivalent. If you replace a 60 watt incandescent bulb in your living room with a CFL, and another in the kitchen with an LED, you’re talking about three types of bulbs, each using a different amount of wattage to achieve the same amount of brightness (lumens). It’s a little bit cumbersome, right?

NXP and LUXIM Make the Smart Grid Smarter

NXP Semiconductors N.V. announced a program designed to ensure local public works administrations receive genuine products for use in street lighting. LUXIM, the leading supplier of Light Emitting Plasma (LEP) lamps, is joining forces with NXP, a leader in security IC solutions, to help assure component authentication throughout the entire supply chain, so that governments choosing LEP street lights can be confident in the quality, energy efficiency and lifespan of their installations.
"In our view, LEP is the best possible source for high-illuminance applications, including street lighting. Our tic-tac-sized plasma light source enables electricity cost savings of approximately $145 per fixture per year, exceptional color quality and 50,000-hour life," said Randy Reid, vice president of marketing, LUXIM. "By introducing the authentication chip from NXP, we're helping our partners protect their customers' investment in LEP street lighting -- to ensure that everyone benefits from the brilliant white light, energy savings and long life of LUXIM products."
LEP lighting is an energy-efficient and environmentally clean lighting technology that saves over 50 percent in energy costs compared to traditional lighting. In addition, it offers three times the lifespan of most conventional lighting fixtures, shining a full spectrum brilliant white light that mimics the sun. To achieve best performance, LUXIM uses deep domain expertise developing sophisticated IP. The NXP au10tic security IC solution is used to prevent lower quality counterfeit components from entering into the supply chain, and ultimately protect local government agencies investment.

LED streetlights are solid long-term investment

Rochester Public Utilities has embarked on a pilot project to test the viability of using LED streetlights throughout the city. And we're even more pleased to learn that 80 percent of the costs — a total of $360,000 — were paid by a federal block grant. That's a bargain, because there's already solid evidence that LED lights are a cost-effective alternative for improving visibility on our streets. In 2008, the city of Oakland, Calif., teamed up with the U.S. Department of Energy and the local utility company, Pacific Gas & Electric, in a scientific comparison of LED streetlights vs. traditional high-pressure sodium lights.

Dutch Company Integrates LED Wayfinding Into Its Carpets

Normally, we don't see loads of innovation in the carpet industry -- how much can you really do with a bunch of thread that exists only to be stepped on? -- but Holland's Lama Concept has managed to produce something pretty fresh: Cell+LED, a carpet that doubles as a customizable wayfinding system.

Philips has acquired Optimum Lighting

Royal Philips Electronics has acquired Optimum Lighting LLC, a privately owned company specializing in customized energy-efficient lighting solutions for the office, industry and retail segments. This acquisition complements Philips’ customer-centric innovation capabilities and strengthens its global leadership position in professional lighting solutions.“Office lighting uses approximately 30% of the total energy consumption in buildings, so there is a great opportunity to upgrade the older inefficient lighting currently used in the majority of buildings to state-of-the-art energy-efficient solutions,” said Rudy Provoost, Chief Executive Officer of Philips Lighting. “The acquisition of Optimum Lighting further strengthens our overall ability to deliver tailor-made turnkey solutions to our customers that provide superior lighting performance, while reducing their operating expenses.”
Founded in 2005, Optimum Lighting manufactures a full range of lighting fixtures designed to meet the needs of the growing demand for energy-efficient products. The company excels in the rapid design, building and engineering of customized energy-efficient lighting solutions and the delivery of associated services for the professional market. Optimum Lighting is headquartered in Henderson, North Carolina, USA, with approximately 70 employees. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

--

Vanderbilt University classrooms, Pasadena library get LEDs

Vanderbilt University installs LED retrofit lamps in a classroom building, eliminating 34 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions while LEDtronics supplied SSL retrofit lamps to the Pasadena, California Central Library. LEDtronics retrofitted 900W metal-halide pendant lamps in the Pasadena, California Central Library with a 95W LED cluster both slashing energy costs and reducing maintenance costs related to lamp replacement. At Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, the university’s plant operations staff replaced 50W MR-16 halogen bulbs in the Buttrick Hall classroom building with 6W solid-state lighting (SSL) retrofit lamps with the goal of saving 57,000 kWh per year.

LED bulbs change the lighting equation

Five years ago they were in the lab; now you can buy LED lightbulbs at a hardware store. Should you? They produce as much light as incandescent bulbs for less than a fifth the electricity and heat, they last up to 20 years, and they fit in standard sockets

Inefficient 100W light bulbs banned in California

New regulations have come into force in California requiring light bulb manufacturers to produce more energy-efficient products. The new standard actually comes as part of the federal Energy Independence and Security Act, which was signed into law by President George W Bush in 2007

RONA Electricals steps in to reduce electricity bills

A new optoelectronic components manufacturer, RONA Electricals (Pvt) Ltd, will set up a factory to manufacture solid-state lighting or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs in the Gampaha district in Sri Lanka with the aim of introducing more energy saving lighting among Sri Lankan consumers and thereby reducing their electricity bill, an official of the company said. It will also provide direct employment to many and also outsourcing opportunities to local component manufacturers.

LED Colour-changing shower

Transform your shower into a one-stop disco with this funky shower head. Just turn on your shower and the lights let you know if it's hot or cold, or you can just crank it up and the red, green and blue LEDs get the party started. It's easy to install and requires no batteries as water flow charges up the head. Available from thedeal.co.nz

Lumi Mask Sleep Goggles Wake Wearer Up Slowly

Like a personal SAD light that wakes you up in the mornings with “natural” light, the Lumi Mask can be programmed with the wake-up time in evenings. 30 minutes prior to that time in the morning, it begins glowing softly.

Shedding some light on various bulb types

Not all light bulbs are created equal. Some are intended to enhance the look of your fixture; others are content to be merely being functional. Either way, it's imperative to use the correct bulb for your lighting needs. Here's a quick rundown of the different types of bulbs.