GT Solar shares surge on LED contract

Shares of GT Solar International Inc. surged more than 10 percent after the company on Wednesday reported a nearly $219 million order to supply production equipment to a Chinese company entering the market for light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. GT Solar said the order for its sapphire crystallization furnaces is from Guizhou Haotian Optoelectronics Technology Co., which plans to use the equipment as it launches operations to manufacture sapphire and other crystalline products used in LEDs.

LED Bulbs That Try to Please the Eye

For years, experts have predicted that LEDs, the technology used in digital clocks, would eclipse compact fluorescents as an energy-saving alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. Now Switch Lighting, a venture capitalist-financed company in San Jose, Calif., says it has come up with an LED bulb that emits light eye-pleasing enough to make that happen.

LED Colour Changing Bulb

If your idea of mood lighting is hitting the dimmer switch or lighting a couple of candles, this colour-changing remote controlled LED bulb is going to blow your mind! With 16 colour combinations and 4 separate lighting effects, you can control the ambience of your room with the click of a button – from chilled-out phasing glow to at-home strobe disco without even leaving the comfort of your armchair.

Lights go out on Edison’s bright idea

On Jan. 27, 1880, less than two years after introducing his tin foil phonograph, Thomas Alva Edison earned a patent for another bright idea: the incandescent light bulb. Rutherford B. Hayes was president of a U.S. with 38 states and a booming railroad industry that was starting to replace the horse and buggy. Edison’s 131-year-old bulb still lights homes worldwide. In an age when iPhones get revamped every few months, its longevity stands out. Yet its eclipse is coming. The United States is on the verge of a lighting revolution that will oust the traditional incandescent in favor of more energy efficient (and less polluting) alternatives. Are you ready?

Seven-Eleven Japan to Install LED Lighting

Affected by power shortages in Japan’s eastern and northeastern regions, Seven-Eleven Japan has planed to replace in-store and signboard lights with LED lighting at 5,000 outlets of its convenience store chain as part of a 10 billion yen program to cope with this problem.
At present, Seven-Eleven Japan has some 6,000 outlets in Tokyo Electric Power’s service area alone. And it’s estimated that power saving of per store is125 kilowatts a day. The company expects to cut the consumption of electricity by 25 percent in the July-September period. It also includes installation of solar panels on 1,000 stores. Other convenience stores operators such as Lawson Inc also plans to install LED bulbs at 10,000 of its stores across Japan, starting with 3,000 outlets in Tokyo and surrounding prefectures by August.

Zeroing in on the Elusive Green LED

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new method for manufacturing green-colored LEDs with greatly enhanced light output.
The research team, led by Christian Wetzel, professor of physics and the Wellfleet Constellation Professor of Future Chips at Rensselaer, etched a nanoscale pattern at the interface between the LED’s sapphire base and the layer of gallium nitride (GaN) that gives the LED its green color. Overall, the new technique results in green LEDs with significant enhancements in light extraction, internal efficiency, and light output.
The discovery brings Wetzel one step closer to his goal of developing a high-performance, low-cost green LED. “Green LEDs are proving much more challenging to create than academia and industry ever imagined,” Wetzel said. “Every computer monitor and television produces its picture by using red, blue, and green. We already have powerful, inexpensive red and blue LEDs. Once we develop a similar green LED, it should lead to a new generation of high-performance, energy-efficient display and illumination devices. This new research finding is an important step in the right direction.”
Sapphire is among the least expensive and widely used substrate materials for manufacturing LEDs, so Wetzel’s discovery could hold important implications for the rapidly growing, fast-changing LED industry. He said this new method should also be able to increase the light output of red and blue LEDs.

N.S. premier defends proposal to legislate LED roadway lighting across province

Criticism over proposed legislation to make the use of LED roadway lighting mandatory in Nova Scotia had the premier on the defensive. Darrell Dexter took issue with reported comments by Port Hawkesbury Mayor Billy Joe MacLean, who said the proposed $100-million plan came out of the blue. MacLean, who is also president of the Nova Scotia Union of Municipalities, said that it remained unclear how much it would cost municipalities to pay for the switch.

For Philips, LED is the way to go

Last month, Philips announced its entry into LED (light emitting diodes)-based solar-powered lighting solutions. Developed by its R&D facility in Noida, the initiative was a part of the Dutch firm’s move to offer customers simplified solutions. Philips, the market leader in lighting products, also showed a sneak preview of a portable solar-powered LED rechargeable light. The product, currently under development, would hit the market soon.

Scientists figure out why LED is impractical for general lighting purposes

Their work will help engineers develop a new generation of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting that could replace incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. Scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, say that they have figured out what makes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) impractical for general lighting purposes. Chris Van de Walle, a professor in the Materials Department at UC Santa Barbara headed the research group that carried out the work.

LED vs. incandescent: An Easter-time 'meltdown'

One of the things that amazes me most about the ordinary incandescent light bulb is that in addition to its superb ability to drive up household electric bills (when compared to more efficient CFLs and LEDs), is how much heat one actually gives off. I mean, seriously, you can bake a tray of moist and delicious brownies with a single 100-watter! To further demonstrate that a whopping 90 percent of the energy emitted by a standard incandescent light bulb is heat and not light, the folks at Cree are sacrificing a poor, unsuspecting chocolate Easter bunny.

New light bulb standards flash point for controversy

New light bulb standards set to take effect next year should make America’s energy consumption lighter, but some complain the green initiative isn’t such a bright idea. The federal regulation will likely reduce the average home’s lighting costs by about 79 percent, according to EPB spokeswoman Lacie Newton. While lighting accounts for less than 10 percent of the average power bill — heating and air conditioning take up more than half — Newton said every bit can help.

Cree earnings, outlook disappoint again

LED maker Cree Inc (CREE.O) reported a profit on Tuesday that missed Wall Street estimates and forecast lower-than-expected earnings in the current quarter due to high inventories and falling prices, sending its shares lower in after-hours trade. Demand for light emitting diodes, which are used in products like televisions and mobile phones, has exploded in recent years as screens appear in more devices.

American Lighting Expands Product Line

American Lighting announced three new high performance additions to its LED Wall Washer product family - the Linear LED RGB Wall Washer, the Linear Warm White LED Wall Washer and the Warm White LED Wall Washer. Used for architectural, façade and event lighting the LED lighting solutions provide warm white and colorful illuminations while cutting energy bills and maintenance costs.
“The latest additions to our LED wall washer product line provide vibrant and energy efficient solutions for all types of architectural structures while eliminating many ongoing maintenance issues,” said David Wilkins, CEO of American Lighting. “We’ve had great success with our LED wall washer line including installations at Invesco Field at Mile High and the Denver City and County Building to name a few, and are pleased to introduce the new Linear LED RGB Wall Washers, the LED Linear Warm White Wall Washers and the Warm White LED Wall Washers. Our new line of LED wall washer products provide customers with a broader range of lighting options, giving them increased flexibility and the ability to light hard to reach areas. This not only helps to achieve better lighting coverage but enhances existing implementations.”

LEDs drive revenue growth at Philips Lighting

Packaged LEDs and solid-state lighting products are proving to be a strong revenue driver at Royal Philips Electronics, pushing the giant company’s lighting business back onto a solid growth curve in the first quarter of the year. Philips reported that, overall, its first quarter sales of €5.26 billion ($7.48 billion) were up 6% on the same period last year, with its lighting division contributing €1.90 billion to that total after rising by a similar amount. The company was keen to highlight the spin-off of its television business into a joint venture in its latest investor call - something that Philips has been working on for several quarters. But over the past 12 months, sales of packaged LEDs have been an impressive source of revenue growth. Philips said that LED components accounted for 7% of its lighting division’s total revenues of €7.6 billion over that period - equivalent to about €530 million.

LED Illuminated Teeth: Only in Japan

The latest thing in Japanese orthodontistry involves putting LEDs into braces. Actually, no, but hip young Japanese kids can have their teeth outfitted with LEDs to light up their smiles like a Christmas tree.

LED Task Light Enhances Visual Performance

SpaceCo Business Solutions, Inc. has introduced the Wave Light, an LED task light designed to overcome the disadvantages of traditional LED fixtures and provide the best visual performance in the task lighting market by illuminating the desired work area only.
With its patent pending photocell technology integrated into the head of the light, Wave Light will be able to detect the light conditions and automatically adjust the power settings according to the current environment. The result is a more balanced light field as well as reduced energy costs and less eyestrain on the individual while performing their task.
Ergonomically adjustable, Wave Light effectively minimizes shadows and eliminates glare to provide enhanced visual comfort for higher productivity. With its patented refractive lens technology, Wave Light eliminates the shortcomings of other LED lights, is LEED credit eligible and has a projected life in excess of 50,000 hours.

Hella Supplies Full-LED Lighting Technology for the Audi A6

Hella, a leading supplier of automotive lighting and electronics, is providing an optional full-LED headlamp system with adaptive front lighting for the 2011 Audi A6. Hella's "intelligent" LED lighting technology is one of four headlight systems the company supplies to Audi for the A6.  Relying on 64 LEDs to provide light distribution for a variety of driving situations, Hella's system generates light that is considerably closer to actual daylight than light from other systems, improving driver vision during evening hours and increasing overall comfort and safety.
"The Audi A6's sporty appearance is enhanced by LED lighting as well," notes Steffen Pietzonka, vice president of marketing for Hella's automotive lighting group. "Our LED system clearly contributes to the distinctive styling that differentiates the Audi A6 from other luxury cars." 
The Audi A6's LED headlamps automatically create light patterns uniquely suited for city, country and highway driving situations, as well as for adverse weather conditions. Settings to reduce glare in fog or heavy rain, for example, provide a broader spectrum of light than traditional fog lamps. Drivers have a choice of four Hella headlight systems on the A6, including a halogen system, static as well as camera-controlled high-intensity discharge (HID) systems and a full-LED system.
Hella's dynamic headlamp-leveling feature is offered with the Audi A6's HID and LED systems. The feature adjusts for changes in headlamp angle caused by braking, rapid acceleration or road conditions to maintain optimal visibility for the driver without blinding oncoming traffic. The Audi A6's HID lighting, in both static and AFS versions, showcases Hella's lighting and electronics expertise as well, Pietzonka adds. 
With the company's camera-controlled HID lighting systems, a windshield camera detects oncoming vehicles.  The system adapts the shape of the front headlight beams to avoid blinding oncoming traffic, while providing the best possible range of light for all driving conditions.  If the road ahead is clear, the system automatically switches to high beam.  Wide illumination of the road continues until other vehicles come into view.

How to interpret LED lamp data

LED lamps are now rapidly replacing conventional incandescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in domestic and commercial lighting. Understanding the data that is presented with respect to lamp performance and operating life is the key to making informed product choices. Data on LED lamps is to be found on their packaging, or in data sheets. Some of the information is based on verifiable facts but some marketing claims may not be based on sound engineering principles. A number of major global brands are now competing for a share of the general LED lighting market. Prices are falling as the technology matures, manufacturing process become more refined and the economics of high volume manufacturing and supply chain management come into play.

SemiLEDs Punished By Downgrade

SemiLEDs (LEDS), the maker of LED chips and components, is suffering at the hands of an analyst downgrade, plunging by 5% after Canaccord pared its rating on the stock to “hold” from “buy,” citing a lack of visibility, increased competition and oversupply of LED chips on a global basis. The research firm also lowered its price target on SemiLEDs to $11 from $15. That’s barely above where the shares currently trade.

Affordable LED Table Lamps

As LED lighting becomes more affordable, more accessible and higher quality, consumers are making a huge impact on the LED market by beginning the process of converting their homes. This renovation to energy-efficient LEDs is responsible for the anticipated growth of the LED market - expected to double by 2014.
LED Table lamps and LED Desk lamps are an ideal way to begin the process of converting to LEDs. Lightology offers a vast array of award-winning, classic and modern table lamps that fit perfectly with other contemporary lighting or design styles.
Koncept offers an array of extremely popular LED desk lamps, like the I-Bar Mini and the Z-Bar, that fold away or extend for high-power LED brightness with four-step dimming. The Equo recently earned a 'Best in Class' award from Next Generation Luminaires, an LED competition sponsored by the Department of Energy. The Equo earned this recognition for its touch-sensitive control strip that turns the lamp on and off and dims with a gentle sliding motion. It was also noted for its nice shape, cool design and great value.
One of the most popular debuts in modern lighting this year was the Kelvin LED from Flos. Designed by Antonio Citterio, the fixture has a on/off touch sensor, 365° adjustable arm and 355° adjustable head. It consumes a mere 8 watts, is made entirely of recycled materials and non-toxic paint and has a soft, warm white light that, until recently, has been difficult to achieve with LED light sources.
The Link Table Lamp from Pablo adds a bit of whimsy and fun to Lightology's LED Table Lamp selection - coming in a variety of hues like green, orange, white, silver, grey and black and can be matched with the coordinating Link Clamp-On, Link Wall Mount and Link Floor Lamp versions.
Some iconic fixtures, like Tolomeo from Artemide and Berenice from Luce Plan are now available in LED for a contemporary lighting touch that will never go out of style. See our full selection of LED Table Lamps or browse our website to experience all the contemporary lighting solutions we offer - including chandeliers, bathroom lighting, wall sconces, ceiling fans, outdoor lighting and pendants.

Osram LEDs help create new automotive-lighting applications

Osram Opto Semiconductors' active development of automotive LED technology is paying off handsomely in the form of moneymaking production devices. The company's technology is being used in the "Light Line," a pedestrian-warning system based on LEDs installed in the pavement that switch from green to red to show pedestrians when the street can be crossed safely. The new warning light was developed by DSTA, a Spanish company that designs and manufactures LED devices for traffic lighting and transportation.

LED network maker Digital Lumens raises $10M

Digital Lumens, which provides software to remotely manage warehouse lighting powered by light-emitting diodes (LEDs), has raised $10 million in its second round of funding. The company specializes in making LED lighting fixtures that attach to a wireless mesh network. Building owners can then manage that lighting network through a web-based interface. The online component also tracks a number of statistics, such as light and energy usage and building efficiency.

California needs a better light bulb solution

In the name of conservation, California is correctly urging consumers to use energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, and leading the nation on an important environmentalist step. But there is a problem: What to do with bulbs once they burn out, as they all will? Fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal. People should not toss the bulbs into the garbage, lest they make their way to local dumps. But as most consumers have found, there is no easy way to dispose of them in an ecologically sound manner.

LDK Solar makes $40 million entry into LED business

Solar wafer producer LDK Solar Co will invest about $40 million to enter into the business of sapphire substrates used to make LEDs, which are likely to see higher demand as power generation costs and greenhouse gas emission concerns rise. Solar companies, including LDK and GT Solar, are diversifying into other businesses to offset potential setbacks in their traditional business because of subsidy cuts in major markets of Europe.

Entegris launches 150mm Thick Wafer Shipper for LED manufacturing

At last month’s 2011 SEMICON China trade show in Shanghai, Entegris Inc of Billerica, MA, USA, which provides products for purifying, protecting and transporting materials used in semiconductor manufacturing, showcased its latest solutions for semiconductor and LED manufacturers. Specifically, to meet LED makers’ increasing need for improved production, Entegris demonstrated how its new Ultrapak 150mm Thick Wafer Shipper and Aeronex gas purification systems can help manufacturers improve yields by enhancing and preserving wafer integrity.
The new Ultrapak 150mm Thick Wafer Shipper is designed for shipping the 1.3mm-thick wafers commonly used in LED chip manufacturing. The polypropylene shipper secures wafers to limit rotation, reduce particle contamination and prevent damage or breakage.
Specific modifications include improving wafer spacing and pitch to fit wafers that are thicker than standard silicon wafers. The design also features a new secondary packaging system to support and protect the heavier load. The new shipper expands Entegris’ current line of LED wafer handling products, which includes a multiple wafer shipper for thin wafers (the Ultrapak 100mm Thin Wafer Shipper, launched at January’s SEMICON Korea 2011 tradeshow), single-wafer shippers, and multiple wafer carriers used for in-fab processing.

Are LCDs losing out to LED TV?

The sale of plasma and LCD television sets in the UAE has gone down due to the newer technology of LED ones, a trend which is expected to continue, according to some retaliers in the electronics segment. “There is a definite shift in consumer preference for LED technology. In 2009, LED TV had a share of around five per cent in the overall panel category. This year, we see the share growing to over 45 per cent and we expect this trend to continue,” Gaurav Malaviya, Business Head at Plug-Ins, told Emirates 24|7.

Let There Be Wii Light

A patent filed back in 2009 in Japan shows a device called Wii Light, which reacts to how a gamer plays a video game and produces a spectrum of colours via red, blue, and green LEDs. The accessory can output 256 colours by controlling which LEDs are turned on and by saturation adjustment. As this is just a patent, it doesn't necessarily mean it will come to market, but if it did, do you think it will add something beneficial to your video gaming experience?

Daktronics Releases Industry White Paper on Digital Billboard Calibration

When it comes to digital billboard advertising, image quality is everything. With Daktronics' pioneering calibration methods, LED billboards continue to look great years after their installation. As the world's leading digital billboard manufacturer, Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq:DAKT) of Brookings, S.D., applied its calibration techniques developed for the company's LED video displays to its digital billboard line, ensuring that static imagery pops with photo-realism and brilliance expected by outdoor companies and their clients.Now Daktronics has released "Digital Billboard Calibration White Paper" further explaining the importance of calibration and Daktronics holistic approach at: www.daktronics.com/bbwhitepaper. In addition, to help customers better understand Daktronics' patented remote field calibration process, view an educational video at: www.daktronics.com/bbvideo.
Daktronics uses the very best light emitting diodes (LEDs) available from the leading manufacturers ensuring customers the highest image quality and color consistency throughout a digital billboard's lifetime. However, it is a fact that all LEDs, including those used in digital billboards, gradually degrade over time, slowly losing some of their original brightness and uniformity.

Cree claims LED production cost, color solution

A manufacturing breakthrough will result in lower costs for better color LEDs, LED manufacturer Cree announced Wednesday. Cree says it's been able to apply a new method of color mixing to produce an LED light that's akin to an incandescent light bulb in color and uniformity. The LED light uses 4 watts of power while offering 340 lumens at 3,000 degrees Kelvin (warm white) and operating at a temperature of 85 degrees Celsius. The LEDs are intended for use in fixtures that would normally take a 20- to 25-watt halogen bulb, such as track lighting, picture lights, projection light fixtures, and chandeliers

Cutting Edge Under Cabinet Solutions Hit the Marketplace By Force

Contractors and homeowners alike are lining up to get the latest technology in home lighting. The old ways of lighting under cabinets, work spaces, and task areas are giving way to new LED technology. Daniel Alvarez, co-founder of LED Distributors explains, "The manners in which we light our homes have become a lot more simple, efficient, and stylish in the last two years. We are constantly innovating new ways to incorporate new LED technologies that help our customers improve their living spaces and save on their electrical costs. Our clients constantly thank us and keep returning! You can't beat that." This week, LED Distributors is launching their new line of fully customizable and beautifully designed LED Under Cabinet Light Bars.
The future of home lighting:LED under cabinet lighting uses 85% less energy than traditional lighting applications. As fluorescent and incandescent lighting become obsolete, new and elegant LED lighting solutions are quickly being introduced. Equipped with top of the line Edison or Cree LEDs, the 2011 LED Under Cabinet Lights are among the brightest and durable of their kind. They come complete with a beautifully brushed silver or black finish, easy-install connectors, and securing brackets. Customers can choose from pure white or warm white to match any decor or mood. Along with the installation guide, all LED Under Cabinet Lights come with a 2-year Warranty.
LED Distributors sell LED lighting for commercial and residential applications. Their assembly and distribution center is located four miles west of Disneyland in Stanton, California. Even though the company has grown substantially since its creation in 2008, the staff is friendly, knowledgeable and offer superior customer service. LED Distributors have positioned themselves in the forefront of the LED lighting wave by providing fully customizable easy to install LED lighting solutions at affordable prices. They have assisted thousands of customers in their projects by providing how-to and DIY videos on their company website.

Energy Star standards could boost LED sales

New Energy Star standards for consumer lighting could boost business for Oregon companies selling LED lighting. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Tuesday updated standards for light fixtures to qualify for the Energy Star label. Effective Oct. 1, in order to receive Energy Star endorsement, light fixtures will need to increase efficiency 30 percent above currently qualified fluorescent-based fixtures. In 2013, the requirement will rise to 40 percent greater efficiency than current Energy Star lighting.

Cree, Osram Sign Agreement to Speed Adoption of LED Lighting

Cree, Inc. and Osram GmbH announced the signing of a comprehensive, worldwide patent cross-license agreement in an effort to speed the adoption of LED technology. The cross-license agreement covers patents from both parties in the fields of blue LED chip technology, white LEDs and phosphors, packaging, LED luminaires and lamps, and LED lighting control systems.

Mercury in new light bulbs not being recycled, escaping to environment

The nation's accelerating shift from incandescent bulbs to a new generation of energy-efficient lighting is raising an environmental concern -- the release of tons of mercury every year. The most popular new light -- the curly cue, compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs -- account for a quarter of new bulb sales and each contains up to 5 milligrams of mercury, a potent neurotoxin that's on the worst-offending list of environmental contaminants. Demand for the bulbs is growing as federal and state mandates for energy-efficient lighting take effect, yet only about 2 percent of residential consumers and one-third of businesses recycle them, according to the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers.

Ben Heck and element14 Help Combat the Spread of Germs

element14, a collaborative social community and electronics store for design engineers and electronics enthusiasts, and modding guru Benjamin J. Heckendorn, a.k.a. Ben Heck, help combat the spread of germs in hospital settings by modding a hand sanitizer dispenser into a motion detecting reminder system in the latest episode of "The Ben Heck Show."  "Automatic hand sanitizer dispensers are great tools, but how do we know if people actually use them?" asked Ben. "This was a question submitted by one of our viewers and it turned into an interesting challenge for the show. I was able to mod an everyday hand sanitizer into an active tool to be used in the arsenal to fight the spread of infection in hospitals."
The idea for the hand sanitizer build came from show fan and physician Arun Mathews, to help prevent hospital-acquired infections. Arun joins Ben to tackle the challenge on the show, building a dispenser featuring enhanced motion sensors, blinking LEDs and an amplifier, which gives hospital staff and patrons an audible reminder to wash their hands. Ben also integrates a parallax propeller development board and SD card to log motion detected data, and a clock to log the time of hand sanitization compliance or non-compliance.

Black Dice LED Guru Watches Light Up Your Wrist

The Neon LED Guru watch reminds me of some of the better Spoon watches (S.A.M. and S.A.M. 2) that Seiko released years ago, before there were many different kinds of cool Japanese watches available. But unlike Tokyoflash’s watches, you don’t need to decipher them to tell the time

Opportunities Abound In Small Cap Green Technology

A recent study from the Smart Lighting Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) found that if all the world's light bulbs were replaced with new, super energy efficient, light emitting diode (LED) bulbs for a period of ten years, it would save nations close to $2 trillion in energy costs by reducing the need to burn almost one billion barrels of oil. The decline in oil consumption would reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by 10.68 gigatons. For reference, that $2 trillion is $400 billion MORE than the United States Federal budget for 2010.
To put it another way - if over the same 10 year timeframe wind energy production increased at its current rate only 1 gigaton would be shaved off of carbon emissions. Right now in the U.S., wind energy accounts for only 1 percent of our electricity use - solar is even further behind at a paltry 0.1 percent.

Growing LED Sector Dragged Down by Industry Leaders

The light-emitting diode (LED) market has grown in recent years due to the rise in sales of consumer electronics products such as mobile phones and television screens. In addition LEDs are on the verge of overtaking both incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs in terms of use as governments, businesses and consumers seek to curb emissions. The rise in LED popularity has led to an overcrowded industry and a sudden surge in government-backed Chinese LED makers has eaten into the market shares held by the likes of Cree and Veeco Instruments. The Bedford Report examines the outlook for companies in the semiconductor equipment and materials industry and provides research reports on Cree, Inc. and Veeco Instruments, Inc.
Recently, LED heavyweight Cree pulled itself and many other notable names in the industry down after it warned that revenue for its fiscal third quarter will be well short of previous forecasts. "It has taken longer to work through customer inventories than previously anticipated and pricing was lower than the company had previously forecast," Cree said. Cree claims that LED component demand has improved post the Chinese New Year, but that revenue is below previous targets.
Reflecting on the industry in general, Cree CEO Chuck Swoboda believes the huge increase in chip production to service LED backlighting applications in recent years has put pressure on the rest of the market. Weak demand in backlighting has meant that lots of spare LED chips are now available for other applications.
The Bedford Report releases regular market updates on the semiconductor equipment and materials industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at www.bedfordreport.com and get exclusive access to our numerous analyst reports and industry newsletters.
Veeco is more optimistic. For 2011, the company projected a profit of more than $5 a share, versus the Wall Street consensus of $4.96 a share, as provided by Thomson Reuters. For the financial year 2010, Veeco earned $4.42 per share, a substantial gain from 21 cents a share in the previous year.

Civic body stresses use of LEDs to save energy

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is in the process of implementing a new 'Advertisement policy' to curb the number of illegal hoardings and avoid wastage of electricity consumed by the 3,439-odd neon sign boards and hoardings erected across the city. Ramesh Shelar, head of the sky signs department said that the new policy clear states that advertisers must now use LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) in the neon sign boards to reduce the amount of energy consumption.

Pittsburgh City Streetlights Could Change

Pittsburgh City Council has taken the first step toward creating the city’s first-ever lighting code and at the same time moved down the path toward installing new LED streetlights in every business district. In May of 2008, the city launched a test project to install LED streetlights on half of Walnut Street in Shadyside. The experiment was well received by most and since then, various council members have been pushing for more. The city is sitting on an $800 thousand state grant to help put new lights in all of the city’s approximately 30 business districts and councilman Bill Peduto says the grant expires if the work is not put out to bid this spring.

Finelite Introduces New Energy-Efficient LED Desk Lamp

Finelite announces the second in a series of energy-efficient LED desk lamps – the Reach. The ENERGY STAR qualified desk lamp is available now for anyone who wants more light for less cost. Following in the footprints of first-generation lamp Curve, Reach offers the same award-winning technology but with an added twist – an adjustable arm lets you fine-tune your light with ease. Anyone with a workspace – commercial or residential - will love the flexibility to light your entire task area with a single desk lamp.
Like light bulbs, LEDs generate heat. Reach solves this thermal management problem with internal heat transfer pads and a head designed to radiate heat away from vital internal components, so you get enhanced light output and a long-term product life. Plus, there are two stylish head designs to choose from: Viper has a triangular geometric shape, while Velo offers you a smooth, curved look. Whatever you choose, your Reach lamp will make a contemporary statement in any office.