Solar lights for the garden add drama and safety

Few things are prettier in a night garden than soft pools of light illuminating interesting trees, pathways or accent rocks and plants. Whether on a small terrace or in a sweeping landscape, lighting creates a welcoming, often dramatic atmosphere. But in some cases, buried-wire electric lighting can be costly and impractical. The answer might be solar lighting.

LED grill light

Grilling is all about good times that nobody wants to see come to end. So despite the encroachment of dark, boundaries get pushed as one more item gets thrown on the grill. And then ends up burnt to a crisp because nobody can see when grilling in the dark. Fun in the sun is fun and all, but when the sun goes down, it doesn't mean the party (or the food) has to end. The LED Barbeque Grill Light is a heavy-duty model that supplies illumination via 18 LEDs. The 13-inch light mounts horizontally, vertically, or even to angled surfaces up to almost 5 inches thick. The business end of the light is at the end of a flexible gooseneck, allowing for maximum versatility and illumination wherever the light is needed.

Time to flip the switch on light bulb choices

Around the world the question of how we respond to climate change is a controversial topic. Much of the debate is focused around economy-wide measures and international agreements like those discussed at the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun last year. While solutions at that level have been hard to come by, a good part of the answer lies with a simple solution: the humble light bulb.

Vishay Intertechnology Releases White LED Modules

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. today announced three cool white LED modules assembled with 6 or 12 high-bright LEDs. The VLPC0601A2 features 6 LEDs in a row on a 240 mm x 14 mm PCB that provides 870 lm. The VLPC1201A2J features 12 LEDs in a row on a 240 mm x 14 mm PCB that provides 1740 lm. The VLPC1201A2 is simply half a VLPC1201A2J, resulting in two modules each measuring 120 mm x 14 mm with 6 LEDs and luminous flux of 870 lm. This broad portfolio of options allows designers to select the ideal size PCB and light intensity for their applications.
Designed to replace fluorescent lights in commercial, industrial, and residential applications, for backlighting signage, and for automotive applications, the VLPC0601A2, VLPC1201A2J, and VLPC1201A2 offer a color temperature range of 5000 K to 7000 K. The devices feature a shiny white surface and a metal-core, single-side PCB with a Cu thickness greater than 0.75 microns. The VLPC0601A2 features an LED pitch of 40 mm while the VLPC1201A2J and VLPC1201A2 have an LED pitch of 20 mm.
The VLPC0601A2, VLPC1201A2J, and VLPC1201A2 have a maximum current of 700 mA and viewing angle of 80 degrees. All are based on InGaN technology. The LED modules are available in color bins. The devices comply with ROHS 2002/95/EC.

TCP Earns LightFair Innovation Award

TCP is a recipient of two different Innovation Awards during the 2011 LightFair International show, which was held in Philadelphia, PA from May 17-20. Receiving recognition for their advancements in technology and design were TCP's all-new TruStart™ CFL and the n:fusion PAR 38 / PAR30 LEDs, which were introduced by TCP at the show.
TCP's new TruStart CFLs are the world's first programmed-instant start CFLs, and provide an extremely fast run up time of 15 to 20 seconds using TCP's exclusive micro-chip controlled ballast technology. These new lamps have an unparalleled life rating of 20,000 hours, and are perfectly compatible with occupancy sensors. TruStart CFLs will be available in 13 watt, 18 watt, and 23 watt Springlamps® later this year.
Also recognized at LightFair, TCP's n:fusion™ LED lamps provide the industry's best directional light output performance by combining cutting-edge ballast technology, innovative optical design, plus TCP's advanced LED driver componentry, making them excellent alternatives to traditional PAR halogens. TCP n:fusion LED lamps include PAR20, PAR30, PAR38 applications and will be available this summer.

How to Make Money During the LED Revolution

According to the Bible, "God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." Not long ago, Congress said, "Let there be no incandescent light of 100-watt capacity or more beyond 2012." Fortunately, this time, LED light is here to assist. With demand for energy-saving devices going up, LEDs -- or light-emitting diodes -- might just be the next leading light of the market. For the Foolish investor, this could be a good opportunity to add some brightness to your portfolio.

ElectroniCast releases forecast of LEDs used in medical & biophotonic devices

ElectroniCast Consultants has released a new market research study of the global consumption value of packaged light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used in medical and biophotonic devices, covering devices which transfer energy via light (such as therapy or surgery) as well as applications which excite matter via light and transfer information back to the operator (such as diagnostics). The report segments the market into the following sub-application categories: Sensing/Detection and Analytical/Monitoring; Phototherapy/Sanitation/Cell Regeneration/Curing; Instrumentation Light Source and Imaging; and Operating Theater (OT)/Surgical/Dentistry Lighting.

Cree Reportedly Wins Deal With GE For 60W LED Bulbs

Creee shares were trading higher on a report that the company has won a contract from General Electric for production of 60 watt LED replacement light bulbs. He notes that GE is the leader in 60 watt LED bulbs, with about a third of the market. “We have finally confirmed that Cree has indeed won GE’s 60W replacement bulb business,” Canaccord Genuity analyst Jonathan Dorsheimer asserts in a research note.”GE is a big win for Cree.”

Packaged LEDs in general lighting to grow

Global consumption of packaged component-level light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used in solid-state lighting (SSL) general lighting applications reached $500m in 2010 and will rise at an average annual growth rate of 33.2% to $2.1bn in 2015 and then more quickly at 44.9% to nearly $13.4bn in 2020, forecasts ElectroniCast Consultants in its latest 10-year market study*. The report also forecasts average selling price (ASP) over the 2010–2020 timeframe.

A-lamp LED products highlighted at Lightfair

LEDs again stole the show at the annual Lightfair International (LFI) conference and exhibition. While you could find plenty of conventional lighting on the exhibit floor, it was solid-state-lighting (SSL) products that were prominent in most booths ranging from A-lamp retrofits to decorative and architectural lighting. A number of companies demonstrated new LED-based 75W and 100W A-lamp replacements for incandescent bulbs, as well as offering updated technology roadmaps.

LG targets bigger LED market

LG Electronics is manufacturing low-priced light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs to be sold commercially. Efforts to expand its market will include discount outlets among sales channels. The electronics company said it is launching four models, including a 7.5 watt light bulb priced at 13,900 won, the lowest in the local LED market.

Switching off the lights gets enjoyable

To make the event of switching off the lights while walking out a room a little more enjoyable, designer Da Deng came up with the high five switch. This switch, shaped like a hand with a skin-like texture, requires a user to high five it while walking in to switch on the lights and high five it one more time while walking out to switch the lights off.

Side-by-side LED streetlight comparision in Springs

What is the big deal about LED streetlights? You can see for yourself. The City of Colorado Springs has installed seven light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights in a parking lot used by visitors to the Memorial Park Skateboard Park and Sertich Ice Center. Each newly installed light contains 80 LEDs, which emit the equivalent light at ground level as the 250-watt high pressure sodium fixtures nearby. LED lights have been shown to use up to 50 percent less energy while lasting 10 times longer than traditional streetlights.

CNY companies develop a better light bulb

The old incandescent light bulbs are on the way out, and a team of companies are jumping in with a new generation of efficient LED lighting. The LEDs are about as close to natural light as a bulb can produce. They're also more efficient and less expensive over the life of the bulb. It's a technological leap. "We talked about this next LED going from like the Commodore 64 to the iPad," said John Johnston of ProTerra LED. One of the products developed by the team of companies is a model that can replace an existing florescent bulb. It'll last years longer and use 80 percent less energy.

LEDs the shining star at trade show

First they took over our radios. Then our televisions, stereos, watches, toys, telephones, computers, and just about everything else. So is it any wonder that semiconductors are threatening to transform the lighting industry? That's the lesson of this week's Lightfair International at the Convention Center in Philadelphia, where light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are the obvious stars of the show.

LED Equivalent to 100-Watt Bulb Announced

Incandescent lighting enthusiasts who like bright lights but have witnessed a shrinking list of options can have some refreshment; Switch Lighting has announced the first ever LED equivalent to a 100-watt bulb. The company reports that this energy efficient bulb creates a self-cooling environment inside that allows maximum brightness with fewer LEDs. “This is the brightest LED replacement bulb available and Switch is the only company with this innovative technology,” says the Switch press announcement.

Philips leads innovation in OLED-based lighting

Royal Philips Electronics announced that it is investing EUR 40 million to increase its production capacity for OLED-based lighting at its facility in Aachen, Germany. The investment will support the rapid growth of Philips’ OLED business, with increased availability of Philips OLED modules for high-end design lighting applications for decorative and ambience creation purposes. The additional capacity at Philips’ OLED facility in Aachen, which was originally established as a pilot production line, is expected to be available in 2012.
A new solid state lighting technology, OLEDs emit a soft and diffused light offering a new type of design freedom that is also energy-efficient. OLED lighting applications are thus particularly attractive to high-end retail, hospitality and residential construction markets for decorative and ambience creation purposes, and also hold appeal for the design-conscious consumer.
“The thin, flat nature of OLEDs makes it possible to use and easily integrate light in furniture, walls, ceilings or floors in ways that are impossible with other light sources,” said Rene van Schooten, General Manager of the Lamps business at Philips Lighting. “This additional investment in the OLED production facility at Aachen will strengthen Philips’ leadership in bringing lighting innovation to the market, enhancing our ability to offer customized and innovative OLED lighting applications.”
Philips also recently opened its Lumiblade Creative Lab in Aachen, inviting lighting designers, luminaire manufacturers and creative minds to get a hands-on experience of OLED light as a material. Furthermore, Philips has established an OLED product development cooperation with the local CERTI Institute in Florianópolis, Brazil and operates a product development center in Shanghai, China, to be able to develop and customize OLED applications with lighting designers around the world.
Philips’ investment in the OLED production facility at Aachen follows the execution of research projects funded in part by the EU, BMBF (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research) and the government of North Rhine-Westphalia.

A New Source of Green Energy: LEDs

A few years from now, morning will break on a weekday and a cadre of workers will file into a modern office building in an American city. When they first walk through the front door, an array of sensors will detect their presence and bring the lights up, adjusting levels throughout the day based on the time, angle of the sun and the weather.
Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, will be at the core of these energy-efficient smart lighting systems – chips built into light assemblies connected to a network of other lights and sensors, and controlled by host software that optimizes electricity use.

Samsung Brings Its LED Lighting Line To The US

Long recognized in the United States as a high-tech powerhouse, Samsung has set its sights on becoming a new leader in the U.S. lighting market as the industry shifts into the digital age. The company announced today it is making its first LED lamps available in the U.S. as the company couples its technological prowess in LED with its deep marketing knowledge in consumer electronics to launch LED lighting solutions into the mainstream professional and consumer market.
Samsung LED Co., Ltd. www.samsungLED.com was established globally in April 2009, channeling the company’s proven expertise in the electronics and electro-mechanics fields into the production of cutting-edge LED lighting. As a leader in LED technology from chips to TV displays, Samsung already possesses some of the largest LED production facilities in the world, helping ensure quality and reliability across the entire line of products. An American center of operations has been established in Atlanta, Ga., to support the company’s expansion into the U.S. market.
“The lighting industry has finally caught up with the digital revolution, with microchip technology powering lamps enabling longer lifetimes, more environmentally-friendly designs and less energy consumption,” says Philip Warner, Vice President of Samsung LED America. “The Samsung brand is practically synonymous with consumer electronics. As more and more people recognize the future of home and commercial lighting lies in this amazing digital technology, we are confident Samsung will take a leading position in the market.”
Samsung’s initial line-up ranges from omni-directional incandescent replacements to fluorescent and PAR replacement lamps for homes and businesses. Samsung’s vertically integrated supply chain allows the company to produce all aspects of LED lights, including chips, PKGs, modules, light engines and lamps. The company is also a technology leader in areas of thermal management, optics, power supplies and lighting controls.
Philip Warner, Vice President, added that Samsung will put its full research and design might into developing the next generation of LED lamps. “We will not dilute our offerings with high-efficiency incandescent or even CFLs, as these are yesterday’s technologies. Our focus is 100-percent on LED,” he said.
LED lamps create light by running an electrical current through a microchip. They are increasingly replacing light bulbs in both indoor and outdoor settings due to their higher energy efficiency and longer lifespans compared to traditional incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs, while providing warm pleasing light.

Light bulbs for $ 50

Two leading makers of lighting products are showcasing LED bulbs that are bright enough to replace energy-guzzling 100-watt light bulbs set to disappear from stores in January. Their demonstrations at the LightFair trade show in Philadelphia this week mean that brighter LED bulbs will likely go on sale next year, but after a government ban takes effect. The new bulbs will also be expensive — about $50 each — so the development may not prevent consumers from hoarding traditional bulbs.

Asia Technology Center (ATC) for LEDs in Taiwan

Ultratech, Inc., a supplier of lithography and laser-processing systems used to manufacture semiconductor devices and high-brightness LEDs (HB-LEDs), announced its Asia Technology Center (ATC) in Taiwan. The integrated cleanroom provides the capability for leading-edge process development and in-depth demonstrations of Ultratech's Sapphire 100 lithography system, designed for customers in the emerging HB-LED market.
To further support the company's Singapore international operations facility, announced last year, this center will enable cost-effective, leading-edge process development that can be transferred between sites or across Ultratech's large customer base throughout the Pacific Rim.  Scheduled to open in the second half of 2011, the ATC furthers Ultratech's ongoing commitment to meet its international customers' needs with advanced technology solutions at the lowest cost-of-ownership.

Philips to unveil the world’s first LED replacement for the 75-watt light bulb

Royal Philips Electronics will unveil the Philips EnduraLED A21 17-watt light bulb at the LIGHTFAIR® International tradeshow, May 17-19, 2011. Designed to replace a 75-watt incandescent bulb, while reducing energy consumption by 80% and lasting 25 times longer, the Philips EnduraLED A21 17-watt marks another important milestone in LED lighting technology for everyday use. 
“We continue to test the boundaries of LED innovation with exciting products that provide energy efficiency, ambiance and extraordinary reliability,” said Ed Crawford, General Manager of Lamps for Philips Lighting North America.  “Once again we have demonstrated that consumers do not have to wait for quality alternatives to the incandescent or to sacrifice the soft white light they have become accustomed to because LED can deliver all the benefits without compromising quality.” 
The EnduraLED A21 17-watt is the latest addition to Philips’ comprehensive portfolio of light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs that can efficiently replace traditional incandescents. These include 25W and 40W equivalents, as well as the ENERGY STAR-qualified Philips EnduraLED 12.5-watt bulb, the world’s first commercially-available 60-watt replacement.
The EnduraLED A21 17-watt, which uses the company’s high-power, next-generation LUXEON LEDs, has also been developed to meet or exceed ENERGY STAR qualifications for an LED-based replacement for the 75-watt incandescent light bulb. Those specifications call for delivering 1100 lumens with just 17-watts of electricity, a color temperature of 2700k, a color rendering index (CRI) of 80, and a rated life of 25,000 hours.  The new bulb will be submitted to ENERGY STAR in the coming months for qualification testing.
Philips estimates that about 90 million 75-watt incandescent light bulbs are sold annually in the United States.  Switching to this LED replacement has the potential to reduce energy use by 5,220 megawatts of electricity, a cost savings of approximately $630,000,000 annually.  According to Philips estimates, switching to the EnduraLED 21 17-watt could also eliminate 3,255,205 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually, or the equivalent of removing nearly one million cars from the road.
As with all bulbs in the Philips LED lighting family, the new EnduraLED A21 17-watt has a rated life of 25 times longer than a standard incandescent bulb. Over its lifespan, the EnduraLED A21 17-watt could save a business or household about $160 per bulb.  Available during the fourth quarter of 2011 in the US, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for consumers has not yet been finalized but is expected to be in the range of $40 - $45.

GE plugs Edge flat-screen LED lighting for office

General Electric is expected to announce the line of LED Edge lighting fixtures that can be suspended from ceilings or recessed flush with ceiling tiles. The first of the products, a square troffer fixture design for recessed lighting, will be available by the end of this year. More stylish suspended fixtures are slated for release in the first half of next year. The four fixtures are built around coin-size LED light sources and a textured optical screen made by PC memory company Rambus to disperse light. The effect is to spread light across the full surface of a flat screen. Light can also be focused on specific areas, according to GE.

Philips updates markets on Healthcare sector

Royal Philips Electronics, will once again travel across Africa to raise awareness about how healthcare and lighting solutions can improve the quality of life across the continent. The Cape Town to Cairo road show 2011 (from 12th May to 11th July, 2011) is the second African road show undertaken by Philips. The road show will cover 12,000 kilometers in 62 days, visiting a total of twelve countries.
“As many developed countries are struggling to stimulate economic growth, a strong middle class of 313 million, or 34% of the African population, is on the rise in what is still considered the world’s most impoverished continent,’’ said Dr. Gottfried Dutiné, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Markets and Innovation at Philips, in Cape Town today. “This group of mainly young, eager and mobile Africans is rapidly rivaling the middle classes of China and India. Philips sees this continent as a new growth market.”
The Philips team will engage with customers, governments, NGOs and media to discuss experiences and insights for addressing key challenges facing Africa today: Mother and Child Care, Women’s healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and healthy living.
Central to the Cape to Cairo 2011 road show is the theme Mother and Child Care. Mothers, newborn babies and children represent the well-being of a society and its potential for the future. Their healthcare needs cannot be left unmet without harming the society as a whole.
“Even in the 21st century, we still allow eight million children and close to half a million mothers around the world to die each year from preventable complications related to pregnancy and child birth.” , said JJ van Dongen, General Manager, Philips Healthcare Africa & Country Manager Philips South Africa.“This makes the availability of and access to high quality, affordable care for all mothers and children an issue of high priority for policy makers and societies. Philips recognizes this need and through this road show wants to create dialogue and cooperation between governments, local healthcare workforces, non-governmental organizations, foundations, healthcare professional associations, and research institutions to help mothers, newborn babies and children obtain care.”
In addition to showcasing Philips solutions and starting a dialogue, the road show aims to deliver clinical education to help improve standards of care. There is a major training requirement across the continent. Recognizing the need for continuous education to advance and maintain clinical competencies, Philips will deliver customized training modules around Mother and Child Care in all key markets.
During the roadshow Philips will also introduce new solar powered lighting solutions aimed at providing a healthier and safer home environment. Today an estimated 560 million Africans live without electricity . Better lighting is likely to make home child birth safer and help reduce the very high infant mortality rate throughout the continent.

More Beautiful Than A Bulb Could Ever Be

A joint venture between JOBY and designer Peter Stathis has produced a 102-diode LED lamp that may win over even the most ardent lovers of incandescents. For their Trapeze lamp, Stathis and JOBY (makers of that famously clever flexible tripod) designed what they call a "flat panel light engine" to serve as the lamp-head.

City yields significant cost savings

When an engineering study of the city of Bryan, Ohio, indicated that there was a need—and opportunity—for more energy-efficient street lighting, city officials began to research the best alternative to meet the city's needs. After an extensive evaluation process, the city chose two LED luminaires from Cooper Lighting, a division of Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE), to replace its 150-watt high-pressure sodium (HPS) street lighting fixtures. Expecting to see a savings of 25 to 30 percent in energy costs by installing Cooper's Streetworks OVH LED Cobraheads (80W) and CLB Generation LED Decorative Post Top Luminaires (70W), officials are achieving an actual energy savings of 30 to 35 percent, and meeting the city's sustainability goals.
Bryan Municipal Utilities applied for and was awarded a $540,000 matching grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to install approximately 1,400 energy-efficient streetlights. With the goal of choosing light fixtures that would provide the same light coverage at a lower wattage and with a quality light color, officials organized a selection process in which four manufacturers participated. Engineers metered and captured various luminaires' actual energy usage and solicited feedback from the community. Community members preferred the warm white light (4000K correlated color temperature) that Cooper Lighting's LED fixtures provided, and after a complete evaluation, Bryan officials made the selection to install 329 Cooper Lighting luminaires in their streets.

Kumho Introduces Direct Replacement LED T8 Lamp

Kumho Electric is introducing the Earthcare Direct Replacement LED T8, a lamp that can simply be snapped into an existing fluorescent fixture, freeing maintenance contractors from the time consuming, costly process of re-wiring T8 fixtures to accommodate an LED lamp.
The advanced, patented design also provides for full dimming control using a standard dimmable T8 ballast and incorporates environmentally friendly passive components that offer a more reliable, longer lasting product.
"Our Earthcare T8 LED utilizes a first-of-a-kind, revolutionary design," said Kumho Electric USA president Alan Medak. "It makes switching to LEDs as easy as changing a light bulb and works with popular instant start ballasts. No rewiring or special handling is required."
Using one third less energy than a traditional linear T8, the lamp offers instant brightness, producing a 110° beam that spreads illumination uniformly, without hot spots or glare.
The lamp maintains brightness over its 50,000 hour rated life with low lumen depreciation. It also operates at a moderate temperature, reducing load on building cooling systems. The lamps are environmentally friendly, producing no UV light and containing no mercury.
The Earthcare T8 LED is well suited for difficult applications, such as refrigerator/freezer cases, high-vibration situations, or hard to reach locations.

When good lights go bad: LED breakdown

LED light bulbs augur tremendous reduction in the electricity used to light homes and offices around the world, but quality and pricing issues are keeping consumers at bay for the moment. So said LED experts and entrepreneurs on a panel discussion at the Cleantech Forum in Amsterdam, noting that mass adoption will not take place until prices fall – they can be €20 in Europe and $40 in the U.S - and until quality stabilizes.

EcoSense Lighting to Unveil Linear Ext Family of Outdoor LED White Light Fixtures

Marking the company’s debut as a LIGHTFAIR exhibitor, EcoSense Lighting will unveil its EcoSpec Linear EXT family of specifier-grade LED white light fixtures at the show. Available in the second half of this year, these fixtures deliver a brighter, more energy-efficient and lower-priced alternative to similar LED-based products on the market today. The new Linear EXT family of fixtures supplements the Linear INT family of interior fixtures released earlier this year.
The EcoSpec Linear EXT family incorporates the vast solid-state lighting expertise of the EcoSense team into two new fixtures suited to a variety of exterior white light cove applications and that offer many advantages over traditional illumination choices. With outputs ranging from over 570 to 855 lumens per foot, both provide an economical LED alternative to traditional fluorescent tubes without the mercury-derived toxins found in fluorescent sources.
The EcoSpec Linear HP EXT and Linear HP EXT Wall Wash are RoHS compliant and lead- and mercury-free. They quickly pay for themselves in reduced maintenance, replacement, and energy costs and provide substantial cost savings over their 50,000-hour usage life.

Android meets LED bulbs in Google smart-home push

By the end of this year, people will be able to buy an LED light bulb controllable from an Android device, part of Google's move into home automation. At the Google I/O conference, Google demonstrated how Android devices, including tablets and smartphones, can act as a hub for controlling multiple devices in the home, including lighting, appliances, thermostats, and music. Google concocted a lighting demo system with Lighting Sciences Group, which developed an LED bulb that can talk to Android. It uses a new mesh network wireless protocol rather than Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or the other proprietary home automation protocols.

Cree smashes white LED record – again

The US-headquartered LED maker Cree has once again set a new benchmark for the efficacy of white-light production, with a laboratory demonstration of 231 lumens per watt – approximately a 10% improvement on the previous record. The result, achieved in standard conditions with a single-die component at room temperature and an operating current of 350 mA, beats the company’s previous best of 208 lm/W, which Cree announced in February 2010. Both emitters delivered so-called “neutral-white” light, with a correlated color temperature (CCT) of around 4500 K.

Optics firms go modular for LED street lighting

Makers of LED optics are vying for business as streetlight buyers discover the benefits of solid-state lighting. It is not necessarily efficiency that make streetlight aficionados sit up, as starkly yellow old-tech low-pressure sodium lights offer 300 lm/W, compared with 100 lm/W from LEDs. What is attractive, is long life. LED luminairs have no vacuum or electrode-eating plasma and well designed example are expected to live for over 50,000 hours.

Bright lights and big ideas

The race is on to build a leaner, greener light and local inventor McMillan says he’s done it. His company, Enigma Concepts, has already beaten the decades-old overheating Harley problem and now it’s planning to change the way we look at light. McMillan’s hope lies in LEDs. “It’s the most efficient lighting system in the world and it burns cold,” McMillan said. “Our competition’s bragging about one-to-one replacement. We’re already at one-to-two replacements.”

If CFLs are burning out, check the bulb

Changing to compact fluorescent lamps is a popular way these days to help save energy. This process can take time as you replace light bulbs as they burn out. CFLs may be more expensive to purchase, but they save money in the long run. CFLs have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. If you are burned up by what you perceive as early burnout of CFLs or bulbs, it may be the CFL bulb selection and use causing the problem.

Samsung and Evident Technologies Enter Into LED Patent Agreement

Evident Technologies, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd have entered into a comprehensive patent licensing and purchasing agreement for Evident's quantum dot LED technology. This agreement grants Samsung worldwide access to Evident's patent portfolio for all products related to quantum dot LEDs from manufacture of the quantum dot nanomaterials to final LED production.
"We are excited that Samsung, the leader in consumer electronics, has licensed our quantum dot technology," said Dr. Clint Ballinger, CEO of Evident Technologies. "We already enjoy a terrific working relationship and look forward to the future of this technology."
Quantum dots are nanometer-sized semiconductor crystals that have great commercial promise in electronic applications from solar energy conversion to thermoelectrics to LEDs. Evident was the first company in the world to commercialize quantum dot LEDs with products launched in 2007.
Evident Technologies is currently focused on developing next-generation thermoelectric applications using their core quantum dot material technology. "Our goal is to greatly increase the performance of thermoelectric devices through our nano-material advances," says Dr. Ballinger. Thermoelectric devices can be used for solid-state heating and cooling as well as for converting waste heat into electricity directly.

Toshiba Introduces New High Luminous Flux White LEDs

Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc., (has announced the addition of a new series of LEDs. Using a new package design, TAEC has developed small high luminous flux white LEDs with high luminous efficiency.  With a broad lineup ranging from high-efficient, high-output models to high-color rendering models, these LEDs can be used as light sources for a variety of lighting applications, including replacement lamps, architectural lighting, retail display, commercial/industrial, outdoor and residential lighting.
Ideal as a replacement for traditional fluorescent bulbs in general lighting applications, Toshiba's new high-output white LEDs provide one of the industry's highest level of efficiency at 120 lm/W, are housed in a very thin package (0.65 mm thick, making them suitable for small equipment) and have a long lifespan due to low thermal resistance.  Additionally, a unique packaging structure and wide directional characteristics make these LEDs appropriate for lighting large areas.

Tech Lighting Envision LED Head Takes Home a Gold in First

Tech Lighting, a leading manufacturer of lighting products that deliver a blend of performance, style and aesthetic for a diverse range of applications, announced today yet another honor for its Envision light-emitting diode (LED) head. The LED head, which operates on the company's award-winning 120-volt T-TRAK lighting system or as a monopoint fixture, was selected for gold in the Interior/Track category of the first annual Architectural SSL magazine Product Innovation Awards. The magazine, published by Construction Business Media LLC, focuses on development, application, specification and design merit of LEDs and solid-state lighting throughout the built environment. More than 160 entrants competed in this first year of the competition.
The Envision Head offers a balance of design and performance. Its die-cast aluminum LED head pivots vertically 90 degrees and rotates 360 degrees, with modular components for ease of replacement. The power supply and heat sink fins both sit within the head, resulting in a clean, thoughtful, seamless design. The LED module (in 2700°K, 3000°K, and 4000°K), optic (in 15°, 25° and 40°), and power supply are all modular for ease of replacement. At 18 watts and 867 net lumens, the head offers a high level of performance. In addition to the T-TRAK and monopoint options, later this year it will be made available on numerous other track lighting systems.

Using LED Tiles To Broadcast School Doings

A small research university in New York is using LED tiles in a large video display that lets students view campus news, watch live television, and even play video games. The magic behind MicroTiles is DLP or digital light processing, a technology invented at Texas Instruments that's used in rear projection television. Luminus Devices uses the TI tech in its own line of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the PhlatLight, which is what powers the MicroTiles.

LED Taillights-Style and Performance

It was not until the arrival of the light emitting diode (LED) as a light source that the disadvantages of the incandescent bulbs used for decades really “came to light”. The incandescent bulb has a much shorter life span than an LED and they consume more power than the LED. The LED gives out a cold source of light, so there is much less energy being wasted in the form of heat.
From the viewpoint of style, the incandescent bulbs are a single point of light where the LEDs can be shaped in countless forms from lines, to clusters of multiple light sources. The freedom of design with the LEDs is almost limitless when it comes to shape and the brighter light is dazzling when compared to the incandescent bulbs. In addition, LED’s are not expensive.

Acuity Brands Expands LED Outdoor Parking Application Product Portfolio

Acuity Brands, Inc.  continues announcements of a major expansion of its outdoor LED lighting portfolio. Offered under Acuity Brands LED Outdoor, the portfolio includes solutions from six of the Company’s leading lighting solutions brands.
New to the Company’s PARK application family of products are the TersenRatio PG and the Lithonia Lighting VAP, luminaires for covered outdoor applications, and the Tersen Ratio 4.0 and Lithonia Lighting ALX, luminaires for parking lots and surrounding areas. Each LED luminaire is optimally designed for unique parking tasks and environments.
The TersenRatio PG is a LED luminaire of contemporary architectural styling, ideally suited for the parking garage. It has been designed to meet the IESNA RP-20 standards and delivers up to 100 lumens per watt in multiple lumen output packages. Its modern “finned” housing serves as an efficient heat sink while making an architectural statement. Both the symmetric and asymmetric optical distributions deliver unparalleled horizontal and vertical uniformity. The Lithonia Lighting VAP is ideal for use in applications where smart-looking, energy-efficient fixtures are desired. This luminaire is ideally designed for parking garages, canopies, transportation facilities, schools, hospitals and exterior retail environments where moisture or dust is a concern.
The TersenRatio 4.0 offers a contemporary styled luminaire that produces illumination levels equivalent to a traditional 400-watt metal halide (MH) lamp. Its design complements the Ratio PG and Ratio 1.5 to create a complete family of architectural outdoor products. Its stylistic “finned” shape serves as a heat sink as well as an architectural statement. The Lithonia Lighting ALX was designed from the start exclusively for LED technology and now produces between 18% and 25% greater light output than the original version. It is designed for streets, walkways, parking lots, and surrounding areas and delivers on the promise of long life, superior optical performance and energy savings.
Various models in the Acuity Brands LED Outdoor PARK application family are compatible with the Acuity Brands ROAM system, the Company’s industry-leading intelligent control solution, combining photo-control technology with wireless monitoring and control capabilities. Working together, LED lighting and intelligent control systems provide an integrated outdoor lighting solution enabling additional energy savings from day one. Acuity Brands LED Outdoor products adhere to IES standards for all applications, enabling maximum visibility. All luminaires in the PARK family incorporate Acuity Brands’ philosophy of providing the highest quality lighting solutions, while minimizing light pollution by putting light on task not toward the sky.

Yonkers launches fluorescent bulb recycling

Under the terms of an enforcement agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the City of Yonkers has initiated a program to recycle fluorescent light bulbs, as well as light ballasts and electronic waste, known as E-waste. Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, which can be released if the bulbs are broken. By collecting and recycling these bulbs from city residents, Yonkers will be helping to reduce the release of mercury to the environment.

In 2008, EPA inspected various buildings belonging to Yonkers and requested documentation regarding the city’s spent bulb recycling efforts. After the city did not adequately respond, EPA cited the city for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.

Agency regulations require that spent mercury and other toxic metal-containing bulbs from business, industry and government be handled as hazardous waste, which means they must be disposed of in specially licensed facilities. As an alternative, they can be handled under simpler universal waste rules to encourage their recycling.

LED bulbs move in and mix up home lighting

In the space of a few years, I've gone from one lighting technology to another and now to three lighting types in my home. I suspect others will be in the same shoes as lighting options expand, notably those involving LEDs. Eager to cut down my electrical load, I essentially converted to compact fluorescent lighting (CFLs) years ago. Recently, though, I've replaced CFLs with efficient LED bulbs and even energy-hogging incandescents to address an unfortunate feature of CLFs: turning them on and off frequently degrades their life.

Lighting CEO Provoost to leave Philips

Royal Philips Electronics today announced that Rudy Provoost will leave as Chief Executive Officer of the Lighting sector and Member of the Board of Management per September 30, 2011 to join the Management Board of Rexel, a global leader in the distribution of electrical supplies, and become its Chairman in 2012. Philips will announce a successor to Mr. Provoost in due course.
“I thank Rudy for his considerable contributions to Philips and I regret to see him go,” said Frans van Houten, President and Chief Executive Officer of Philips. “In his three years as CEO of Lighting, Philips has strengthened its leadership position in lighting and I wish him all the best in his new role.’’ 
“After more than a decade with Philips, I am ready to take on a new challenge”, said Rudy Provoost, Chief Executive Officer of Philips Lighting. “As the global lighting industry is going through a major transformation towards energy-efficient LED lighting and an increased focus on complete lighting solutions, I am confident that Philips Lighting is well positioned and will remain a driving force in the lighting industry.’’
Mr. Provoost, born in 1959 in Belgium, joined Philips in October 2000 as Executive Vice-President of Consumer Electronics Europe and in 2004 he became Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Electronics division, which has since been merged with Domestic Appliances and Personal Care into the Consumer Lifestyle sector. In April 2006, Mr. Provoost was appointed a member of the Board of Management and two years later he took the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Lighting sector.

LED maker Lighting Science to foray into India by September

US-based LED manufacturer Lighting Science Group, a global leader in its business, plans to enter the Indian market by September with an eye to grab 20% share of the market over three years. The company is in advanced talks with three to four domestic LED manufacturers to float an Indian joint venture (JV), industry sources said. Lighting Science Group will hold a majority stake in the joint venture to be named Lighting Science India. The company plans leveraging existing retail network and manufacturing lines of its Indian partner.

Automakers going bug-eyed over LEDs

Those twinkling lights on the fronts of luxury cars are starting to find their way into the mainstream. High-end brands, led by Audi a few years ago, were first to distinguish the look of their cars with strings of small light-emitting-diodes — LEDs — next to the headlights. As costs for the lights are coming down, they are showing up on moderately priced and even entry-level new models. Several more showed up among vehicles displayed at the recent New York auto show.

The LED Promise Land : A Connexion Market Perspective

Compact fluorescent lamps are a temporary but still viable alternative to energy-efficient lighting. Think of CFLs as the bridge that connects our older, less efficient lamp technology to the LED promise land. Increasingly more lamp manufacturers are devoting larger shares of their R&D resources towards developing the LED promise land and less so within that CFL bridge. The lighting industry is clearly banking on LEDs as the final replacements for incandescents.
The reason LEDs have not yet displaced CFLs from the market are twofold: the first generation LED bulbs had a narrow and focused light beam, and the cost of LED technology is still too high. With this said, both CFL and LED technology are viable options today when looking for a replacement for incandescent lamps.
We can't stress enough that this lamp technology market is no different than any other emerging market. There are numerous profiteers in the market spewing forth their too-good-to-be-true claims and misinformation for the sake of the quick sale before the dust settles and the facts surface. The old axiom, 'if it sounds too good to be true it probably is', certainly applies here. The U.S. market is flooded with cheap LED products manufactured overseas with inferior components that produce low light levels, that can't possibly live up to their exaggerated energy saving and long life claims. Unfortunately, these cheap imports are being sold on well known web sites and through big box retailers.
Also worth noting are the many so-called 'manufacturers'  who are in fact resellers and simply repackaging the same inferior products offered through the import channel. And to further add to this confusion, are the more reputable manufacturers that offer a lesser grade LED lamp expressly for the consumer market and a higher grade for the commercial market. As you probably guessed, the commercial grade products come at a higher price point and perform significantly better - but are easily confused with the lower priced consumer grade products. If you're making your decision solely on price, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. The keys here are Lumens and Lumens per Watt Efficacy. This is where the Lighting Facts label comes into play. The Department of Energy (DOE) is an advocate for quality and has established the Lighting Facts program to ensure that the LED products you find on the market meet your expectations for performance. These products include LEDs for everyday lighting purposes, such as table lamps and outdoor light fixtures. They do not include flashlights, nightlights, or holiday lighting.
Participating manufacturers voluntarily pledge to report their products' performance results. Those results appear on the Lighting Facts label, which those manufacturers must include on product packaging or in the product literature. Retailers and other industry buyers can then make informed purchasing decisions for their lighting inventory.

Antec Launches LEDs to Reduce Eyestrain

How do your eyes feel at the end of the day after you’ve been staring at the computer for hours? Burned, right? Well, to minimize the eye fatigue caused by long hours in front of a computer, Antec has launched a series of LEDs to be installed at the back part of your monitor that help reduce eyestrain caused by differences in picture brightness from scene changes.