Shining some light on LEDs

Energy-efficient lighting has been thrust under the microscope in recent years — and not because they've become a consumer darling. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) have both been criticized (and rightly so) for their high cost and shorter-than advertised lifespan. And CFLs have borne the heaviest brunt thanks to their below-average light quality and, of course, mercury. As quickly as they came onto the energy-friendly scene, CFLs seem to be exiting stage left as the consumer's favored alternative to the incandescent light bulb. That mantle may be getting passed to LEDs, and these may be the real deals.

Wooden LED Light Bulb Achieves a Creative Blend of Traditional Craft Technique and Modern Design

Designed by artist Ryosuke Fukusada, the wooden light bulb that hangs from the ceiling as an art piece achieves the mix of traditional craft technique and modern design perfectly. The wooden shells of these light bulbs have been created using the Japanese ‘Rokuro’ technique that gives an impression of solid wood radiating light. A recyclable aluminum socket completes the modern impression that the wooden bulbs create. Winner of the Kyoto renaissance design competition, this project that involves creating a wooden shell chipped to minimum thickness to enclose the LED device is still under development.
According to Fukusada, this bulb was created by incorporating Rokuro, the Japanese artisanal technique to design an extremely thin wooden shell that produces a soft glowing effect. Besides the sustainable approach of using wood and an LED to create this modern bulb that has plenty of aesthetic appeal, this bulb represents an attempt to preserve cultural heritage and reminds man of his timeless link to nature, his true roots. A lighting expert at BulbAmerica.com says, “One of the most intriguing aspects of the wooden bulbs project is that this bulb, an actual light source that looks like it was simply carved from a solid block of wood actually works without it going up in flames” adding that “Because LED's produce little heat, the risk of fire is minimal.” Most traditional light bulbs that are powered with tungsten not only generate a lot of heat but they are also not as energy efficient as LEDs. This modern bulb deliver a lot more than efficiency and aesthetics and the symbolism behind the design is the main element that gives it its appeal.

New LED Medical Exam Light Uses 50 Percent Less Energy and Increases Visibility

DRE Medical Equipment recently introduced a new LED version of its popular DRE Vista Exam Light. The leap in technology and efficiency means DRE Vista LED Exam Light provides the best color temperature and the lowest heat output in its class.
The DRE Vista LED diagnostic light is compact, maneuverable, and gives a large flood pattern. It is available in a variety of configurations: Dual Ceiling mount, Single Wall mount, Single Ceiling mount, and a Portable system.
The Vista LED exam light features a 28” (71 cm) articulating arm with integral compression spring and a 23” (58 cm) Extension Arm. The arm rotates 40 degrees up and down from horizontal plane, and the lamphead and arm both rotate 540 degrees. The light includes 5-Stage Dimming and On/Off Switch and can be controlled from the Sterilizable Handle.
LED lights are a green, environmentally friendly option that consume about 50 percent less energy than similar halogen lighting, and last many times longer. LED lights have a life span of 50,000 hours, compared to halogen lights (which last between 1000 and 2000 hours) and gas discharge bulbs (which can last about 5000 hours).
The light emitted from an LED light is whiter than that of a halogen bulb. Halogen lighting is naturally yellow and will require numerous coatings and filters to achieve a similar effect.
The greatest source of heat in the operating room has typically been the beam of the surgical light, but LED lights virtually eliminate this problem. The heat comes from IR light, which can’t be seen by humans. LEDs can be designed to emit only light in the visible spectrum.
LED lights also give a large flood pattern with improved shadow control. A halogen system typically consists of a single bulb and a multifaceted reflector, and each facet is a different shape and distance from the bulb. This creates hot and cold spots within the light pattern. LED lights are designed to precisely overlap, so no matter how many LEDs you block, the spot remains round and consistent. This consistency means surgeons are not distracted by shadows moving across the pattern.

Park Outdoor Breaks Into Digital Market With Daktronics

Park Outdoor, an outdoor advertising company, recently partnered with Daktronics, Inc., an LED display manufacturer, to install their first digital display in Utica, N.Y. The fully-operational outdoor LED display was installed May 16.
Park Outdoor begins their foray into the digital out of home market with one of the most densely populated displays offered by Daktronics -- the 16MT. The display's pixels, spaced 16 millimeters apart, tightly arrange in a matrix layout. This layout uses clusters of three LEDs to create each pixel, making it possible to fit the most LEDs per square foot.
Jack Maurer, sales manager for the Utica division, says, "We want to capitalize on the flexibility that digital offers our clients. By installing this Daktronics digital display, we're staying on the cutting edge of outdoor advertising."
In addition to providing an affordable and flexible medium to their clients, Park Outdoor will use their new digital display to perform several public service functions by facilitating Amber Alerts, weather alerts and alerts from the local authorities.

Go Green LED Bulbs Offers a More Efficient Light for Corporations

Over the past few years, LED light bulbs have taken the lighting market by storm. Many people have already replaced their old light bulbs with light emitting diode technology in their residential applications. Now, there is a growing trend for businesses to make the switch to LED. Replacing existing bulbs with LED light bulbs is an easy way for businesses to go green and do their part in helping the environment. They use less energy than the traditional incandescent bulb, and convert that energy into light instead of heat, allowing them to shine brighter. According to the US Department of Energy, the switch to LEDs can help save up to 75-80% on your electric bill. Large companies should take this to heart and make the switch today. Go Green LED Bulbs, an LED light bulb company located in Round Lake Beach, IL, can help them do just that.
Go Green LED Bulbs now offers T8 LED Bulbs that are ideal for office buildings and other commercial entities. They are designed to retrofit existing incandescent or halogen T8 light bulb fixtures, lowering or wiping out any installation costs. These light bulbs emit less heat than your typical light bulb, which in turn additionally decreases energy costs due to the fact there is no need for cooling systems to operate. Now these bulbs can be installed in lighting applications throughout offices, restaurants, hotels, and more.
Not only does switching to these LED tube lights make a company look good in an altruistic sense, but they save the company a lot of money. The US Department of Energy calculates that LED's use only 20 - 25% of the energy compared to their incandescent counterparts. LED bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs upon initial purchase; however, LED's last 25 times longer, meaning 25 incandescent bulbs would need to be replaced in the lifespan of only one LED bulb. This then, would cost you a total of twice as much as the initial purpose of one LED bulb. Additionally, with the LED bulb lasting 25 times longer, it eliminates the maintenance cost and time required to replace the incandescent bulbs.

3600 Lumen Vehicle Mount LED Light

Larson Electronics’ Magnalight.com has announced the release of the PML-40W-PAR46 vehicle mount LED light designed to provide a rugged lighting solution for those seeking to improve the performance of exterior illumination on cars, trucks, and military vehicles. Producing 3,600 lumens and available in multiple colors as well as infrared configurations, these lights are ideal for military and law enforcement applications as well as installation on industrial heavy equipment.
The Magnalight PML-40W-PAR46 vehicle mount LED light offers operators in military, law enforcement and professional utility and industrial services a powerful low amp draw alternative to traditional incandescent equipment and vehicle lights. Equipped with Magnalight’s MILSPEC 461 certified PAR46 LED bulb, this permanent mount LED vehicle light produces more light than comparable halogen lamps while consuming far less power. This 40 watt LED light draws only 4 amps, yet produces over three times as much light as a comparable 50 watt halogen off road light.
This extreme efficiency means you can replace three halogen lights with one PML-40W-PAR46 and produce more light while cutting amp use and extending run times without draining the vehicles battery. This LED light is designed to operate with voltages ranging from 9 to 46 VDC, which allows users to connect it directly the any vehicle, heavy equipment, or military vehicle with a 12 or 24 volt electrical system. The LED lamp is housed within a rugged waterproof fixture to resist damage from the elements, and is fitted with an adjustable hinged mounting bracket. This light can be mounted with a single bolt or stud to bumpers, roll bars, turrets, and just about any surface you would normally mount auxiliary lighting. Once mounted, the user can adjust the lamp vertically and lock it into position for precise aiming and stable positioning even under aggressive driving conditions.

Philips solar-power LEDs enhances road safety in Manila’s Boni Tunnel

The Boni Tunnel in Mandaluyong is now brighter and more energy-efficient as result of  an innovative solar powered LED lighting system from Philips. The Boni Tunnel Efficient Lighting System marks the first time in the country that LEDs and solar panels have been integrated into one system that will enhance driver safety when using the 280-meter tunnel.
Mayor Abalos praised the lighting initiative, saying that the new solar LEDs are noticeably brighter than the previous lights. “I have seen the lights, and anyone who passes by, can experience the difference very clearly. Whether it’s daytime or nighttime, the tunnel is well-lit, from the entrance up to the end of the tunnel, making it much safer for motorists,” he remarks. The Boni Tunnel now adheres to national lighting standards for roadways and expressways with the new system. The mayor also emphasized the project’s impact on electricity cost savings compared to the costs of the previous lighting.

 

First Light Technologies launches WLB Series Solar LED Bollard

First Light Technologies announced the launch of its WLB Series Solar LED Bollard for low-level architectural, commercial way finding, and landscaping applications.
"With this offering we continue our commitment to bring simple, effective self-contained solar-powered lighting to the $13 billion outdoor and architectural lighting market," said Sean Bourquin, First Light Technologies Managing Director and Co-founder.
First Light Technologies designed the WLB Series Solar LED Bollard to meet the landscaping needs of a large commercial client, which has already purchased 300 units. Demanding design criteria required that the lights fit a high-end architectural aesthetic, be unobtrusive, and yet provide sufficient lighting.
The resulting design is virtually indestructible and features proprietary Energy Management System (EMS) technology to ensure reliability in any environment, regardless of low-solar weather patterns or unusual charging conditions.

Why are we cramming 21st century technology into a socket designed by Edison?

LED lights, mass produced as tiny individual diodes, can be configured into any shape you can imagine. In the future, they and their successors could cover large flat (or curved, or whatever) surfaces, mimicking the light that comes through windows and skylights. They can be used to create diffuse or concentrated illumination, in a radiant or beam configuration. Edison's bulb had to be roughly spherical in order to contain a vacuum while withstanding atmospheric pressure. And people were used to gas lamps, whose fixtures can be repurposed for electric lights. Because of this, a hundred years later, we have to cram LEDs into something that requires space-age fins to keep it from overheating?

Tiny Zenigata LEDs radiate up to 1550 lumens

Sharp's new nitride LED modules from the new "Mini Zenigata" series offer an efficiency of up to 99 lm/W, a luminous flux of up to a typical 1550 lm and are available with a CRI value of up to 82. Sharp's new Mini Zenigata arrays of type GW5BxxxK05 provide a luminous flux between 1150 and typical 1550 lm with a light output of up to 99 lm/W in standard operation.
 

Single Pulse LED Measurement System for LED Binning

Slight differences in LED characteristics can occur as a result of mass production. Sorting the LEDs into bin classes based on luminous flux and color properties provides a means of cataloging them.
The LED manufacturer may do the binning or the party implementing the LEDs may self-bin them. For higher efficiency processing the LED is normally operated and measured in single pulse mode at a few millisecond long pulse width at a specified operating current.
Gigahertz-Optik has developed a cost effective measurement system consisting of the BTS256-LED tester and LPS-20-1500 LED power supply with S-BTS256 software to assist with single pulse LED binning.
Both meter, power supply and control software work in tandem to drive and measure the test LED in single pulse mode and record the results.
The BTS256-LED Tester is a compact measurement device designed for high accuracy measurement of luminous flux, spectral and color data of single assembled and unassembled LEDs in the visible spectrum.
The BTS256’s bi-technology light sensor offers a fine photometric response photodiode for accurate wide dynamic range flux detection. Along with the integral detector a compact low stray light spectrometer is installed for spectral color measurements.
The Bi-Tec sensor photodiode operates in fast data logger mode with 1ms sampling rate which can be used for pulse form profiling measurements. The BTS256-LED is powered through its USB adapter when connected to PC.
The LPS-20-1500 is a microprocessor-based current and voltage source especially designed for the operation of LEDs and other semiconductor light sources requiring low noise.
The LPS20-1500 operates up to 1500 mA with 30μA resolution and up to 24V with 0.5 mV resolution. It is set-up for full remote control operation in CW or single pulse operation mode.
Either current or voltage can be measured with high 16-bit ADC resolution. Its I/O interface supports trigger-in and trigger-out operation in flash mode.

LEDs Mean Endless Rainbow for Empire St. Building

The Empire State Building will replace its tower lights with a computer-driven LED system that allows for nearly endless color combinations. The iconic skyscraper's owner is partnering with Massachusetts-based Philips Color Kinetics to install the new light fixtures. The top of the building is bathed in an ever-changing array of colors in honor of holidays and community organizations and for numerous other occasions.

New Pinnacle in Brightness for Ultrafast Line Scan Applications in Machine Vision

Innovations in Optics, Inc. introduces the Aurora LED Line Source Illuminators offering unprecedented brightness. The versatile and powerful solid-state light sources are ideal for machine vision, especially high speed line scan systems. High brightness and uniform illumination enables ultrafast image acquisition to boost process rates and enhance image resolution in machine vision.
Featuring substantial cost and operational advantages, LEDs are currently preferred for virtually all machine vision applications. Aurora Line Sources use non-imaging optics and high brightness LED arrays. In recognition of its most advanced design, Innovations in Optics, Inc, was recently issued U.S. Patent 8,152,347. Using passive cooling only, the white LED Aurora Line Source produces 2,500,000 lux illuminance which outshines many commercial LED line source products that require water-cooling. With air-cooling, white LED Aurora Line Sources will produce brightness greater than 7,500,000 lux, a value eight times brighter than air-cooled systems from other suppliers.
Aurora Line Sources are available using white LEDs and can also be supplied using narrow band LEDs in center wavelengths ranging from the UV through the NIR, and in different models that vary in length from 4 to 24 inches. The Line Source is configurable to emit either a finite or infinite light beam in support of user preferred working distances. Aurora LED Line Source Illuminators offer intense and stable optical power, short warm-up time, energy efficiency, low maintenance and long rated life. They support both continuous output and pulsed operation. Illuminator accessories available from Innovations in Optics, Inc. include thermal management devices, wire harnesses, and driver/controllers.
Innovations in Optics, Inc. (IOI), founded in 1993 and located near Boston, is widely recognized as a leading innovator in the areas of high brightness LED chip-on-board (COB) products and illumination engineering and technology. Leveraging a unique, multidisciplinary approach to systems design, the company pushes the technology envelope to develop industry-leading ultra-high brightness LED products. IOI light engines and illumination systems feature patented and patent-pending optics which collect, direct and maximize output efficiency and uniformity, enabling some of today's most revolutionary solutions in cutting-edge technical applications for LED light sources.

LED Grow Lights Make Growing Marijuana Easy... or Do They?

For patients who need medical marijuana, the progress of LED grow lights has been closely watched. LEDs (short for light emitting diodes) were first invented in 1927. More efficient than nearly any other type of artificial light, these diodes were too weak to ever be a contender for growing plants until recently. But continuing research has resulted in LED lights that are stronger than ever before. Within the last few years, many LED grow light systems have sprung up on the market for indoor gardeners. Some claim that LED grow light technology may finally put the cultivation of a few marijuana plants within reach of anybody who has a few extra bucks and a spare closet.

LED lights seek to uncrown 100-watt bulb

General Electric introduced a 100-watt equivalent LED bulb which is the clearest example yet of how high-tech lighting has become. The company's Energy Smart LED bulb consumes 27 watts to give off the same amount of light as a 100-watt incandescent lamp. It will be released in the first half of next year. The price has not yet been set. GE's announcement, made at the Light Fair industry conference in Las Vegas, shows how lighting manufacturers have finally cracked one of the toughest challenges in LED lighting -- making lamps able to give off a lot of light in all directions. Philips today also introduced its 100-watt equivalent, as did Sylvania; both products are extensions of existing product lines and are due this summer.

Intematix ChromaLit Contour for LED light bulbs

Cree Technology Center Achieves NVLAP Accreditation

LED lighting leader Cree announces the addition of TEMPO 24 to its comprehensive suite of Cree Services for LED luminaires. The new TEMPO (Thermal Electrical Mechanical Photometric Optical) 24 service combines IES LM-79-08 photometric testing with an extensive set of LED performance tests that surpasses all industry testing parameters and can help ensure total system design and quality. The Cree Durham Technology Center has been accredited by The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) and furthers Cree's commitment to helping LED manufacturers overcome design challenges and bring quality products to market faster.
TEMPO 24 provides LED luminaire tests that are not offered by any other third-party testing facility. In addition to LM-79 testing which is an approved method for taking electrical and photometric measurements, TEMPO 24 testing includes binning and color point evaluation, chemical compatibility and TM-21 lifetime projection. TEMPO 24 examines all aspects of an LED design and provides customers a true assessment of luminaire performance that can be used to promote and distinguish their product. Every TEMPO service delivers an accurate, easy-to-understand TEMPO report that includes all testing results and relevant performance data.
Cree's Durham Technology Center NVLAP accreditation (NVLAP lab code 500070-0) ensures that TEMPO measurements are performed according to the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) approved method for the electrical and photometric measurements of LED lighting -- delivering lighting manufacturers consistent, accurate and repeatable measurements for luminaires. NVLAP accreditation signifies that a laboratory has demonstrated it operates in accordance with NVLAP management and technical requirements pertaining to quality systems, personnel, accommodation and environment, test and calibration methods, equipment, measurement tractability, sampling, handling of tests and calibration items, and test and calibration reports. Cree laboratories also work to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requirements.

LED provide environmental protection and energy savings

At this year's SEMICOM Singapore, SEMI held the LED forum to bring together the pioneers from the industry and academia fields to discuss the state-of-the-art LED lighting technologies as well as explore business opportunities with a future outlook. This forum was held on 24^thApril, at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Achieving lighting efficiency is an important issue because artificial lighting consumes about 19% of total energy generation around the globe. LEDs are already approximately five times more efficient than a standard incandescent light bulb. There is a large room for improvement in terms of energy utilization of lighting for potential emission reduction.

Philips unveils poleless street lighting system

A group of people including city planners and architects recently put a challenge to Dutch electronics company Philips: design an outdoor lighting system that helps to declutter our streets. The result was FreeStreet, a street lighting system that does away with vertical streetlight poles in favor of horizontally-strung cables that have clusters of LED lights built into them.