Garden Light LED Expands Micro Max Series with New Beam Variations

Garden Light LED announces their Micro Series fixtures designed to project powerful light from a small source in areas like stairs and steps, discrete overhangs, handrails, trees, potted plants, water features, and garden landscapes. Available in five different beam patterns, the Micro Series fixtures are miniature, measuring only 1.3 inches (w) x 1.5 inches (l) x 0.5 inches (h) - smaller than a matchbook.

The Owl projects a long, oblong beam pattern, while the Tiger Eye produces a rectangular beam, the Ram provides a V-shaped beam, and the Rock projects its beam forward and down. The original Micro Max provides a standard flood output.

Signify to close Tupelo manufacturing plant

Signify – still known by many locally as Day-Brite – will shutter its lighting manufacturing facility on Green Street by December, eliminating approximately 135 local jobs.

The company said all manufacturing positions in Tupelo will be eliminated. Job cuts are expected to begin in April and be completed by December.

The announcement marks the end of a long and storied presence in Northeast Mississippi. What was then known simply as Day-Brite was the first major manufacturing facility to locate in Tupelo after World War II, opening in 1947.

TechnoDigm Introduces the Ultimate UV LED Light for Rapid Curing System

TechnoDigm Innovation Pte Ltd has announced that it has introduced a remarkable new high-powered LED Light for Rapid Curing System called UVLSPOT.

“UVLSPOT uses LEDs to deliver the reliable performance of a UV lamp system, and it effectively boosts productivity, as well as cost-saving in the long run as LEDs can last more than 15K hours,” said Mr. Lee, the Chief Engineer at TechnoDigm, while talking about the features of UVLSPOT. “UVLSPOT is specially designed to resolve the usual LED spot system issue in the market like inaccurate focus, unable to obtain maximum intensity on the surface of interests, etc.,” he added.

Some of the key features of UVLSPOT include its regulated and uniform light over the spot size, and its high intensity of up to 1700mw/cm2. LEDs are built into the main housing with optical lenses to focus the UV into a light wand. This high intensity can be focused uniformly over the dot size, and it uses reliable and precise strong LED light. Moreover, it features long-lasting LED life and no critical focusing point as well as no restriction on focal distance.

In addition, this remarkable new industrial UV solution can be used with multi-poles lightguide with fast exposure without a mechanical shuttle. Furthermore, 365nm, 405nm, and 420nm systems are available with an input voltage of 100-240VAC, and the entire curing apparatus weighs 6.8 kilograms.

Red Sun Farms branded peppers grown with LED lights

Allegro Acres, located in Kingsville Ontario, has  harvested the first greenhouse crop of winter-produced peppers using LED lighting technology in Canada.

The results of this strategic partnership, in collaboration with the Harrow Research Center of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and with the support of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), attest to the benefits of our unique smart lighting solution and its application on a large scale.  

Red, yellow and orange commercial grade peppers were seeded in October and harvested in December, then shipped to grocery stores. 90% of the peppers from this first harvest were extra-large. For Gene Ingratta, President of Allegro Acres,

At a time when awareness of sustainable agricultural practices is on the rise, Leah Lawrence, SDTC President and CEO noted that: “The results of this initiative are an excellent example of cleantech innovation and its application in sustainable agricultural practices and the creation of local and ethical economies. SDTC is proud to invest in a company like Sollum, using innovative technologies to advance local food sustainability."

Ambient lighting market for automotive, by value, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2020 to 2025

The ambient lighting market for automotive, by value, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2020 to 2025. It is projected to reach USD 4.9 billion by 2025 from an estimated USD 3.0 billion in 2020.

The key factors driving the market growth include increasing penetration of ambient lighting in low to mid-segment vehicles, inclination toward luxury, and increasing vehicle production.

The improving economic condition of developing regions such as Asia Oceania has boosted the market for premium vehicles, which are equipped with ambient lighting.

Asia Oceania is estimated to see the fastest growth of the ambient lighting market for automotive, in terms of value. This growth is primarily driven by increasing vehicle production and increasing penetration of luxury cars in the region.

Former Cree lighting facility in Durham being closed

Ideal Industries, which purchased Cree’s industrial lighting business in 2019, is closing a former Cree facility in Durham and laying off workers there.

According to a layoff notice filed with the state of North Carolina, Ideal said the closure is permanent. A total of 44 workers will be affected.

The facility at 4401 Silicon Drive in Durham will be closed as of March 26.

Lettuce farm in Poland goes all LED

Lettuce grower Pawel Karpinski installed LED fixtures from Hyperion Grow Lights 3.75m (12.3 ft) above the hydroponically-grown crop at the latest extension to his lettuce greenhouse in Zuromin, Poland, which opened in September.

The new 6200m2 space (about 68,000 ft2) marked the second expansion of the lettuce facility since the first one opened in 2017 at the Karpinski-owned farm, called Gospodarstwo Ogrodnicze Karpińscy.

Historic Memphis space gets LED luminaires

Memphis architectural design firm LRK worked with A-Light luminaires to enhance the natural light coming into the new Orion Federal Credit Union headquarters in a historic building that incorporates the original industrial-looking concrete and exposed ductwork alongside modern aesthetics and layered lighting.

Orion Federal Credit Union moved its headquarters into what once was the home of a famous bread baker and rehabilitated the natural concrete surfaces.

The building featured large industrial windows that would deliver plenty of natural light.

Six days to vote for Goleta LED lights

There are only a few days left to participate in the City of Goleta’s LED street lighting pilot study.  

The deadline for residents to submit their favorite LED street light is Jan. 29, and based on the city’s feedback, it’s a close race between two of the four options.

To participate, residents can visit the Cannon Green Drive neighborhood in western Goleta and check out the four types of LED street lights on display along Davenport Road, Freeman Place and Elmhurst Place. The lights come on around sunset.

The winning LED light will be used to replace more than 1,300 high-pressure sodium fixtures. The new lights will save Goleta money, require less maintenance, provide clearer lighting and be better for the environment.

Tel Aviv research: 99.9% of COVID-19 virus dead in 30 seconds with UV LEDs

Researchers from Tel Aviv University have proven that the novel coronavirus can be killed efficiently, quickly and cheaply using ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) at specific frequencies.

She said that the UV-LED bulbs require less than half a minute to destroy more than 99.9% of the coronaviruses.

The study, published earlier this month in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology,  is the first of its kind in the world.

The lamps you're not allowed to have. Exploring the Dubai lamps

Southfield’s Clarience Acquires Siren, Emergency Lighting Developer

Southfield-based Clarience Technologies has acquired ECCO Safety Group in Idaho, a global company in audible warning equipment and emergency lighting for commercial and emergency vehicles.

ECCO has nearly 50 years of operating experience and researches, designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes audible warning equipment and emergency lighting. It holds more than 200 patents and has seven offices globally, including in St. Louis, England, China, Germany, France, and Australia.

Clarience is a family of brands focused on bringing visibility to commercial and recreational transportation.

Vortex Safety Lighting announces a strategic alliance with Ushio America

Ushio has agreed to supply Vortex Safety Lighting with its CARE222 UV disinfection module for use in occupied spaces to eradicate coronaviruses, bacteria and influenza from the air and surfaces.

The patented, filtered excimer lamp generates 222nm, far UVC light. The UV experts at Vortex Safety Lighting are vertically integrated to design, engineer and install turnkey systems. Call 847-850-0585 or visit us at www.vortexsafetylighting.com to learn how to add a layer of protection for your employees and customers.

Vortex Safety Lighting plans to incorporate these lamps into a range of products, including ceiling mounted fixtures with built-in UVC/HEPA filters. Many of Vortex Safety Lighting’s disinfection products are configurable and ideal for OEM fixtures, to fit nearly any application.

Results from 7 years of laboratory testing and studies suggest that the filtered far UVC light produced from the CARE222 module can reduce pathogens on surfaces in occupied spaces, without posing a health risk to human eyes or skin when used within specifications. In contrast, the more generally used 254nm UV wavelength germicidal lamps can cause acute and chronic damage to skin and eyes when used in occupied spaces.

FoxFury launches its D100 lighting system for Autel’s EVO 2

FoxFury and Autel Robotics have once again worked together to produce the D100 lighting system for its EVO 2 series of drones. The new light system uses Osram LEDs and turns the EVO 2 into the perfect search and rescue drone.

The new D100 consists of four smaller LED modules arranged in a square to give 2300 lumens at an angle of 60 degrees from an altitude of about 200 feet and was announced at CES 2021.

The lighting system has a run-time of 70 minutes and attaches to the EVO 2 with a special mount called the EXOLANDER. 

Autel originally partnered with FoxFury to produce a lighting solution for the original Evo drone and was so happy with the product that it has chosen to work with the company again.

It then released the D3060 and D10 lighting solutions. The D3060 is a 360-degree light that can be used at 30 and 60 degrees to provide lighting in all directions. The light uses a USB-C connector to charge its LiPo battery, which can last up to three hours and can reach a maximum brightness of 200 lumens.

The D10 is a multi-function utility light with a 30-degree LED that operates in continuous or strobe light modes. It also comes in an IR version. The light uses a USB-C connector to charge its LiPo battery, which can last up to three hours and can reach a maximum brightness of 200 lumens.

Studio flash lighting versus LED lights: Which is better?

Project to support development of UVC LEDs for COVID-19 disinfection

Asahi Kasei (Tokyo, Japan) and Crystal IS (Green Island, NY) have received the second round of funding for their UV Accelerator initiative to support the development of new disinfection products that use UVC LEDs.

Following the successful funding of two companies in the first round, this endeavor again strives to team up with innovative companies that have exciting ideas for new applications of UVC LEDs in a post COVID-19 world by providing investments of up to $250,000 per company.

Led by Dr. Steven Berger, Managing Director at Asahi Kasei America and former CEO of Crystal IS, the UV Accelerator has been established as a proactive measure for developing solutions that can be used to stop the spread of deadly viruses and bacteria and help provide information to further contribute to the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

Elastic diamond could be used to make LEDs and lasers

Normally brittle diamond has been stretched by almost 10% by an international team of scientists in China. Modelling done by the team suggests that this stretching significantly alters the electronic properties of the material, which could lead to new applications for diamond such as LEDs and variable-colour lasers.

In their new research, scientists used advanced fabrication processes to produce micron-scale, T-shaped samples of single-crystal diamond, which they stretched using a custom-made mechanical gripper. They measured different Young’s moduli along different crystallographic axes, achieving a maximum strain of 9.7% before the diamond fractured.

Xicato extends SSL-engine lumen and color warranty

Xicato has announced a new warranty program for three of its LED light engine product lines that will stretch coverage of lumen and color maintenance to ten years.

The quality-of-light specialist has stayed true to its legacy relying on remote- or cold-phosphor technology for its solid-state lighting (SSL) building blocks. Moreover, the new warranty also applies to Xicato’s modules that integrate connectivity and smart-lighting capabilities.

The new ten-year warranty applies to the XCA, XTM, and XIM series.

Philips Hue's new wall switch module fixes old problem

Signify has just announced two new Philips Hue smart lighting products, plus two tweaks to existing products.

The new Amarant linear spotlight can brighten walls outdoors for a bit of contrast, but far more interesting is the Philips Hue wall switch module, which fixes one of the longest-standing issues with smart lighting: A smart light in a dumb switched receptacle.

Though the new Philips Hue wall switch module won't make dumb lights into smart lights, it will make your switch into a smart control itself, which can trigger scenes remotely, and which remote commands can revert.

Razer’s futuristic mask with voice projection and RGB lighting

 

Replacement microscope LED Light uses a few tricks

Mad scientist smellsofbikes decided to build a LED Microscope Light after picking up a faulty stereo microscope from eBay.

The LED is driven by a constant current buck regulator, powered by the original 17 volt transformer. A bridge rectifier and several filter capacitors result in a low ripple DC supply, for which he used the KiCad spice functionality to work out the values.

Even at 150 mA drive current, the LED lamp is mighty bright, and the over-kill driver will make sure he doesn’t have to worry about a burnt out lamp any time soon.

Innovation Award for RFID Temperature Scanning System

Powercast, a leader in RF wireless power, has Powercast has received an innovation award for its newly launched wirelessly-powered RFID Temperature Scanning System, which enables businesses to easily and safely monitor employees' temperatures in support of COVID-19 monitoring protocols.
 
The Temperature Scanning System is comprised of a wirelessly-powered temperature-scanning fob for each employee, an RFID reader, and a TV monitor. Employees receive a fob small enough to fit onto their keychain that is personalized to them.

The fob quickly charges when held near an RFID reader at the entrance to the business using Powercast's patented power harvesting technology. Employees scan their own forehead using the fob to read their temperature, and are permitted to enter or are denied entry based on the reading, which automatically appears on the monitor.

CES 2021 sees debut of PlayNitride's PixeLED MicroLED display technology

PixeLED display is a new MicroLED display technology developed by PlayNitride. In addition to traditional display applications, PixeLED display may be used for innovative display applications that put it at the cutting edge of display technology worldwide.

As its name implies, MicroLED is an ultra-small (less than <100μm) LED chip. MicroLED displays use these ultra-small LED chips in a matrix on a backplane with a driving circuit. The pixel sizes of MicroLED displays typically range from several dozen to less than a hundred microns.

MicroLED also has the advantages of traditional LEDs, including high brightness, low power consumption, fast response time, wide color gamut, and great reliability. MicroLED chips may be driven independently. Therefore, all sub-pixels are addressable, and we can control the full screen to display images and videos.

MicroLED may be used in innovative applications, and is considered the ultimate display technology.

All kinds of automotive MicroLED display applications, high transparency borderless MicroLED display, and ultra-high brightness wearable MicroLED displays are possible. MicroLED may also be used in traditional display applications.

Lutron adds an outdoor plug to its smart lighting lineup

Lutron Electronics, a manufacturer of lighting and shading controls, is announcing the addition of the Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug.

The outdoor smart plug is IP-65 rated, with best-in-class, solid core construction to protect the device’s inner electronics against the finest dust and heaviest rainfall. The outdoor smart plug is built to last and can withstand severe weather season after season.

The new Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug gives homeowners convenient control of their exterior lights via the free Lutron app. For example, a homeowner can set their patio string lights to come on 15 minutes before sunset, adding a touch of magic to the perfect summer evening with family or friends.

The Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug will be available late March online at major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as at electrical and A/V distributors. The suggested retail price is $79.95.

Southwestern University’s Robertson Center Receives LED Lighting Upgrades

Southwestern University partnered with MHSC Energy Management to replace all lights in the Robertson Center’s indoor track, outdoor canopy, and Robertson Gymnasium with LEDs beginning in December 2020. A Sustainable Advancements Funding Endeavor Grant (SAFE) will fund $25,560 of the project’s total cost of $41,290. These upgrades will augment the energy reductions already generated by earlier LED replacements in Heather Hall, The Cove, and the Walzel Court.

Previously featured in The Princeton Review’s Guide to 353 Green Colleges and ranked #1 for renewable energy use among U.S. colleges in 2019, SU’s commitment to energy conservation and sustainability is longstanding: the university made a formal commitment to sustainable practices in 2007 by signing the Talloires Declaration, and the campus is home to two LEED-certified buildings. In addition to reducing environmental impacts, the LED upgrades will reduce maintenance costs and be much more user-friendly on a day-to-day basis.

“I believe these lights will have a bigger impact on our campus than simply enhancing our sustainability efforts.  These LED lights will remove the constant buzzing noise produced by our current lighting configuration. Additionally, because the new lights do not need the warm-up and downtime required by the old lights, we will immediately gain greater flexibility to utilize the gym in new ways for all the students at Southwestern,” explains Glenn Schwab, SU’s director of intercollegiate athletics.

The LED enhancements will allow the Robertson Center to better serve all members of the SU community as a hub of campus activities ranging from sporting events to commencement, and the 126,052 kilowatt-hours saved each year will reduce energy use by 73% and annual expenses by $12,920, resulting in an approximately three-year payback period. These energy savings help solidify SU’s position as a leader among the nation’s “green” colleges and further encourage students, faculty, and staff to continue to devise new sustainability initiatives.

US Lighting Group Finishes 2020 on a Positive Note

U.S. Lighting Group, Inc. says it experienced a record-breaking year in sales, products manufactured, and products shipped in 2020.

The US Lighting Group will be profitable anticipating approximately $4 million in gross sales, an estimated $1.4 million or 50% increase over 2019.

To strengthen its production process, the company purchased a new Speed Print Technology 700 Series screen printer and high speed Europlacer iineo+ SMT Component Placement System, increasing the printed circuit board (PCB) output three-fold.

The US Lighting Group is a US designer and manufacturer of commercial LED lighting products, automotive and patented marine electronics, groundbreaking energy management products for the RV industry. The company plans to expand the company portfolio to manufacture recreational vehicles for the RV Market.

Researchers develop Phosphor-Free White LED

Commercial white LEDs use a phosphor conversion layer in combination with a blue LED to achieve white-light emission. However, the conversion process results in efficiency losses, and phosphor also degrades over time, which limits the lifetime of the bulb.

In a new study, researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, demonstrate a phosphor-free white LED that can be tuned from warm white to cool white emission (Appl. Phys. Lett., doi: 10.1063/5.0026017). While its efficiency remains limited and more work is still needed, the device represents a step toward the development of practical, phosphor-free white-light sources.

Kalispell upgrading downtown lights to LED

The US city of Kalispell (Montana) owns and maintains 454 decorative and streetlight luminaires throughout downtown, and staff is continuing to work on a project dating back to 2017 to make them more energy efficient.

The city is currently in the last phase of the project. In the final phase they are replacing a mixture of new heads, ballasts and bulbs, depending on the style of light, with LED lighting.

European Growers Turn to Horticulture LEDs

GE Current has announced a partnership with Aquila Capital to provide funding solutions for growers looking to install low-energy LED lighting.

The partnership will allow growers across Europe who are designing new indoor farming facilities — or upgrading existing installations to the latest lighting technology — to deploy Current’s range of Arize horticultural LED solutions, faster and with the aim of no up-front capital expenditure.

Projects financed through the new partnership have the potential to achieve CO2 savings of 30-40% vs existing installations, with repayment calculations based on a proportion of the future energy costs.

New LED Lighting Coming to NKY Highway

New LED lighting fixtures are set to be installed on Northern Kentucky interstates, River City News reports.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet - District 6 announced that the upgrade to the energy-saving fixtures would begin on Monday, January 11 and continue through mid-March.

It is part of a statewide plan to replace more than 18,000 lights with new LED.

Kentucky installing energy-saving lighting along roadways

Kentucky has launched a statewide project to replace thousands of roadway lighting fixtures with energy saving LED lights.

Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet said the upgrades will reduce energy consumption of roadway lighting systems by more than 50%.

More than 18,000 lighting fixtures will be replaced with energy efficient LED lights on some state-maintained roads.

Milton ad hoc committee makes lighting recommendations

A Milton (Delaware) ad hoc committee has come up with a proposal to install lights along the Rails to Trails extension between Federal Street and Lavinia Street.

From Federal Street to the trestle bridge, the committee recommends installing four lights, supplied by Delmarva Power, consisting of three GranVille-style, acorn-shaped lights, and one shoebox-style light.

The first light would be 80 feet from the trail entrance, with other lights placed 150 to 176 feet apart.

LG to unveil the company's first QNED Mini LED TV at CES 2021

LG Electronics (LG) will introduce its first-ever QNED Mini LED TVs at the all virtual CES 2021 as its top-of-the-line offering among LG’s 2021 premium LCD TV lineup.

The 2021 lineup includes 10 new 4K and 8K models covering a wide range of large screen sizes up to 86 inches.

As the first TVs to combine quantum dot and NanoCell in one product, LG QNED TVs produce incredibly accurate colors while the advanced LED backlight offers better contrast and deeper blacks for images of exceptional vibrancy and realism, LG writes.

Mini LED backlighting comprises up to almost 30,000 tiny LEDs that produce peak brightness and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 when paired with up to nearly 2,500 dimming zones and advanced local dimming technology.

LEDs-On-Chips Will Give Us Lower Cost Optoelectronics

A MIT team has demonstrated a CMOS device that integrates a practical silicon LED. It may not yet be ready for market but it already displays some interesting properties such as a very fast switching speed.

Perhaps more importantly, further integration of what have traditionally been discrete components would have a huge impact on reducing manufacturing costs.

The research was presented last month at the IEDM Conference in a talk entitled Low Voltage, High Brightness CMOS LEDs.

Georgia Power distributes 150,000 LED light bulbs across state

Georgia Power announced that a recent initiative yielded a distribution of 8,000 energy efficiency kits from the company’s Energy Efficiency Program to income-qualified customers across the state.

The company also announced a distribution of nearly 150,000 ENERGY STAR LEDs through partnering food bank facilities. The energy efficiency kits and LED bulbs will provide assistance through free energy efficiency upgrades designed to save customers money and make their homes more efficient.

Georgia Power’s Residential Specialty Lighting Program is also working with six Georgia-based food banks around the state to distribute more than 37,000 four-packs of ENERGY STAR® LEDs, program educational flyers and reusable grocery bags. The distribution of these 150,000 LED bulbs will help recipients save on their energy bill and usage, as LEDs use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last 15-25 times longer.

Food bank partners include: Atlanta Community Food Bank, Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Middle Georgia Community Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank.