ams Osram expands QD offer

ams Osram has announced a series of 2835 (2.8×3.5-mm) LEDs under the Osconiq brand including an emitter that uses quantum dot (QD) technology to more efficiently deliver excellent color rendering and warm CCTs.

The new series further includes an LED with a cyan peak intended for lighting for health and wellbeing or circadian lighting applications. An 80-CRI member of the family for commercial and industrial (C&I) lighting applications completes the new series.

he three LEDs in the Osconiq E 2835 series cover a breadth of potential deployments in the C&I and adjacent application spaces.

Meross Launches Modular Smart LED Floor Lamp With HomeKit Support

Meross added a height adaptable LED Floor Lamp to its smart home lineup offering Apple HomeKit support. Boasting a modular three-piece design, the slim black lamp can be adjusted to a height of 54.7 inches (139cm) for placement on a floor, or 22 inches (56cm) for desk use via the included base or clamp mount.

The 12-Watt lamp features a peak brightness of 650 lumens and is fully dimmable using the integrated touch panel on the lamp stem, the included remote, or via the mobile app.

UCISD replacing theater lights

The John H. Harrell Auditorium on the campus of Uvalde High School in Texas will soon shine bright with new theater lights, as the district’s board of trustees approved a $197,315 lighting upgrade package.

The replacement lighting will be LED lighting and will bring many more options for stage productions.

Texas Scenic Co., a theatrical stage equipment company based in San Antonio was chosen to procure and install the new lighting systems.

Orlando investing in safer lighting downtown

Orlando’s Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency is looking at some upgrades for lighting in the downtown core.

Improvements include removing existing light fixtures and installing brighter, more energy-efficient LED fixtures on the current acorn light poles in the Central Business District.

Improving the lighting in the downtown core was something that was identified as a priority in 2014’s Project DTO initiative meant to help guide Orlando’s growth over the next 10 years.

Infineon introduces ICL88xx Family Of Single-Stage Flyback Controllers

Infineon introduces the ICL8800, ICL8810 and ICL8820 single-stage flyback LED controllers for constant output voltages.

The new ICs meet the necessary performance requirements for LED lighting applications, such as LED drivers and luminaires up to 125 W, smart lighting, and emergency luminaire. Outside this market segment, adapters and chargers, flat TVs, all-in-one PCs and monitors up to 125 W profit from the ICL88xx family.
 
All three variants offer benchmarking performance for power factor correction and total harmonic distortion at full-load and low-load conditions, thus enabling platform design and window drivers.

ICL8800, ICL8810 and ICL8820 single-stage flyback LED controller variants are available in PG-DSO-8 packages and can be ordered now.

Penelec Completes Conversion of Erie Streetlights to Smart LED Technology

Penelec, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, has completed the conversion of more than 2,300 high-pressure sodium streetlights to smart LED streetlights in downtown Erie and along the Bayfront.

The new energy-efficient streetlights will yield energy savings and provide the foundation for technology to enhance public safety.

Penelec can monitor the smart streetlights through its network to determine if a light is burned out, remains illuminated during daylight hours or is not operating at its proper voltage. For regular streetlights, Penelec relies on residents and employees to report burned-out lamps or other problems.

Network controls also allow specific streetlights to be brightened outside bars and theaters to keep patrons safe late at night or dimmed for special events such as fireworks. City employees will have access to the controls and receive training on how to operate the lights.

ETRI Solves The Challenge In The Next-Generation Display Micro LED

A Korean research team has developed the world's first next-generation display technology that can simplify the process and reduce the incidental expenses considerably.

The new materials required for the new process were also developed for the first time in the world and is expected to support the Korean industry considerably in continuing its leadership in the next-generation display market.

The research team fabricated 12 micro LEDs in 1mm2, and more vivid color can be realized compared to the LCD3) or OLED4) display. It also has such high luminous efficiency that it can be utilized in various fields such as TV and Smart watch, etc.

To develop the product, micro LED produced through the semiconductor process must be transferred to the display panel.

Kohler Lighting Unveils New Forms That Span Early 20th Century Design

Four new collections from KOHLER Lighting add dimension and depth to the current product offering with designs that include chandeliers, sconces, ceiling mounts and pendants for residential and commercial applications.  

Exploring the artistic depths of 20th century design, the new collections – Hauksbee, Vorleigh, Parohn, and Arendela – present an engaging mix to speak to a wide range of tastes and lifestyles.

These new collections from KOHLER Lighting pay homage to one of the most celebrated periods within 20th century design, weaving in the romance and imaginative craft of the era while incorporating individual flair and creative touches for a look that is fresh and of the moment.

Complementing the forms is a distinctive range of finishes in a fashionable palette – many developed to perfectly color-match KOHLER and KALLISTA fixtures and faucets – with some selected specifically for bathroom applications.  Decorative elements employing a mix of mediums can also be found throughout the four collections offering consumers and designers with a breadth of lighting choices unique to the standard fare typically available in today's mainstream marketplace. 

Futuristic Perpetual Harvest Cannabis Facility Chooses Programmable Spectrum LED

Massachusetts cannabis company Green Care Collective has gathered a team of international cannabis experts to build the next evolution of cannabis cultivation; a perpetual harvest facility with all the latest advancements in horticultural science.

The futuristic facility has a perpetual harvest methodology so efficient it produces an entire extra harvest of meticulously crafted cannabis each year. The facility begins with in-house tissue culture propagation, and its streamlined work-flow moves plants to highly efficient mobile tables. An on-demand fertigation system artfully manages multiple different strains with twenty-four zones per room, giving precise and customized dosages of essential nutrients to produce flavorful and potent high-end cannabis. This high output, energy efficient facility is pushing forward the next wave of sustainable cultivation.

Another important feature in growing next level cannabis is the lighting, and experts at Green Care Collective have selected Revolution Micro's Avici 1150w LED for their cutting edge facility. The LED has a high light output and a fully programmable spectrum, which allows horticulturists to hone in on the specific phytochemical development they're cultivating for, boosting yield, increasing terpene development, and crafting new and exciting flavors and effects in their cannabis plants. Unlike most LEDs, the Avici 1150w is brighter than a traditional HPS, which has made the switch from Mercury filled light bulbs to eco-friendly LEDs not only an ethical option; but a profitable one.

COVID-19 has not stopped the development of Micro-LED displays

There is an emerging display type - Micro-LED display, which has the potential to become the next-generation mainstream, with its ability to be fabricated from tiny to huge sizes. The challenges and opportunities are discussed in the IDTechEx report "Micro-LED Displays 2021-2031: Technology, Commercialization, Opportunity, Market and Players".

From mobile phones, TVs, to cars and public screens, displays have become an important component in daily life to convey information.
The importance of displays becomes more significant during COVID-19, as the demand to have a display for remote communication is higher.

COVID-19 has not stopped the development of Micro-LED displays. With CES and Display Week, as well as a number of events being put online, we can see the progress and new launches of Micro-LED display prototypes and products are not affected much.

The increasing number of activities from display suppliers can be seen from the highly cumulated investment and the increasing number of patent filings, as well as the prototypes/products brought in by Micro-LED vendors, such as AUO, PlayNitride, RiTdisplay, Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Tianma, Konka, Glo, Plessey, JBD, X-Display, VueReal, CSOT, Sharp, Kyocera; the list can go on.

However, prototypes to prove technology/science readiness with lab/fab scale production are very different from mass manufactured commercial products. The latter requires zero defects for consumer products. Although the science has been proved, there are more engineering and manufacturing issues.

For instance, conventional LEDs can reach external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) to ~70%, while tiny Micro-LEDs less than 10 µm may struggle to reach 20%.

Red LEDs are especially challenging with low EQEs and brittle features. Tiny Micro-LEDs have a large surface area, which may lead to more defects during the fabrication process. Therefore, solving engineering/manufacturing challenges is important, including die size miniaturization while maintaining high efficiency, chip design, and chip manufacturing technique improvement. Other issues include mass transfer yield & accuracy, defect repair, testing, uniformity, light management, color conversion, etc.

Signify Announces Price Increase

Due to pressures felt throughout the global supply chain, including raw materials, commodities and logistics, Signify will implement price increases for a select portion of our professional lighting products, effective August 9, 2021.

LED Lamps will increase an average of 5%
Conventional Lamps will increase an average of 3%
LED Electronics will increase an average of 3%
Lamp Electronics will increase an average of 6%
Luminaire increases will vary based on product families

These increases will be applied to all orders placed on August 9, 2021 onwards or for future-dated shipments on orders placed between now and August 9, 2021.

LG InnoTek sells 114 Korean LED patents to Chinese firm

LG InnoTek has completed selling its 114 patents in South Korea related to LED technologies to Chinese company Suzhou LEKIN Semiconductor.

The deal follows that of LG InnoTek’s selling of its 1,968 patents in the US related to LED to the same Chinese company. In total, LG has handed over 1,977 US patents to LEKIN.

Out of the 114 patents that were recently handed over, around 100 patents are pending patents that are yet to be registered.

ZAGO Sustainable Sealing Screws Secure Sollum Technologies' Smart LED Lighting Fixture

ZAGO Manufacturing Co. has announced that it is providing ZAGO sustainable sealing screws for the Sollum Smart LED Lighting Solution by Sollum Technologies.

Sollum's smart LED lighting solution features the cloud-based SUN as a Service platform, which serves as a command center for its full suite of grower services, including access to an expanding library of light recipes, the ability to create custom light recipes, multi-zone crop management, and real-time and remote lighting control from the computer.

Fixtures and sensors aggregate and compile the data collected in the greenhouse for processing and analysis, providing each grower with the ability to adapt, modify, and customize their lighting for produce-specific lighting criteria. The technology uses that data to compensate between ambient and target light, which results in significant energy savings.

How does LED and OLED light affect sleep?

In a new study, researchers explored the effects that different types of light exposure during the evening have on a person’s metabolism during sleep.

The research, which appears in the journal Scientific Reports, offers further evidence for the negative effects that blue light exposure in the evening can have on an individual’s health.

However, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) produce less blue light than LEDs. OLED technology is becoming increasingly popular in the screens of the latest phones, computers, and televisions.

Because OLED produces less blue light than LED, it could be that the negative health effects associated with LED screen exposure are not as significant in OLED displays.

Fluorescence lighting helps detect impurities in water

Shining a beam of light into potentially contaminated water samples may hold the key to real-time detection of hydrocarbons and pesticides in water.

UBC Okanagan researchers are testing the use of fluorescence to monitor water quality. The results, they say, show great promise.

When a beam of light is shone into the water, it excites the electrons in molecules of certain compounds and causes them to emit light. The characteristics of the emitted light are like a fingerprint and can be used to identify certain contaminants, explains Nicolas Peleato, an assistant professor at UBCO's School of Engineering.

Water contaminated with hydrocarbons is known to be carcinogenic and can be dangerous, or toxic, to flora and fauna.

Tallapoosa River Bridge in Tallassee gets LED lighting

The massive Tallapoosa River Bridge in Tallassee, is a little brighter. The Alabama Department of Transportation recently replaced all the aging lights and the poles with new LED lighting.

ALDOT did one side to make sure there was constant lighting at night and then did the other side.

The Tallapoosa River runs from the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia southward and westward into Alabama. It is formed by the confluence of McClendon Creek and Mud Creek in Georgia.

Town Could Save $50,000 a Year With LED Streetlight Switch

East Hampton Town could convert all of its streetlights to LEDs before next Memorial Day weekend, realizing both energy and cost savings as well as improved visibility.

Streetlights in downtown Montauk were converted to LED a few years ago. Converting the other 729 will have great impact on the town's carbon footprint, said Lauren Steinberg, a senior environmental analyst.

The power authority is about halfway to the Smart Street Lighting NY program's goal of converting at least 500,000 streetlights to LED technology by 2025.

Wyze unveils single- and multi-color smart LED light strips

Wyze has finally made the leap into light strips, announcing a pair of single- and multi-color LED strips that work with both Alexa and Google Assistant.

The Light Strip comes in five- and 10-meter lengths (16.4 and 32.8 feet) and can shine in a single color (up to 16 million are supported).

The Wyze Light Strip Pro can display up to 16 different colors simultaneously, complete with advanced lighting effects.

Ams Osram Tech In Proof-of-concept Delivery Vehicle

ams-OSRAM announced that its latest project with the Swiss think tank Rinspeed is proof-of-concept delivery vehicle called Citysnap.

It showcases a high-resolution matrix LED technology for glare-free high beam, UV-C disinfection enabling better hygiene, how 3D sensing enables in-cabin sensing for occupancy monitoring and how exterior projected lighting can make a safer and smarter experience.

Lighting specialist partners with Vyv on antimicrobial LED technology

SaveMoneyCutCarbon, a UK-based lighting and energy specialist company, is partnering with Vyv to bring antimicrobial light technology to the UK.

Vyv has also recently signed an investment and licence agreement with Middleby Corp to allow the manufacturer conglomerate use the technology within its foodservice appliances.

The patented technology utilises light in the 405nm wavelength (outside the UV spectrum) that is said to have been proven through numerous studies to be effective against viruses, bacteria, mould, fungi, and yeast.

Areas where Vyv lighting can bring continuous antimicrobial protection include: restaurants, venues offices, hospitals, care homes, universities, colleges and schools.

North American Carmaker Picks Visteon’s MicroZone Tech As OLED Alternative

Visteon Corporation announced a new business win with a North America OEM for its microZone display technology.

The award is for a multi-display system that will be featured in multiple premium and performance vehicles expected to launch in 2024.

MicroZone technology is a first of its kind in the industry and is an innovative choice beyond organic light-emitting diode (OLED) for automotive applications. Visteon developed microZone to address the industry demand for a high-quality display that delivers a premium experience, while meeting stringent automotive-specific requirements.

Based on mature LCD technology, microZone is considered the first automotive display to achieve superior optical performance without sacrificing vehicle reliability, having passed rigorous automotive qualification requirements.

USI Introduces Polymer For Use In Portable UVC Sterilization Device

USI Corporation’s ViviOn is a new medical grade polymer, with high UVC transmission and UVC durability properties. For parts made with ViviOn (thickness 1mm), transmission can reach 79 – 88% in the wavelength range of 265 to 280nm. 

This is an attractive property for home appliance manufacturers, as ViviOn can be made into light covers, shielding and disposable devices. 

Currently there are commercial products such as the portable sterilization boxes from the companies Sandra and Moshi, and the stylus from the company Adonit with sterilization capability.
 
Over the recent years, USI Corporation made rigorous efforts to develop high value-added polymer materials, introducing a novel Cyclic Block Copolymers (CBC) - ViviOn in 2018, a medical and food contact grade polymer with high UVC transmission properties.

HGC Unveils Mini LED Backlight Series

HGC (Wuhan) Technology recently unveiled its latest Mini LED backlights. HGC’s POB solution of Mini LED backlights adopts the company’s patented Mini LED chip design and self-developed DCAM packaging technology, whereby packages with a size of 1.1 to 1.2 times the chip can be produced, enabling multiple dimming functions, high dynamic range imaging, and a million-to-one contrast ratio; a product made using such solution can achieve 85%–92% NTSC gamut with >1200 nits of brightness.

Additionally, HGC’s low OD ultra-thin product series—the company’s flagship Mini LED backlight display series in 2021—comprise various application solutions that have gained favor of major players in all fields, with products having been shipped in small batches.

Fluence Partners with BFG to Distribute Innovative LED Technology to U.S. Growers

Fluence by OSRAM announced its partnership with BFG Supply (BFG), a leading technology-enabled distributor to the green industry.
 
Fluence’s LED technology will join and augment BFG’s diverse portfolio of cultivation solutions. Fluence’s full product line will be available to BFG customers, providing hydro shops, garden supply centers and commercial growers throughout the country with highly efficient, broad-spectrum LED solutions for their indoor and greenhouse environments.

Fluence’s full product line will be available to BFG customers, providing hydro shops, garden supply centers and commercial growers throughout the country with highly efficient, broad-spectrum LED solutions for their indoor and greenhouse environments.

How an effort to combat light pollution with LEDS failed

A county in Washington State decided to replace all of its county-owned streetlights with LEDs, at least partially in an effort to combat light pollution. New research shows that they actually made the light pollution worse.

The retrofit process took place between 2018 and 2019, and Dr. Hung and her team took measurements both before the install and after all of the new lights were in place. The sky actually got brighter in the county after the LEDs were installed.

Despite actually making light pollution slightly worse, the LED retrofit can still be considered a success for its other two goals—decreasing energy consumption and cost. The LEDs are undeniably more energy-efficient than the high-pressure sodium lamps they replaced, and will last much longer, decreasing their overall cost to the county.

Taiwan Applied Crystal (TAC) has developed the heat-resistant phosphor

Laser headlights and laser projectors have been a trend in the use of high-end illumination over the past decade. Initially, white light was created by using blu-ray LD and Ce: YAG fluorescent ceramics (headlights) or by casting LD on a phosphor painted color-wheel plate (projector).

As the laser power rises, the heat generated by the conversion of electro-optical efficiency increases the temperature and deteriorates the quantum conversion efficiency of the fluorescent material, which is known as thermal quenching, resulting in light decay.

Taiwan Applied Crystal (TAC) says it has successfully developed the heat-resistant phosphor that is different from the conventional ones. Under operating temperatures higher than 200°C, its luminous intensity is up to 20% higher than that of conventional phosphors.

PC Desktop Case Has an LED Panel You Can Play Games On

Taiwanese vendor InWin has created a new desktop chassis that can run three simple games on its built-in LEDs.

The product expands upon InWin’s original 309 desktop case, which features a front panel with 144 ARGB LED lights that can be individually programmed to display a variety of custom lighting patterns.

NICHIA Introduces High-Power 1800K LED

NICHIA, inventor of the high-brightness blue and white LEDs, announces its 219F series of high-power LEDs, uniquely positioned as a true alternative to High Pressure Sodium lamps (hereinafter abbreviated as HPS). 

Global efforts to phase-out the use of HPS continue to be met with a resistance to using white LED replacements. Due to this lack of a viable and sustainable alternative, HPS have remained exempt from the list of banned products under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, meaning HPS remains ubiquitous.

 With the introduction of the 219F, NICHIA becomes the first LED manufacturer to provide that alternative. NVSW219F eradicates mercury but increases efficiency and lifetime, with a low (1800K) correlated color temperature output that works with HPS to retain the element of ‘nostalgic landscape’ lighting, making it a true alternative.
 
Existing LED solutions fail to meet the light profile demanded by applications currently serviced by HPS. This typically requires a light level with a low correlated color temperature (CCT) of 1800K to recreate the ‘nostalgic landscape’ effect typified by HPS. NICHIA has developed the 219F at 1800K/CRI 70 to address this, with technology that can meet the CCT and color rendering index (Ra) required for street lighting applications and lighting for parks and other outdoor areas.
 
The color rendering index (CRI) of the 219F is higher than HPS, increasing it from less than 5, by NICHIA measurement, to over 70, which enhances the natural colors of a city vs. the monotone rendering with HPS. The ability to generate a true color landscape delivers comfortable and bright lighting while retaining nostalgic and/or elegant atmosphere. This is also conducive to security applications as it helps to distinguish the color of clothes, cars and buildings under the street lighting.

LED Now Dominant Light Source in Automotive Lighting

 

Value demand for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) alone in automotive lighting will nearly triple from $1.4 billion in 2020 to $3.9 billion by 2024.

The latest report “Automotive Lighting: Who Can Challenge LED's Dominance?” from the Strategy Analytics Powertrain, Body, Safety & Chassis Service (PBCS) service, predicts that OEM requirements for styling and functionality will further increase demand for LED-based automotive lighting systems.

LED has seen further developments in efficiency and Tier 1 vendors have developed cost effective solutions for LED headlight modules. With the urgency to improve efficiency to support emissions and fuel economy mandates, the transition from halogen and xenon to LED has increased. But automakers are increasingly looking at styling with LED-based systems to win customers over their rivals. LED is also being used to raise functionality in lighting systems, particularly Digital Light Projection (DLP) and matrix LED headlights to form a precise Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) and increase the use of glare-free high beam illumination, as well as new welcome lighting and even projecting messages and virtual lane markings.

US LED, Ltd. Launches New LED Flat Panels with Selectable CCT and Wattage Options

US LED announces the launch of its L-Grid Edge Xtreme XL Select, a new generation of LED flat panels with selectable CCT and wattage options. More than just lights, they are engineered to bring superior visual comfort to retail stores and offices while accelerating installation. The ability to make adjustments in the field during installation helps to simplify lighting design for end-users while keeping inventory levels at a minimum for distributors and contractors.

L-Grid Edge Xtreme XL Select is available in 2x4, 2x2, and 1x4 models for easy one-to-one replacement of legacy fluorescent fixtures. Every model features a separate switch for selecting CCT (3500K, 4000K, 5000K) and wattages, with output up to 7,189 lumens. In addition to being DLC Premium Listed, these flat panels are NSF Certified for controlled environments like cleanroom manufacturing or food processing areas. For even more project flexibility, luminaire accessories like sensors, battery backups, and mounting kits are available. 

Key Product Features:

Wattage and CCT are selectable with a switch on the back of the luminaire.
Industry-leading LEDs create consistent CCT and excellent color rendering of Ra>80.
Engineered to provide uniform light distribution for any application while minimizing glare.
Designed for contractor-friendly installation in the field for both new construction and retrofit lighting projects.
NSF Certified for meeting the needs of controlled environments, including pharmaceutical processing, surgical suites, cleanroom manufacturing, and food processing.
Flat panels are surface mountable (with accessory) and are controls-ready.

TAPCO Launches New LegendViz Traffic Signs for Improved Nighttime Visibility

Traffic and Parking Control Company, manufacturer, distributor and service provider of traffic and parking control products, is excited to announce the launch of a new product line, LegendViz Traffic Signs.

LegendViz signs feature a legend illuminated from dusk to dawn by long-lasting LEDs, allowing for enhanced sign legibility without the need for retroreflectivity or headlights. Each legend is highly visible and brightly illuminated whether approaching the sign from straight on or from perpendicular or offset angles.

A TAPCO survey found that improved legend visibility is a top-ranked need for LED-enhanced signs among state DOT and municipal traffic engineers. LegendVi Traffic Signs have been shown to increase sign legibility distance by as much as 100 percent compared to standard traffic signs, according to the results of a closed-course driver trial and statistical analysis conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).

AAXA Technologies announces the release of the M7 Pico Projector

AAXA Technologies announces the release of the M7 Mini Projector – a 4K ready Mini Projector with a native 1080p resolution and a high brightness DLP optical engine.

The AAXA M7 enables compact ultra-high brightness projection with Osram Quad-Cast LED technology and DLP's advanced cinema based imager.

The M7 mobile projector houses a massive 15000mah lithium ion battery. This battery powers the M7 at a brilliant 650 lumens for 90 minutes or 3 hours in eco mode. Furthermore the M7 mini projector doubles as a power bank. With its onboard USB charge port the M7 can charge smart devices at 10 Watts.

An onboard USBC compatible port allows the M7 to mirror USBC devices including Samsung / LG smartphones, late model Ipads, some Macbooks, and other USBC devices.

Alloy LED Introduces PowerLine 300 Driverless LED Tape Light

The new PowerLine 300 from Allow is a perfect complement to the existing PowerLine product line-up as it features ultra-long runs (up to 164 feet) and a new tighter diode pitch for reduced hot spots.

Available with both 120V hardwire and plug-in options, the new product provides up to 337 lumens per foot and is offered in 2700K, 3000K, 3500K and 4000K correlated color temperatures (CCT).

With a full spectrum 95+ color rendering index (CRI), the PowerLine 300 is offered in ETL Listed custom lengths and is IP65 rated for indoor and outdoor installations in wet and dry locations.

PowerLine 300 is one series of the complete PowerLine Tape Light family, which also includes PowerLine 200 and PowerLine 400. With the highest quality direct-connect LED lighting and the most configurations on the market today, all PowerLine tape is delivered custom-cut and ETL listed for easy and safe installations. Offering 95+ CRI (color rendering index), continuous runs up to 164 feet, and up to 400 lumens per foot brightness, all models are IP65 rated and compatible with household AC dimmer switches.

FirstEnergy's Arm Replaces Sodium Lights With Smart LED

FirstEnergy Corp.’s FE unit Penelec converted more than 2,300 high-pressure sodium streetlights into smart LED streetlamps in downtown Erie and along the Bayfront during the period between November 2020 and June 2021.

The move is part of Erie's Smart City Project, which aims to transform the city and drive economic growth. The photocells of the new street lights are well-equipped with a Wi-Fi card that allows conveyance of real-time data to a control center via a wireless communications network. It will help Penelec monitor the working of streetlights for which it had to earlier rely on its customers or employees. Also, the standard photocells know when to switch on or off the streetlights depending on the time of the day.

FirstEnergy’s strategic investments help it serve its six million customers efficiently. In 2021, it expects to spend up to $2.9 billion while in 2022, it estimates to invest up to $2.9-$3.2 billion. Also, it provided the CAPEX guidance for 2023 in the range of $2.7-$3.1 billion.

New Prototype LED Lightbulb Emits Less Blue Light

 

A University of Houston research team is developing an LED bulb that emits most of its energy from the safer violet segment of the visible light spectrum.

Sleep studies reveal that nighttime overexposure to blue frequencies can alter hormones like melatonin, sometimes leading to insomnia, disturbed sleep cycles, and other problems. Too much blue-light exposure also is suspected in cataract formation.

Instead of just masking the blue light, the researchers are developing a unique class of luminescent materials called phosphors that absorb a violet LED’s single-color emission and convert the light to cover the majority of the visible spectrum.

Results of their research were recently published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, a journal of the American Chemical Society.

Philips Hue to introduce new bulbs in September

New and brighter Philips Hue bulbs are expected to launch by September.

According to hueblog, Philips will announce new bulbs in August or September. The new bulbs include brighter versions of the standard bulbs, filament bulbs, and a new E14 filament base for the European region.

The current standard bulb is rated for 806 lumens, but this will increase to 1,100 lumens, and 1,600 lumens depending on the wattage purchased.

US LED downlight market reached a value of US$ 3.5 Billion in 2020

The US LED downlight market reached a value of US$ 3.5 Billion in 2020, according to a new report.

LED downlights are defined as recessed light fixtures which are mounted into a hollow opening in a ceiling. These lights are extensively used across residential and commercial spaces. LED downlights are energy efficient as well as eco-friendly lighting solutions, which emit light in the downward direction with a narrow beam. These lights have a relatively longer lifespan with minimum heat radiation. They currently find wide applications in shopping malls, offices, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, etc.

LED downlights are proficient of enduring tough conditions such as external shocks and vibrations, extreme weather conditions, and traffic-related public exposure, etc. This has resulted in LED downlights turning into one of the most favoured choices for outdoor lighting systems.

In addition, the sales of these lights are also proliferating since they consume a significant lower amount of electricity and emit lesser amount of ultraviolet (UV) rays and heat.

Apart from this, on account of the rising prices of electricity in several developing economies, the governments are taking initiatives to encourage the widespread incorporation of LED lights across various sectors.

DesignLights Consortium releases update to technical requirements for horticultural lighting

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) released the final version of its updated Technical Requirements for Horticultural Lighting (Version 2.1).

Scheduled to take effect September 1, the new policy establishes Qualified Products List (QPL) eligibility for three additional product types, and reflects changes made in response to stakeholder comments received this spring.

DLC’s Horticultural Lighting Technical Requirements V2.1 add direct current (DC)-powered fixtures, externally supplied actively cooled horticultural fixtures, and LED replacement lamps to the DLC’s Horticultural Lighting Program.

Solar Street Lighting Market worth USD 48.31 Billion by 2027

According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR) the Solar Street Lighting market is projected to be worth USD 48.31 Billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 21.93% during the forecast period (2021 - 2027), The market was valued at USD 12.15 billion in 2020.

Solar energy in the last two decades has experienced noteworthy growth. However, the outbreak has disrupted this momentum considerably. Governments are tackling such challenges and determining the pace of solar energy deployment in the future.

At large, the solar industry impacted by the effect of the pandemic and its uncertainty has resulted in concern for most businesses. Further, China being the largest market for generation of solar energy, the slowdown in the economic growth in the country has impacted the overall renewable energy investment and generation globally.

With regards to India, the outbreak has hit at a time when the solar project execution in the country is at its highest in the financial year’s last quarter. India has ambitious targets to attain the 100GW solar energy target by 2022. In January 2020, the country has installed about 35GW of solar energy projects.

10,100 LED Street Lamps Along Saint-Laurent's Roads

Over the past six years, no less than 10,100 street lamps in Saint-Laurent (Canada) have been replaced with LEDs (light-emitting diodes). 

This smart lighting system has many advantages: savings on energy costs (-50%) and maintenance costs (-55%), improved visibility and reduced light pollution.

This project corresponds to the objectives of Saint-Laurent's 2016-2020 Local greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan (corporate component), particularly aimed at cutting down on electricity consumption for street lighting.

Godox introduces new RGB LED Panel Lights

Godox has three new RGB LED panel lights, the LD75R, LD150RS, and LD150R. Godox is mainly known for its affordable spotlights, but this is their first foray into larger-sized RGW LED panel lights.

All three lights have CCT, RGB, HSI, and FX operating modes. There is also an extensive gel library featuring ROSCO and LEE gels.

'Switching to LED lighting can help the EU in its race to zero emission'

In the EU, where lighting is estimated to be responsible for around 10% of all electricity use, findings by Signify  reveal that by upgrading conventional luminaires to LED presents the union with a significant opportunity to help it achieve net zero carbon emissions in 2050.

Such a switch will further help the 27 member states meet the goals of the European Green Deal and deliver on their commitments as part of the Paris Agreement.

Upgrading the EU’s existing 2.3 billion conventional luminaires to LED will reduce the amount of CO2 emissions by 50.9 million tonnes. This is the equivalent of CO2 that 2.3 billion trees - a forest larger than the United Kingdom - would sequester in a year.

The electricity savings would amount to 188.5 TWh, which is the equivalent of the annual consumption of 51.8 million households or more than a quarter of all the households in the EU. This translates into EUR 40 billion in savings on electricity costs per year across the 27 member states. Additionally, for every EUR 1 million invested in energy renovation of buildings, an average of 18 jobs are created in the EU.2

Upgrading professional lighting, which includes the lighting in offices, industrial complexes, roads and parks, and in shops and hotels, presents the biggest opportunity with a potential reduction of CO2 emissions of 42 million tonnes. Furthermore, it is one the quickest and least intrusive parts of a building renovation, while providing the highest electricity savings of any replacement technology.

Additionally, having EU citizens upgrade all their residential lighting, would reduce CO2 emissions by 8.9 million tonnes per year.

Signify calls upon the EU to more than double the rate of building renovations to 3% per year and to make the switch to smart LED lighting. This should also be accompanied by an EU-wide public information program targeted at consumers to explain the environmental and economic benefits of making the switch in their homes.

Beltrami County History Center receives energy-efficient lighting upgrade

More than 100 lights in the Beltrami County History Center (Minnesota) were recently upgraded to LEDs following an assessment of the former Great Northern Depot that houses the Beltrami County Historical Society.

173 fluorescent lights were replaced with LEDs and all the quartz lights in the galleries were removed.

The upgrade was made possible by a rebate of $1,967 from Otter Tail, other donations and lots of volunteer hours.

First UV LED Water Bottle to Be NSF/ANSI 55 Certified

CrazyCap has been certified by NSF International, making it the first UV water bottle to receive the NSF/ANSI 55 certification for ultraviolet water treatment systems.
 
CrazyCap was NSF 55 certified through rigorous testing by the water safety industry experts at NSF International. This certification proves that the UV-C technology in the CrazyCap is effective against killing bacteria, viruses and microorganisms in your drinking water.

Purifying water with CrazyCap's UV-C LED technology eliminates the need for single-use plastic water bottles and disposable filters. The deep UV light also self-cleanses the inside of the bottle, and CrazyCap is rechargeable and lasts up to 7 days on a single charge.

By providing safe drinking water through its UV-C water bottle cap, CrazyCap is working to improve access to clean water for both urban and outdoor communities. CrazyCap is also committed to reducing environmental waste and encourages people to buy just the cap as a replacement, instead of the complete bottle, if they already own a similar bottle. The cap is compatible with a wide variety of bottle brands on the market such as S'well, Mira, Chilly's, Simple Modern, etc.