Plessey announced that it has successfully achieved native blue and green color emission on the same epitaxy wafer with its GaN-on-Silicon process. (Image: Plessey) To form RGB Micro LED displays, typical approaches are to use a pick and place process to transfer discrete R, G and B pixels or to use Native Blue LEDs as the light source for subsequent color conversion, to Red and Green. But the tiny chip size makes the placement process and conversion very difficult. Plessey’s latest patented growth approach simplifies the color conversion process by c...

Micro LED technology is on its way to take off with various applications launched by leading companies across the world. Small size displays for wearable products, middle size display for automotive applications and extra-large TVs are the three major areas targeted by current Micro LED players according to their strategies of Micro LED technology. LEDinside observed several roadmaps of Micro LED technology developments of different leading companies in the field. Luxury Micro LED TVs Since Micro LED technology still faces the challenge of high pro...

AMS is going to announce the result of Osram’s takeover bid on October 3 after it reported that it is holding 19.99% of all Osram shares on October 1 as a direct shareholding, before the offer expired at midnight. The sensor maker targeted for a minimum of 62.5% shareholding to win the bid against Bain and Advent. The consortium of Bain Capital and Advent reported their interests of joining the bidding with a better offer on September 26, which pushed AMS to raise its offer price from EUR 38.5 (US$ 42.17) per share to EUR 41 (US$ 44.91) on September 27...

The effects of lighting on human well-being are getting more attention with more and more lighting brands choosing LED products that deliver light with wavelengths similar to natural light. UK-based WILA Lighting, for example, has adopted Seoul Semiconductor’s SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs for its new product range, Visic. (Image: Seoul Semiconductor/WILA) The new product is a recessed ceiling luminaire featuring human-centric lighting design that matches the spectrum of natural sunlight. The technology lowers the blue light peak to be similar ...

Using light to transmit data is no longer the future. Vodafone is joining force with Signify to integrate 5G and LiFi to provide high speed and broadband connectivity. The collaboration aims to develop applications, use cases and solutions that deliver secure and reliable two-way wireless communication at speeds well beyond traditional wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. (Image: Signify) Vodafone in Germany said it was the first company to bring Germany into the 5G era and is combining telecommunications and lighting to push further innovations. The two ...

Patently Apple published a new article noting that Apple was granted another Micro LED related patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The patent is titled “Micro LED mixing cups,” describing the integration of different layers in Micro LED. The mixing cups structure, according to the patent description, includes “a diffuser layer adjacent the LED, an angular filter directly over the diffuser layer and the LED, and an overcoat layer directly over the angular filter and the LED.” These layers are designed to integrate differen...

In April, an Apple rumor pointed out that the company would have launched Mini LED backlight product in the second half of 2019 and Mini LED iPad as well as Macbook since the end of 2020. In June, we have seen Apple presented its Pro Display XDR based on LED backlight display which is similar to Mini LED backlight technology but not the same. Now, Apple was said again that it will launch iPad and MacBook adopting Mini LED displays. The rumor said that the Mini LED based iPad and MacBook will use about 10,000 LED chips that are smaller than...

Mikro Mesa Technology announced a breakthrough in Micro LED mass transferring and bonding which successfully transferred Micro LED chips sized 3µm to manufacture a 4-inch display. (Image: Mikro Mesa) Mikro Mesa’s technology is capable of transfer chips sized 2 to 5 µm and can produce display with a resolution of 1,800 ppi with millions of Micro LED chips, enabling large size applications including TVs above 55-inch. In addition, the technology is featured with low temperature and press-free bonding for better yield. The low temperature process ...

Plessey announced the launch of a Micro LED Direct-Drive display platform and development kit, based on its proprietary monolithic GaN-on-Silicon technology. According to Plessey, the Direct-Drive displays provide OEM’s and product developers with a solution to retrofit current products or develop new concept designs. Sized smaller than 5x5mm, the display can deliver a brightness of 2 million nits with an input power of 250 mW. (Image: Plessey) The Direct-Drive displays are designed to presents symbolic content with pixel capabilities for 2µm. Du...

Researchers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Ghent University (UGent) and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a dynamic reprogrammable material whose structure chances under green LED light. The new dynamic material, developed by the international research team, was formed with naphthalenes and the coupling molecules triazolinediones (TADs). Once placed under shining green LED light, the material would remain stable and strong. When the light is off and the material remains in darkness, the chemical bonds of the network struct...

Horticulture lighting provider Fohse reported that it has been selected by Las Vegas-based cannabis cultivator Green Life Productions to be its official grow lighting partner. GLP is a licensed cannabis cultivation facility that has a primary focus on organic production of cannabis through no-till living soil systems, using the ethics and principles of permaculture. From the outset, GLP has always used LED grow lighting as opposed to legacy types of lighting like high pressure sodium (HPS). Aside from being more energy-efficient, LED lighting allows for better prod...

LiDAR technology builders are proactively increasing their influence in the market by launching more advanced products as well as expanding global business. Germany-based solid-state LiDAR technology provider Blickfeld added a new product to its portfolio while Canadian LiDAR maker, LeddarTech, announced partnership with Acal BFi for extending its business to Europe. Blickfeld is launching a MEMS-based LiDAR sensor for extended detection of objects at a distance of up to 250 meters. In combination with the Blickfeld Cube, Blickfeld now offers a full LiD...

Samsung is providing its Micro LED display, The Wall Luxury, for two events, Paris Fashion Week and the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS). With its meticulous display performance, Micro LED displays are perfect fits for high-end business event to display details of innovative design and fashion. (Image: Samsung) The Wall Luxury was demonstrated as part of the Trunk Show by the Italian luxury fashion brand Colombo Via Della Spiga, held at Ritz Paris on September 23, the first day of Paris Fashion Week featuring Colombo’s new crocodile collection. ...

Osram announced on September 25 that “the courtship” of the company continues as Bain Capitan and its new partner, Advent, are in talk with Osram with its willingness to make a new takeover for the German high tech company, confronting sensor maker AMS. According to Osram, the consortium of Advent and Bain Capital has indicated that “it may offer a ‘meaningful’ premium over the current offer from AMS of EUR 38.50 (US$42.14) per share.” The new bidders also said that their binding offer will be superior not only in terms of price ...

Seoul Semiconductor announced that it won a patent infringement lawsuit against Service Lighting and Electrical Supplies who operate online light bulb distribution website, 1000bulbs.com. The Texas Northern District federal court issued a permanent injunction against the sales of more than 50 lighting products, as well as any colorable variations of those products unless they have been licensed, according to the parties’ stipulation. Therefore, the Court will prohibit the sale of similar products if they prove to be mere colorable variations of accused products. In t...

Swiss equipment supplier Evatec reported that it has received repeat orders from Taiwan’s Micro LED company PlayNitride. Evatec will deliver multiple fully automated thin film production tools to PlayNitride for Micro LED manufacture. The tools from Evatec will support PlayNitride’s scale up production. (Image: Evatec/PlayNitride) Evatec’s Head of BU Optoelectronics Dr. Stefan Seifried commented, “With our complete thin film process portfolio for metals, TCOs, passivation layers and DBRs Evatec sputter technology was al...

As population in urban areas across the world continues to grow, it is estimated that by 2050, 68 percent of the world population will live in cities. This demographic shift will lead to increased demand for food within cities, adding strain to the agricultural and food systems, particularly in developing countries. Urban agriculture, or urban farming, has long been viewed as an innovative component in diversifying the food system. A 2018 study of urban agriculture’s global potential found that fully implemented urban farms around the world could produce as much as 180 million m...

SiliconCore built a partnership with TOPCON to supply its LED driver IC products for Taiwan-based display manufacturers to meet growing demands in the progressing Micro LED and Mini LED display market. TOPCON will help SiliconCore to deliver its LED driver ICs featured with common cathode solution. Compared with LED displays adopting common anode drivers, the common cathode ICs based LED displays can save energy consumption up to 40 percent with lower surface temperature. The products are suitable for Mini LED and Micro LED display prod...

Foxconn reportedly dismissed its Micro LED R&D team in August 2019, according to the report of a Chinese online media, Smart Display. The company denied the adjustment of its teams and claimed that the dismissed team does not belong to the Foxconn Group. Foxconn has been an active player in Micro LED technology development. The company acquired Micro LED transfer technology developer eLux and chip producer Epileds, aiming to integrate internal resources including AOT, Innolux and Sharp to build up a Micro LED chain. Industry resources also noted tha...

Following ISELED's official debut at electronica 2016, this innovative technology based on "digital LED" has experienced enormous acceptance in the industry. This is also reflected in the development of the ISELED Alliance, which has set itself the goal of offering a comprehensive system solution – an ecosystem – around ISELED. From initially five members in autumn 2016, the number of Allianz members has increased to 28 companies. The entire value chain is now covered in order to establish ISELED as a standard solution for the automo...

After selling the lighting business, Cree is accelerating its development in silicon carbide technology. The US firm announced the plan to establish a silicon carbide corridor on the East Coast of the United States with the creation of the world’s largest silicon carbide fabrication facility. Cree said it will build an automotive-qualified 200mm power and RF wafer fabrication facility in Marcy, New York, complemented by its mega materials factory expansion currently underway at its Durham headquarters. The new fabrication facility, part of a previously announce...

Several LED manufacturers in the industry have turned their business focus to automotive applications targeting the progressing automotive and electric vehicle development. The German high-tech company Osram, as one of the leading automotive LED producers, announced that it is starting a new chapter in multi-pixel solutions for car headlights. Osram released the idea of the first hybrid LED "Eviyos" two years ago and is progressing the second generation of Eviyos featuring 25,600 pixels on a single LED chip, with pixel pitch of 40 µm. According to Osra...

Micro LED technology is seeing commercialization in one or two years with wearable products and large size displays leading the way. Taiwan-based Micro LED company PlayNitride is planning to increase investment for Micro LED product production while China-based Konka Group also announced to put RMB 1.5 billion (US$ 211 million) in Micro LED research and development. PlayNitride teamed up with RiTdisplay to jointly develop PM Micro LED product for wearable applications with trial production starting this year and mass production expected in 2020. Seein...

Osram reported that it has filed a patent infringement complaint in the District Court of Delaware in the U.S. against Lighting Science Group (LSG) and its subsidiary Healthe. In its complaint, Osram asserts 8 patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,848,819, 7,045,956, 7,227,191, 7,642,734, 7,957,146, 7,994,519, 9,241,392, and 9,698,282) covering LED lighting solutions, systems and their components. According to Osram, the company is currently defending itself in two proceedings at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the United States District Co...

Fine pitch display is becoming a trend in the panel market with more and more manufacturers developing advanced display products and technology solutions. GaN-on-Si Micro LED specialist Plessey announced that it has produced a record-breaking 2.5-micron pixel pitch ultra-high resolution Micro LED display for AR/VR wearable applications. Plessey created an ultra-fine, ultra-high resolution 2000×2000 pixel display on a 2.5 microns pitch with its propriety monolithic GaN-on-Si technology. The UK-based company is dedicated to embedded Micro LED technology for...

With Nichia’s LED and driver IC from Infineon, advanced automotive front light with Micro LED enables safer driving and innovative application. The two companies announced that they have started the development of a high-definition (HD) light engine with more than 16,000 Micro LEDs for front light applications. According to Nichia, the Micro LED-based matrix light will offer a resolution about 180 times higher compared to current front light solution, paving the way for improved safety features. For example, HD light can be used to warn the driver of haza...

LEDs support sustainable horticulture development with tunable lighting technologies and other smart applications. Worldwide food suppliers as well as lighting technologies suppliers continue to create innovative growing techniques for improving crops production and quality. Israel based grow light supplier Fotonica has developed and patented its bio-illuminationTM lighting system that optimizes the growth of cannabis, green leaves, vegetables, and ornamentals while providing real-time data and analytics that ensures maximum crop control and profitability. Fotonica’s TM L...

Plessey, the UK-based optoelectronic technology solutions developer, said that it has transferred its business focus from high-powered solid-state lighting, horticultural lighting and healthcare/ safety sensors sector to GaN-on-Si monolithic Micro LED display technology. The company is disrupting the global display market with a new generation of Augmented Reality (AR) devices and display solutions based on the Micro LED technology. (Image: Plessey) Featured with high brightness, high contrast, lower power consumption, fast refresh time and the capabilities of int...

Shuiji Nakamura, the blue LED inventor and the winner of Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014, visited Taiwan last week and delivered speeches in Taiwan’s National Tsing Hua University and Chung Hsing University, as well as in Micro LED company PlayNitride. Nakamura shared his research experiences in Japan and the U.S. on the way of blue LED development and pointed out the trends and potentials of the LED industry. Shuiji Nakamura was invited to PlayNitride Back in the 1990s, ZnSe was the material that the majority believed to be critical for...

On July 31, 2019, Mitsubishi Chemical reported that it has obtained a judgement recognizing the infringement of its patent for red phosphor in China by the defendants, U.S.-based Intematix Corporation, its affiliate in China, Intematix Suzhou Lighting and its sales agency, GrandLux Optoelectronics. In response, Intematix and Intematix Optoelectronics (Suzhou) filed an appeal at the Beijing Higher People’s Court explaining how the Court’s decision was improper in view of the applicable law and facts. Intermatix also noted that according to the pr...