Since the birth of human, light (AKARI) has been indispensable. Light generates such a strong feeling, it has kept people throughout history longing for lighting that is most similar to that of natural daylight or fire. To further improve the overall quality of light as "AKARI”, Nichia Corporation has developed an Ultra-High Color Rendering white LED named Optisolis. 

Since Apple joined to share some of the OLED supply for its iPhone X in 2017, the shortage of OLED panels has become intensified. Because of the agreement Apple signed with the exclusive supplier Samsung, Apple always stays in the list as the top priority that a large proportion of the OLED supply goes to. Other smartphone manufacturers struggle as they also want to use OLED panels for their products but the supply is simply not enough. Thus, they, the Chinese smartphone brands in particular, turned to Mini LED.

According to the latest report from LEDinside, a division of the market research firm TrendForce, 1Q18 Micro LED Next-Generation Display Technology Market Report- 2018 Micro LED and Mini LED Industry Trend, the Micro LED market value in 2025 is expected to reach USD 2.891 billion.

Acuity Brands announced the availability of mobile apps to help make start-up and programming of lighting control networks and sensors from Acuity Brands easier and quicker. Now electrical contractors and other validated users can have the capability to set up and manage indoor lighting controls via their iPhone and Android mobile devices. 

Absen Inc. announces that the launch of its ‘NXTGEN’ technologies which will take place at the upcoming Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) conference in Amsterdam, February 6-9, 2018. The reveal will involve a multitude of new and innovative LED solutions covering a range of fine-pixel pitches for today’s rental applications.

Pixelligent Technologies, inventing PixClear® high-index nanocomposites for the OLED Display, HD Display, and Solid State Lighting markets, announced the release of a joint whitepaper with Fraunhofer ISC and Osram Semiconductor. The white paper demonstrates the dramatic efficiency impacts achieved by combining Pixelligent’s PixClear® high-index inks with Fraunhofer’s ORMOCER® inorganic-organic hybrid polymer matrix that are suitable for numerous optoelectronic applications.

A series of acts of Samsung developing Micro LED has been gradually unveiled. From the rumor about its investment in Taiwan-based Micro LED startup PlayNitride to the recent demonstration of its gigantic Micro LED modular TV The Wall at CES 2018, they more or less suggest Samsung’s attempt to rival other display makers with the Micro LED technology.

Apple has reportedly been granted a patent covering an optical system featuring near infrared technology that can be used for fields such as medical diagnosis and night vision.  

Lumileds today introduced an upgraded LUXEON 5050 that sets the standard for high lumen per watt (lm/W) for high bay and street lighting applications. With newly released LM-80 reliability data, the product also meets DLC Premium V4.1 requirements, enabling fixture manufacturers’ access to high utility rebates and energy savings.

Cree yesterday announced financial results for its second quarter of fiscal 2018, ended December 24, 2017.

Japan Display Inc. (JDI) announced that it has developed a transparent glass-based capacitive fingerprint sensor by applying the company's capacitive multi-touch technology used in its other liquid crystal displays (LCDs). JDI plans to start commercial shipments within its 2018 fiscal year, which ends March of 2019.

LG Display reported unaudited earnings results based on consolidated K-IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) for the three-month period ending December 31, 2017.

Philips Lighting announced on January 10 that it was letting go of a portion of the employees at its R&D laboratory in Eindhoven, reported DutchNews.nl.

WitsView, a division of TrendForce, reports that global LCD TV panel shipments increased quarter by quarter in 2017. 1H17 showed less momentum for holiday sales due to the high prices, but shipments rebounded in 2H17 as the prices declined and TV makers prepared for the year-end sales. Moreover, the new production capacities of BOE’s Gen 8.5 fab in Fuqing and HKC’s Gen 8.6 fab in Chongqing have been focusing on middle-size TV panels (43" and 32" respectively), bringing the annual shipments beyond expectation to 263.83 million pieces, an increase of 1.3% compared with 2016.

NEPCON JAPAN drew the conclusion on January 19, and the three-day exhibition featured solutions for smart home and intelligent wearables in addition to previously reported automotive electronics and automotive LED components. Other niche LED components and forward-looking LED applications are also eye-catching.

During the trade show, LEDinside visited exhibitions of equipment providers and attended conferences of fabrication process developers to find answers on all areas of Micro LED manufacturing. Below are displays and presentations made by companies that are expected to make crucial contributions to the Micro LED supply chain.

According to the latest 2018 infrared sensing application report from LEDinside, a division of TrendForce, pulse oximeter heart rate sensors in digital health have been completely introduced into smartwatch and wristband markets. They have been gradually introduced into other wearable devices, applied in sports training, home care and automotive driver monitoring markets. Because there are around 400 million patients, suffering from diabetes in the world, blood glucose monitoring market has high potential. Most blood glucose monitors are invasive. To achieve non-invasive IR optical sensing, the main keys are the accuracy of calculating program, cooperation of medical organizations and FDA certification.

Sansi North America (SNA) Displays, a manufacturer of custom LED display and lighting solutions, recently completed the installation of five exterior LED video displays at 10 Times Square, also known as 1441 Broadway.

LEDVANCE stated on January 11 that it will shut down two facilities producing traditional lighting products and it is looking to complete the closing by December 2018, as EdisonReport carried in an article.

Sumitomo Chemical has reportedly phased out its LED sapphire substrate business. SSLM, a South Korean sapphire wafer joint venture funded by Sumitomo Chemical and Samsung, stopped manufacturing sapphire substrates and Samsung also claimed to have halted investments in the company, reported The Nihon Keizai Shinbun.

VLNComm, a US-basesd firm focusing on the development of bi-directional Li-Fi, has developed the fastest, most affordable and most innovative Li-Fi LED lighting panel in the industry. Introduced and successfully demonstrated before to more than 500 people at CES 2018, the LumiNex panel is capable of 108Mbps download speeds and when coupled with the LumiStick 2, 53Mbps upload speeds. Coverage is 516 square feet and includes support for 15 users simultaneously all through the use of industry standard white LEDs.

Masco Corporation, a manufacturers of branded home improvement and building products, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire The L.D. Kichler Co. (“Kichler Lighting”), a developer of decorative residential and light commercial lighting products, ceiling fans and LED lighting systems across both consumer and professional distribution channels.

Philips Lighting is expanding its Friends of Hue program to include several leading North American LED lighting luminaire manufacturers: Access Lighting, Craftmade, ELK and ET2. The Friends of Hue partnership unites decorative lighting design with all the benefits of Philips Hue, enabling consumers to enjoy a greater choice of luminaires to enhance the look of their homes. Products by the respective partners are expected to launch in North America in Q1 and Q2 2018.

Environmental Lights, specializing in LED lighting solutions, announced the availability of a new high-capacity, low-cost single-channel dimmer.

Feit Electric, an established lighting manufacturer and pioneer in energy efficient lighting, announced the expansion of the company’s product line to offer a complete LED lighting program for California, compliant with the state’s more rigorous guidelines.

Retro LED filament bulbs are trending from New York to London and installed at locations from retro bars, vogue restaurants, to households as intricate decorative lighting. Their appearances look similar to traditional incandescent lamps, but their light is softer. LEDfilament bulbs are not only used for decoration, but they also save energy and reduce carbon emission.

As one of Asia’s biggest trade shows for electronics design and manufacturing, the annual NEPCON JAPAN has been drawing huge crowds every year. The event gathers technology suppliers, R&D teams, and industrial experts from around the world, creating valuable opportunities for business collaborations and information exchanges. This year’s NEPCON JAPAN was held at Tokyo Big Sight from 17 to 19 January.

The development of technologies, components, theories, and practical experience for autonomous driving will determine when fully autonomous vehicles become mainstream and how we introduce it to our everyday life. In particular, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is one of the key technologies that helps monitor conditions of cars, capture surrounding situations, detect dangers and hazards and send warnings to make drivers stay alert before accidents happen. At NEPCON JAPAN 2018, exhibitors demonstrate their solutions for autonomous driving and ADAS.

Lighting Science, specializing in human-centric lighting solutions, unveiled its enhanced line of biological LED products that deliver greater physiological impacts and improved energy efficiency. 

Foreverlamp has expanded their DLC premium listed LED HB Industrial Series with a new versatile design that features a 75,000 lumen output for 1000W and 750W applications. Foreverlamp’s new HB5 LED High-Bay fixture combines innovative design with a technological breakthrough in reflective materials to create a highly reflective and efficient source that is rated for 100,000 hours with minimal energy consumption at a total of 522 system watts. The exceptionally light weight luminaire weighs only 26 lbs. for ease of installation in high ceiling mounting situations and is available in both a traditional round high bay reflector or a classic high bay housing.