Recently, quantum dots (QDs)—nano-sized semiconductor particles that produce bright, sharp, color light—have moved from the research lab into commercial products like high-end TVs, e-readers, laptops, and even some LED lighting. However, QDs are expensive to make so there’s a push to improve their performance and efficiency, while lowering their fabrication costs.A team of researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has recently produced some promising results toward that goal, developing a new method to extract more efficient and polarized light from quantum dots (QDs) over a large-scale area. Their method, which combines QD and photonic crystal technology, could lead to brighter and more efficient mobile phone, tablet, and computer displays, as well as enhanced LED lighting.

Fast food restaurants simply rely on buzzing fluorescent lighting to bring in the customers; it’s bright, well-lit, simple and practical. At the other end of the spectrum is Dans le Noir, an international group of six restaurants in which the food is served in absolute darkness. The complete absence of any light at all is designed to heighten the experience of the other four senses. However, between these two extremes, there is an array of lighting choices, varying in intensity and tone that are fundamental to the ambience of any restaurant.

Cree and Epistar signs a global LED patent cross-license agreement, a move that is considered by many in the industry to defend their market position and play on their technology strengths. Korean LED chip manufacturer Seoul Semiconductor appears to be expanding its UV LED product range through affiliate company Seoul Viosys. Seoul Viosys acquisition of U.S. UV LED manufacturer SETi has been approved by U.S. Department of Defense. According to a Korea Times report Seoul Viosys was in talks with DOD for three years before the acquisition proposal was approved. Some interesting applications this week, LEDs might be making their ways into biochem labs in the future. UC Berkley bioengineers have found a way to speed up replicating DNA with the aid of LED lights. In another turn of developments, Arizona State University researchers demonstrate the first white laser, which could potentially replace most LED applications in the future.

Chinese LED manufacturers Auckson Opto and Unilumen financial results in 2Q15 was polarize. Auckson net profits plummeted, in stark contrast Unilumen’s revenues nearly doubled, reported Chinese-language report Security Times.

Top Taiwanese LED manufacturers Everlight and Epistar revenues for second quarter of 2015 were impacted by trending low LED prices on the market, according to a China Times report.

U.S. LED manufacturer TCP International Holding (TCP) ex-CEO Ellis Yan has settled a lawsuit brought up by former lawyer Laura Hauser, for US $3.9 million, according to a Cleveland.com report.

Universal Display Corporation, enabling energy-efficient displays and lighting with its UniversalPHOLED® technology and materials,today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015.

TOGGLED®, developer and producer of next-generation solid-state lighting technology, reported the addition of two companies, Dauer LED and Fusa Corp, to its rapidly growing roster of LED lighting product licensees.

Kyocera Corporation and Kyocera Solar, Inc. announced today that Kyocera is completing Brazil’s largest highway solar-lighting project on the Arco Metropolitano do Rio de Janeiro, a highway project connecting the five main highways crossing Rio de Janeiro. Slightly more than half of the 145-kilometer highway will be lit at night by stand-alone solar streetlights powered by Kyocera solar modules, installed by Soter over the last two years with funding from the Rio de Janeiro State Government.

Plessey today announced the release of its range of MaGIC™ LED die, manufactured on the company’s patented GaN-on-Silicon technology. The blue die, sometimes referred to as blue pump for their ability to pump phosphor to a white colour range, are the latest innovation in high brightness LED die designed for a wide range of medium to high power applications including general lighting, signage, commercial, residential and street lighting.

Power management company Eaton announced that the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Alliance’s Lighting Energy Efficient in Parking (LEEP) Campaign recognized the Denver International Airport (DIA) and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) for upgrading its parking garage lighting with Eaton’s light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires. Announced at the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) conference and expo in Los Angeles on June 29, Eaton’s luminaires upgraded nearly 11 million square feet of parking garages at the airports with it’s advanced LED technologies, resulting in energy and maintenance savings of nearly $1.5 million annually.

Rubicon Technology (Rubicon), a leading provider of sapphire substrates and products to the LED, semiconductor, and optical industries, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2015 and announced the signing of a resource sharing agreement with another sapphire polisher aimed at more rapidly reducing polishing costs.

On May 19 and 20, 2015, Lumineq hosted its third annual Distributor Meeting at the Lumineq Displays facilities in Espoo, Finland. Distributors gathered from all parts of the world to meet and discuss the strengthened global presence of the company and to see Lumineq’s recently launched EL40S segmented display and the EL640.480-AA1 color matrix display. Spirits were high and the atmosphere upbeat throughout the meeting.

The new prestigious Tatel restaurant in the centre of Madrid offers Spanish cuisine of the highest order and an air of exclusivity. Lighting scenes create the perfect atmosphere. The light management system also offers individual adjustment with connecDIM. A central dining room, five partitioned sections and a bar provide the stylish setting for private get-togthers and business meetings.

Chinese LED enterprises are spending a fortune in acquiring foreign manufacturers in 2015. A couple of examples include Shenzhen Kaifa Technology (Kaifa) recent acquisition of U.S. LED manufacturer Bridgelux, Shanghai Felio Acoustics interest in Osram’s distribution channels, and Go Scale Capital’s acquisition of Philips Lumileds. Why has there been an increase in international mergers? What are manufacturers motives? Below is a summary of Chinese media Alighting’s prove into these issues.

Chinese LED manufacturer Honglitronic recently announced the company will release 300 million non-public offering shares to raise RMB 725 million (US $116 million). The purposes of this round of financing is mainly for the construction of SMD LED manufacturing facilities, acquiring 49% of Liangyou Hardware’s shares, and increasing bonds payable and circulating capital.

Aucksun’s financial statement for first half of 2015 revealed, the company’s revenue rose 9.73% from a year earlier in 2Q15 to RMB 732 million (US$ 126 million), with RMB 137 million net profit, translating into 31.27% Year-on-Year (YoY). Net profits rose71.17%YoY to RMB 152 million. The reported net income attributable to shareholders is RMB 132 million, reflecting a 92.93% growth compared to the same period last year.

Chinese LED manufacturer Mason Technologies intends to acquire OML Technology for RMB 30 million (US $4.8 million). According to Mason Technologies, about RMB 28.2 million will be used to increase capital, while RMB 27.1 million will be used as additional paid-in capital. At the same time, the company will undergoes transfer of share. Mason Technologies will be securing 22% of OML shares through the acquisition.

The U.S. Department of Energy has released a report on a GATEWAY demonstration, in which maintenance and energy costs were significantly reduced while retaining the quality of light when LED modules replaced 87 halogen lamps in existing wall washers at the University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The project began with mockups in the spring of 2014, with final installation completed in March 2015. The primary goals were to maintain the visual appearance of the space while reducing maintenance costs, with energy savings considered an additional benefit.

India will be replacing one billion lights nationwide with energy efficient LEDs within three years, The Economic Times quoted a top ranking Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) official saying.

GE has partnered with Beacon Lighting to expand the reach of its LED business in Australia and New Zealand.

STG Aerospace, a world leader in pioneering aircraft lighting technologies, is delighted to announce the completed installation of a saf-Tglo™ SuperSeal UltraLite™ (SSUL) emergency floorpath marking system with OverCarpet and a liTeMood® LED cabin lighting system on the Boeing 757-200 operated by DreamJet trading as La Compagnie. La Compagnie operates scheduled flights to New York from both Paris and London, business class only. The 757 aircraft’s cabin is fully equipped in a business-class configuration with only 74 lie-flat seats.

Lighting Science Group Corporation® (OTCQB:LSCG) continues to change the LED game with the introduction of our new A19 4-pack, delivering the superior LED experience customers expect from our innovative LED collection. Created with quality craftsmanship, our new A19 bulb is unmistakably lighter and more efficient than ever before. This LED lamp truly replicates the traditional look and feel of an incandescent A19, but performs better and at a fraction of the cost. It’s your best dimmable, Energy Star rated A19 value on the market.

Osram is launching the Oslon Black SFH 4713A, an infrared LED (IRED) with a wavelength of 850 nanometers (nm). It is ideally suited to security applications, such as camera-surveillance of public spaces, company premises and entrances to banks and shopping centers. While previous Oslon Black high-flux IREDs were designed for systems with a range of up to one hundred meters, the SFH 4713A supports efficient designs for near-range illumination from 10 to 50 meters.

Hubbell Lighting, a world leader in lighting innovation, announced today that Alera Lighting has launched two new linear lighting solutions—the Plank 7” LED (LP7) and the Curv Radial Lens LED, a new addition to the Curv Radial family.

LED light source module has matured these years. More LED packages are suitable for lighting applications have emerged including chip-on-board (COB) and flip chip. Under this situation, there is a growing emphasis on developing omnidirectional 360 degrees and good thermal dissipation LED light sources in the market. As a result, Korean, Japanese and Chinese manufacturers have become increasingly focused on the development of the above listed products.

Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting, has expanded its Hue home lighting ecosystem to include the new Philips Hue Tap* in New Zealand. Powered by kinetic energy, the smart light switch can be mounted on the wall or left in a handy spot to control Hue* for times when your phone is on charge or the kids are playing with your tablet.

The LED industry is gradually maturing in 2015, with products cost/performance (C/P) ratio becoming increasingly important. Low and mid-power flip chip products are increasingly valued by the industry. To further understand this trend LEDinside recently interviewed Lattice Power Chief Technology Officer Hanmin Zhao.

Cree and Epistar announced on Aug. 4, 2015, the two companies signed a global LED patent cross license agreement. The move signals large LED manufacturers strategy of maintaining market positions through patent advantages, said LEDinside analysts.

Orion Energy Systems, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, today announced financial results for its fiscal 2016 first quarter ended June 30, 2015, highlighted by strong LED sales and solid gross margin expansion.