In a collaboration between LayTec and Prof. Dirk Rueter´s group at University of Applied Sciences Ruhr West a breakthrough has been achieved regarding the real-time monitoring of InGaN/GaN quantum well emission wavelength during MOCVD growth. It is well known that room temperature wafer based photoluminescence (PL) measurements provide an excellent forecast of the emission wavelength and emission intensity of the later LED devices. Recently, a prototype in-situ PL system worked simulatnneously with a LayTec Pyro 400 in a commercial multi-wafer MOCVD reactor. The related paper [2] was rocketed immediately to the status of  “most downloaded Journal of Crystal Growth articles”  from Science Direct. This  work is supported under grant KF3242801NT3 by BMWi (German Federal Government).

An Israeli startup company Wi-Charge is freeing homes from power cords with a new charging system powered entirely by light, according to aYahoo report.

The nearly 300,000 yearly skiers and snowboarders at the Mount St. Louis Moonstone Ski Resort (MSLM) will enjoy an experience few other resorts in the world can match, thanks to an innovative LED lighting system by Musco Lighting. This efficient system will help MSLM conserve energy, lessen its environmental impact, extend hours for nighttime use and eliminate maintenance costs over the next decade.

Taiwanese high power LED lighting company Aeon Lighting Technology (ALT) successfully debuted its first MR16 spotlight suitable for enclosed fixtures due to its advanced thermal technology and heat dissipation structure. The product has successfully passed UL testing standards and received UL certification.

GlacialLight, the lighting division of GlacialTech Inc., is introducing the second generation of its modular ceiling light series for indoor commercial lighting – GL-PL0303-V2 and GL-PL0312-V2. Using a new generation of LED thermal and lighting technology the 295mm square GL-PL0303-V2 consumes only 14.8 watts while producing up to 1260 lumens, and the longer GL-PL0312-V2 fluorescent tube replacement LED light, with dimensions of 295mm x 1195mm, reduces energy consumption to 44.5 watts while producing up to 3900 lumens.

LED lighting markets in Europe, the US, and Japan have gradually matured, and China is also entering a period of intense competitions over pricing and scale. With the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community, LED vendors’ attention on the emerging markets in Southeast Asia has grown over the years. According to a recent estimation made by LEDinside, a division of Trendforce, the lighting markets of the six major Southeast Asian countries – Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Philippines – had a combined value of US$4.5 billion in 2014. Out of that amount, around US$1.1 billion came from the LED lighting market. The growing infrastructure needs within the countries of Southeast Asia are expected to bring great demands for LED lighting as well. 

Leading global LED manufacturer Nichia’s product lineup for 2015 will include UV LEDs, Mn 4+red phosphor powder, and laser diode products, company representatives revealed at a recent press conference at Hotel Okura in Taipei, Taiwan.

As the lighting industry transits from traditional light sources to LEDs, Osram Licht, the world’s second largest lighting company, has responded by shifting its focus on service and maintenance business to maintain steady revenue growth, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

LG Display is in the process of setting up an OLED alliance comprised of Chinese, Japan and U.S. companies to promote its OLED panel business, according to a recent report by The Korea Times.

Several Indian LED manufacturers have asked the country’s government to consider implementing tax reforms to make it easier for companies to conduct business across different India states, reported The Hindu.

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hiroaki Ishizuka) today announced that on January 23, the company filed a suit in the Intermediate People's Court in Shenzhen City alleging that products of Yantai Shield Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. and U.S.-based Intematix Corporation infringed on a patent (Chinese patent no. ZL201110066517.7, etc.) for red phosphor owned by MCC and National Institute for Materials Science. MCC seeks an injunction on the production and sale of phosphors in China and damages in this lawsuit.

Veeco Instruments announced today that a leading Taiwanese semiconductor foundry has placed a repeat order for multiple Apex™ Gas Mixing Systems.  The systems are expected to reduce germane (GeH4) purchase costs by up to 40% and increase yield for the foundry’s most advanced processes by delivering repeatable mixtures of GeH4 in hydrogen for silicon germanium epitaxy. 

Liown Electronics, one of the world's largest suppliers of LED flameless candles and lighting, announced that it has filed a patent infringement claim against nine (9) defendants for infringing on Liown's U.S. Patent No. 8,926,137, which issued on January 6 and covers Liown's flameless candle technology, Moving Flame TM.  Liown has also asserted that these nine (9) companies infringe its U.S. Patent No. 8,789,986.

Come visit the Lighting Application Center (LAC) in Somerset, New Jersey, U.S. to experience what light can do. Once you enter the center, you’ll be immersed in a variety of lighting applications in a dozen separated vignettes presenting various retail, hospitality and working environments.

Access Fixtures, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of commercial and sports lighting, is spearheading a fundamental shift in the lighting industry with their new 26w LED traditional wall pack, the first to be priced lower than an equivalent 70w metal halide traditional wall pack.

Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) – Booth 407 – ON Semiconductor, driving energy efficient innovations, will be showcasing some of its latest advances in power management technology at APEC, including a new LLC current-mode power supply for computers and LED TVs, significant developments in GaN, and a sensor-less motor driver controller.

Samsung Electronics America is showcasing its new SMART Signage Video Walls with Color Expert technology along with a broad range of solutions for any digital signage environment at the 2015 Digital Signage Expo (DSE). Highlights from Samsung’s 2015 lineup, including small signage solutions, high-brightness displays, video wall installations featuring Samsung Color Expert technology and more will be shown in Booth #1813 at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 11-12. In addition to its commercial displays, Samsung is extending its expertise with its recent acquisition of YESCO Electronics, a leading LED sign and display manufacturer.

Japanese LED chip manufacturer Nichia’s first flip chip LED product, set to be launched in October this year, will be one ninth the size of the average flip chip, said the company’s optoelectronic division chief technology officer today at a press conference at Hotel Okura in Taipei, Taiwan.

DEKRA Testing and Certification (Shanghai) signed the cooperation agreement with ORSAM recently becomming ORSAM's first certified partner for testing and certification in LLFY (LED Light for you) team.

RayVio today announced that it has emerged from stealth mode and raised US $9.3 million in Series B funding, with new investors including Applied Ventures, Augment Ventures, New Ground Ventures and Tolero Ventures. Existing investors DCM Ventures and Capricorn Investment Group also contributed to the round. The capital will be used to accelerate RayVio's go-to-market strategy, grow its team, and enable mass adoption of UV LED solutions in the industrial, commercial and consumer sectors.

Gobal LED manufacturer Lighting Science Group Corporation announces the appointment today of Pete Rumsey as Executive Vice President of Business Development. Rumsey brings over two decades of proven commercial, marketing and operational experience to his new role. Reporting directly to Lighting Science CEO Ed Bednarcik, Pete will be working with the executive team to direct the company’s commercial business development ventures and bring Lighting Science’s innovative LED product assortment to the forefront of the global commercial market.

When developing new products, time is money and production and design mistakes can be costly. Lambda Research Corporation's award-winning TracePro® opto-mechanical software – used for design, analysis and optimization of optical and illumination systems – allows designers to reduce costly and time-consuming trial-and-error prototyping steps. Lambda Research's latest software installment, TracePro 7.6, includes new diffuser catalogs, new features and a simplified menu structure that broaden the program's capabilities. 

The new owners of Bishop's Palace House Canadian & Portland Estates planned its transformation into an exciting new retail and leisure destination. One of the main topics in this project: to showcase the work of a famous local artist, Eadward Muybridge to breathe new life into the site with eye-catching design and a visually identifiable focal point with cutting-edge LED technology.

Lextar today announced its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2014 financial report.

Leading Taiwanese LED manufacturers Epistar and Everlight reported declining revenues in February 2015, according to a report from CNA.

Bright colorful LED billboards, and neon lights are deeply integrated in Taiwan’s nightscape. The country’s bustling night life has been a major attraction for foreign tourists, but overtly bright lights at night can also be a health and safety hazard. Some local residents have seen their circadian rhythm disrupted by the bright lights, and it can also impact traffic safety. For years, there was no law available to regulate light pollution, but all this is about to change, according to an Apple Daily report.

Despite leading the global LED component market in 2014, Taiwanese LED manufacturers are entering LED niche markets, according to an UDN report.

GaN Systems, a leading developer of gallium nitride power switching semiconductors, has announced the signing of a distribution deal with Seoul-based global group Websolus. Listed on the Korea New Exchange (KONEX), with 13 Branch Offices in Korea, China, & Thailand, Websolus specialises in three major business sectors: IT Consulting & Systems Integration for Power Grid, Water & Energy systems solutions for Global Infrastructure, and Procurement & Distribution for Electronic Components. \

Urban streets will soon be lined with safer, cheaper, more efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lighting thanks to an accelerated funding model, said Simon Bridges, Transport and Energy and Resources Minister.

In Part III of Fairchild Semiconductors blog series on LED lighting trends we discussed MR11/16 Lamp LED Driver Design Challenges. Now we’ll look at A19, E14/17, E26/27 Bulb Lamp LED Driver Design.