Now that we’ve flipped the calendar page to January, it’s a chance to celebrate that 2015 has been declared the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015) by the United Nations. We don’t take this opportunity – pardon the pun – lightly.  This is for several reasons. First, our jobs revolve around light.  We work for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, which is a telescope in space that observes X-rays from the Universe. X-rays are a kind of light. In fact, there are many different kinds of light, but only one that the human eye can detect naturally (called optical, or “visible,” light).

Scientifically-driven indoor growing solutions poised to transform marijuana industry with long-term promise to improve sustainability of global food production. ILS positioned to become leader in indoor grow light industry projected to reach $3.6 billion by 2020.

Hubbell Lighting, a world leader in lighting innovation, launched today a LED fixture capable of delivering nearly 100% usable light for plant growth with virtually no wasted energy—Hubbell Industrial Lighting’s NutriLED.

Enterprises lack of market competitiveness, has contributed to Japan’s long economic slump, according to a Shanghai Stock Information Service report. The number of patent applications slid since reaching a pinnacle in 2000. The main cause has been the very little recognition and compensation Japanese employees have been receiving for their important inventions. Amendments to existing patent laws are expected to further aggravate the situation.

Taiwanese LED manufacturer Everlight has made its way into the global top five manufacturers, having finally joined the US$ 1 billion revenue club in 2014, according to a cnYes.com report.

Over the last 10 years LED package manufacturer ProLight Opto Technology (ProLight) has weathered through tough situations, including a financial crisis that nearly brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy. The company managed to turn around its operations under the management of current Chairman FM Chen, who since joining the company in 2007, has worked closely with General Manager Michael Hsing to convert the company’s business strategy. The pair has successfully transformed a company close to insolvency, into a listed company on the Taiwan bourse with an annual revenue of more than NT $1 billion (US $30 million).

Apple’s long term OEM Foxconn and Innolux will be producing OLED displays for upcoming iDevices, according to a report from Japanese media, Nikkan Kogyo Shumbun.

The most inefficient light bulbs are being sold as ‘eco’ by major brands across Europe, an investigation by Coolproducts has found, just as the UN launches the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies.

According to Cabinet Decision No. 34, lightings fall into United Arab Emirates mandatory control scope from July 1, 2014:

U.S. President Barack Obama asked local leaders to upgrade 1.5 million streetlights to LEDs at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter meeting, held last Friday at the White House, according to a CNN report.

Taiwan’s LED gross output value could soar at double digit rates in 2015 as local suppliers seek out various application sectors to boost shipments, said Taiwan’s LED Lighting Industry Association (TLLIA).

Having established a foothold in the Egyptian market, Tamer Abol Ghar, CEO of Philips North East Africa, recently spoke Egypt media Daily News about the company’s plans for 2015.

LEDs are being considered as an alternative dermatology treatment to replace the more costly laser lights in Iran, according to a report by Mehr News Agency.

When the top players in the American Hockey League take the ice on January 25-26 for the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Turning Stone Resort Casino, they might not be familiar with all of their teammates, but they will be familiar with the innovative new LED lighting system at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

TrendForce, which operates four research divisions including LEDinside, announced this week it has acquired Topology to become the biggest private technology market research institute in Taiwan. The U.S. DOE has been fairly active this week, having announced another round of funding opportunities for SSL industry. The Father of Blue LEDs, Shuji Nakamura, is betting on laser diodes to replace LEDs in the near future, while Japanese LED manufacturer Toyoda Gosei signs a white LED patent license agreements with Chinese LED manufacturer Jufei Opto. In terms of innovative applications, Japanese designer Kiyoyuki Amano has designed a skirt that highlights ladies thighs with LED lights.

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science has selected for award four Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)-Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposals targeting advances in solid-state lighting technology:

The Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign returns to make a difference and create a better everyday life for the many refugees living around the world. Starting February 1 and running till March 29, 2015, for every LED light bulb purchased in IKEA stores, the IKEA Foundation will donate one euro ($1.16 *) to help UNHCR light refugee camps -- making them a safer, more suitable place for the families who live there. In its first year (2014), the Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign, raised $10.6 million (EUR7.7 million**) globally, and the US alone raised over $570,000 through IKEA co-worker and customer support.

On Monday January 19th, The International Year of Light 2015 was officially launched at the UNESCO Headquarter in Paris. During the Opening Ceremony, Philips Lighting CEO, Eric Rondolat, who was one of the speakers announced that Philips Lighting is committed to help end light poverty. He stated “We need to end light poverty for 1.3 billion people by 2030… Eradicating Light Poverty is the most socio-economic thing to do”.  Eric Rondolat also talked about how solar powered LED lighting is an alternative to kerosene.

The Western Railway, which operates in Mumbai, India is planning to replace less efficient fluorescent tube lights with LEDs, according to a report by mid day.

Access Fixtures, a leader in commercial and sports lighting, is proud to announce a 53% revenue growth in a year-over-year comparison from 2013 to 2014. Specifically, LED products exceeded a growth of 100% year-over-year, demonstrating the constant advancement of LED technology and rapid adoption of LED products, including LED bollard lights,LED wall packs, and LED flood lights. LED product sales now exceed 50% of Access Fixtures total revenue.

The Seattle Mariners today announced that Safeco Field will be the first Major League Baseball facility to illuminate the playing field with LED lights.

Chinese LED manufacturer Leyard’s oversea military orders reached nearly RMB 100 million (US $16 million) last year, according to a Jinghua report.

TrendForce, a global market intelligence firm, announced today that it has become the majority shareholder of Topology Research Institute, and has fully acquired operation and management rights. Kevin Lin, the CEO of TrendForce, will also hold the title of Chairman of Topology. Topology’s operations, brand, and managing staff will be under the same business model after the merger.  LEDinside is a research division of TrendForce.

The U.S. Department of Energy's CALiPER program has released Report 20.3, which is part of a series of investigations on LED PAR38 lamps. Report 20.3 focuses on an evaluation of robustness. Three samples each of 40 of the Series 20 PAR38 lamps (including LED and benchmark conventional lamps) underwent multi-stress testing, whereby samples were subjected to increasing levels of simultaneous thermal, humidity, electrical, and vibrational stress. The results don't explicitly predict expected lifetime or reliability, but they can be compared with one another, as well as with benchmark conventional products, to assess the relative robustness of the product designs.

Azerbajin, a country located in Central Asia, is aiming to bring LED manufacturing to the country by working with LG, reported Azernews.

The LIA has been working closely with the Green Construction Board and British Retail Consortium to develop a campaign aimed at encouraging independent and small to medium sized retailers to switch to LED lighting installations.

DEKRA is strategically expanding its product testing business in Asia. The expert organisation has signed an agreement for acquisition of the QuieTek Corporation in Taipei, Taiwan. This purchase compliments DEKRA’s service portfolio and further strengthens DEKRA’s position in testing of electrical and electronic products and components.

Universal Display and Sumitomo Chemical (Sumitomo Chemical) today announced the signing of a new OLED Technology License Agreement. Under the agreement, Universal Display has granted Sumitomo Chemical non-exclusive license rights, under various patents owned or controlled by Universal Display, to manufacture and sell solution-processed organic light emitting diode (OLED) lighting products. The agreement runs for the life of Universal Display’s relevant intellectual property rights.

Building on the success of the groundbreaking XLamp® MH family of LEDs, Cree introduces the XLamp MHD-E and MHD-G LEDs, the high-power LEDs that combine the high lumen density and reliability of a ceramic chip-on-board LED with the design and manufacturing advantages of a surface-mount package. Utilizing elements of the Cree SC5 Technology™ Platform, the ceramic XLamp MHD LEDs simplify development, increase design flexibility and improve manufacturing efficiency compared to mid-power LEDs. The MH family enables new designs and significantly lower system costs, all while delivering industry-leading performance.

Heliospectra, a world leader in intelligent lighting technology for plant research and greenhouse cultivation, has received an order worth about one million SEK (US $120,000) for the LX60 system. The order includes 100 units and is from the same customer that last summer ordered 20 units. The new order is Heliospectra’s largest so far.