As flip-chip technology becomes more mature, there has been a clear increase in flip-chip applications this year. Those within the industry have been actively applying flip-chips into flash LEDs. Samsung has taken advantage of the expanded range of flash LED products and announced the launch of their new flash 2016 LED  with flip-chip technology this month.

Large smartphone manufacturers were under the spotlight at the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC) on Jan. 24, 2014. Samsung and HTC launched their flagship smartphone models at the show. Samsung’s S5 and HTC’s M8 both incorporated dual flash LED designs. Dual-color flash LEDs are projected to become standard specs in high-end smartphones.

Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) and key strategic partners of the UAE’s Ecological Footprint Initiative announce the introduction of an indoor lighting standard in the UAE and call on residents and businesses to switch to energy efficient lighting as of today.

According to a recent top-hundred ranking list of domestic patent application in 2013 by Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Lextar Electronics Corp. remained in the first place in LED industry in Taiwan,. In the ranking, Lextar was also second to none in number of granted patents and invention patent applications. This was the third consecutive year that Lextar topped in patent application in Taiwan LED industry, revealing its effectiveness in technology and patent deployment.

In response to Nichia’s press release on February 20 related to the U.S. Patent No. 6,653,215, Everlight clarifies that the decision made by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is not final and still appealable. The decision itself has no effect on Everlight’s products.  Everlight will appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) against the USPTO’s decision.

The most populous city in the Philippines is making the switch to LED streetlights. Quezon City, part of Metro Manila, will replace the current sodium streetlights with new energy efficient LEDs.

Following two years of revenue decline, HTC is hoping the launch of new wearable devices will help turn profits around. The company may demonstrate one of three wearable devices at the upcoming tradeshow in Barcelona, though the company is still unsure if they will show the devices publically or just give carriers a glimpse.

The BMW i8 represents the first production vehicle in the world with a laser light. Osram played a decisive role in the development of the laser light source. Laser light is considered the next development step in automotive lighting and offers new design possibilities in addition to its functional advantages.

Access Fixtures reports that LG LED bollard lights have superior efficacy and significant energy savings compared to metal halide equivalents. Using only 12 watts, the LED bollard lights use less than 20% of the energy required for 50w metal halide bollard lights. While the LED bollard lights drastically reduce energy use, they also emit an average of eight times more light than the MH equivalents. 

Alkilu, a U.S. based company is ambitiously raising funds to launch an affordable OLED lighting product, Aurora All-Terrain light. The LEDinside editorial team found at Lighting Japan 2014, OLED panel pricings can range from US$50-US$ 192.08 a piece. The Aurora All-Terrain pricing of US$ 74 falls somewhere in between, so its not too far off from its affordable claim.

Konka and A&A Optoelectronics in Canada will be continuing their distribution relationship in Canada, after establishing a good business relationship last year. In 2014, A&A will launch new series of products from Konka to continue their leading position in Canada. 

Thomas Research Products is excited to introduce an advanced new line of DC LED Light Engines, offering OEM customers simple solutions for solid state lighting. Thomas Research Products is a leading manufacturer of SSL power solutions.

Philips new LED light positioning system for retail applications has caught the market attention this week, with some media noting it can be a contender for Apple’s iBeacon system. Samsung has launched new LED packages for smartphone applications, which will also be applied in its Galaxy S5. Veeco revenue plunges 36% in 2013 compared to a year earlier. Breakthroughs in Mn 4+ red phosphor technology will also be creating new trends in the LED industry. For more please see below:

In the sapphire substrate industry, GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) has reaped benefits from its multi-year partnership with Apple, but other sapphire substrate manufacturers have seen revenues drop. Veeco’s latest financial reports showed losses in 4Q13, reflecting a dire need to change business strategies, while Rubicon’s yearnings were below financial analyst estimations. With smartphone applications on the rise, manufacturers that enter the smartphone market early will be the biggest benefactors. 

LiteOn Technology announced on the 19th that the merger date with Leotek Electronics will be pushed back from April 7th to June 29th due to business requirements.

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has ordered a light bulb manufacturer and its owners to pay more than US$21 million for misleading consumers by exaggerating the performance of their Light Emitting Diode (LED) light bulbs.

CSEM announces the launch of LASSIE-FP7, a research project funded by the European Commission to develop a unique integrated solid-state module that will constitute a breakthrough in professional and architectural lighting. Solid-state lighting (SSL) represents a new revolution in the lighting domain, comparable to the invention of the incandescent bulb in the 19th century. As is unanimously recognized, SSL devices such as semi-conductor-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are the light sources of the future.

GAAP Results ($M except per share data)             Q4 ‘13         Q4 ‘13         Revenues     $106.8    ...

Urban Barns Foods Inc. is pleased to announce that it has expanded its collaboration with McGill University researcher Dr. Mark Lefsrud, of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, to further develop an indoor plant growth system aimed at expanding locally grown food. With industrial support from Urban Barns, McGill University was recently awarded an NSERC Collaborative Research & Development (CRD) grant in the amount of $240,000 in order to continue the development of this important project.

Looking for the easiest way to upgrade to LED from fluorescent? Here is why the Philips Instant Fit T8 LED lamps are the ideal solution.

 Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) is expanding its outdoor lighting portfolio with the new XSP Series Area LED luminaire and the XSPW™ Wall Pack LED luminaire, which cut energy consumption by 65 percent* and nearly eliminate maintenance costs to easily replace the millions of outdated HID luminaires currently installed in North America. 

The first generation Range Rover Sport has been given a facelift - or a tail-lift - thanks to a revolutionary and robust new custom taillight. Specialist UK-based automotive light manufacturer Glohh has announced the launch of its innovative GL-3 Taillight, specifically designed for the popular first generation model of the Range Rover Sport.

Radiant Zemax, a leading provider of light and color test and measurement systems announces it will showcase its portfolio of testing solutions for LEDs, lighting, and luminaires in Booth #F77, Hall 9, at Light + Building. The exhibition is the world’s biggest trade fair for lighting and building services technology, taking place March 30 – April 4, 2014 in the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Center in Frankfurt, Germany.

Affected by the global economic downturn, there has been rising number of city bankruptcies. In turn, city management are increasingly valuing sustainable development. Outdoor lighting construction and maintenance costs have gradually increased over the years in city public lighting expenditures. City managers are creating suitable living environment that uses low investment and maintenance costs and can be met on a limited budget. 

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) of Taiwan announced recently a total of eight cross straight business cooperation conferences will be held this year, including automotive, LED, panel, and telecommunications. The conferences will begin in 2Q14, according to Economic Daily News.

On Feb.,11, 2014, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)  issued a Final Written Decision in inter partes review (“IPR”) proceeding IPR2012-000005. The USPTO held that all claims of United States Patent No. 6,653,215 (the “’215 Patent”) are not patentable, and ordered them cancelled. The USPTO also denied Emcore Corporation’s Motion to Amend Claims. A copy of the Final Written Decision is attached below.

Leyard anounced the company will be temporary suspended from the stockmarket starting Feb. 20 due to restructuring.

Rubicon Technology, a leading provider of sapphire substrates and products to the LED, semiconductor, and optical industries, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2013.

Philips, the world’s leader in lighting is proud to support the announcement of the Di (ESMA) on its indoor lighting standard, because moving to the digital technologies in lighting will positively impact people’s lives. Named last week as one of the Top 50 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes Magazines, Philips believes that adopting more energy efficient lighting solutions such as LED technology will not only help save the environment, it will also allow people to create inspiring environments that can improve lives.

Bridgelux, announced semiconductor industry veteran Dr. Cem Basceri has joined its Executive Staff. Basceri will serve as CTO and oversee the technology and product development programs at Bridgelux.