It’s reported that the global LED output is expected to grow by only 5 percent next year, given the impact of the global economic downturn. While Taiwan, which accounts for 20 percent of the world’s LED output, is projected to fare slightly better with a 7 percent increase, according to an analyst with the Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center (IEK) under the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).

Recently, Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSG), announced that it has designed, developed and produced an integrated lighting system for the 2009 Time Square New Year's Eve Ball. The Ball, which boasts a system comprised of 672 LED modules, will be installed on November 26 in Times Square, New York, where it will continue to remain year round.

According to an industry executive at the Electronica 2008 exhibition, the integration of intelligence with LED technology will lead to a greater significant energy savings for many lighting applications.

Recently, Tokyo Electron Device Ltd has launched an RGB LED control driver - the TE7118PF, for LED control applications such as LCD backlights, indoor LED lightings, and LED illumination lights. The TE7118PF can handle high voltages and has a constant-current output in the range 5mA to 30mA which can be configured via an external resistor.

It’s reported that Taiwan’s DRAM chipmakers and backlight-module makers had announced aggressive investments in LED epitaxy-wafer production last year in anticipation of bright market future, touting to add a total of 100 metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) machines to the Taiwan industry. However, their optimism has been dampened by the global economic crisis, which has hamstrung consumer spending of various sectors including high-tech products like LED, DRAM and LCD TVs.

Recently, Seoul Semiconductor releases the ultra bright Z-Power P7 LED Series, and claims to deliver the world’s highest brightness of 900 lumens at 10 W to replace the conventional bulbs.

Recently, the electric utility completed replacing the sign's old neon illumination with LED lights that consume nearly 90 percent less energy, last longer, and require less maintenance. Visible to drivers along Interstate 88, the old signage previously used 2,618-watt neon lights, but now generate the same brightness using 323-watt LEDs. Because LEDs also last longer than neon lights and need to be replaced less frequently, ComEd expects to save another 20 percent in annual maintenance costs.

It’s reported that Boston's first official skyscraper, the Marriott Custom House Tower has been restored to its fully-illuminated state using LED fixtures that consume just one third the energy of the previous sources.  

It’s reported that Cree inc. announces that the University of Notre Dame is joining the LED University program, an international community of universities working to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient LEDs across their campuses.

The structure of modern automobile lamps is becoming more and more complicated, at the same time the function is being improved gradually. The development of automobile lamps has experienced four stages. The first generation of automotive light source is fuels (candles, coal oil or acetylene). These fuels burn to emit lights. Fuels can only satisfy the requirement of early stage automobile lamps due to its low luminous efficiency, weak light intensity, unstable performance, complex operation and etc. shortcomings.

Recently, ON Semiconductor, a leading global supplier of high-performance, energy-efficient silicon solutions, has expanded its line of constant-current, LDD(TM) products acquired from Catalyst Semiconductor, including two new high-brightness RGB LED pixel drivers - the CAT4103 and CAT4109.

Recently, Microsemi Corporation announced the first public demonstration of its breakthrough color management solution for RGB LED backlighting of LCD displays, at Electronica 2008, Hall A4.525, in Munich.

It’s reported that Avago Technologies announced the addition of new 3-Watt high power Cool-White (ASMT-Mx20) and Warm-White (ASMT-Mx22) low-profile LEDs to its Moonstone(TM) family.

Recently, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is launching two new MultiLEDs for different LED video displays, which are available in black packaging for higher contrast and in white for higher brightness.

Recently, Leica has released a new inverted routine microscope that features LED illumination of the target. Brilliant optics and optimum illumination are the key to achieving the best possible results in microscopy.

It’s reported that Lime Energy and Harrah's Rincon Resort and Casino, Valley Center, CA, have completed an energy efficiency retrofit project that produces significant benefits for the resort and the environment. The project includes new LED technology in elevators, recessed downlights and outdoor signage.

Now, LEDs, illuminate the traffic lights and cell-phone buttons, are finding their way into the home. Their residential uses are limited as yet, but look for big advances in the next few years, those in the industry say. Terry McGowan, a Cleveland Heights, Ohio, lighting consultant and director of engineering for the American Lighting Association, said lighting is undergoing a revolution, much like what happened to electronics when tubes gave way to solid-state components. We're right on the edge of seeing LEDs show up in the living room.

Recently, Optek Technology will bring many years of experience in the areas of LED lighting and assemblies to join Osram's "LED Light For You" (LLYF) network for optical, thermal and electronic solution categories as partner.

Recently, GlacialTech Inc. announces the availability of T8 LED light tubes. It’s disclosed that the LED T8 tubes come in ten models which range in brightness according to the number of LED’s present over the length of the tube. The three sizes of tube vary in length from 580mm to 1198mm to the longest which stands at 1498mm.

It’s reported that the use of LED backlights in LCD TVs will start to grow rapidly from 2009 as TV makers introduce slimmer models.

It’s reported that there is an article “2008 Tour of Homes” demonstration of LED residential downlights and undercabinet lights, shows an overview of project results including significant energy savings, improved illuminance uniformity and positive user feedback.

Recently, RiTdisplay Corp., a reinvested company of Taiwan’s larges-sized disc maker RiTek Corp., has received orders for 35 million units of passive matrix organic light emitting diodes (PMOLEDs), with 30 million units to be delivered this year, making it the world’s No. 1 supplier of this product presently.  

APEC 2009 will be on Feb. 15 ~ 19, 2009 in Washington DC. 

It’s reported that Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. announce that it will provide its high-efficiency EvoLucia(TM) LED light engines to Precision-Lighting for use in their TMD Series flood light. The $2 million agreement calls for Sunovia to deliver 20,000 light engines to Precision, who will integrate them into a completed luminaire.  

Macroblock will showcase its technology breakthroughs at Electronica 2008

With the diverse applications of LED, the emerging SSL market also demands for higher luminous flux and efficacy of LED. Edison Opto, a Taiwan based high power LED packaging manufacture, has introduced Edixeon® ARC series, a production-ready,100lm packaged light source to its high power LED Edixeon® family. Driven at 350mA, Edixeon® ARC series is the first of its kind to truly achieve luminous efficacy over 100lm/W at cool white LED (CCT: 5,000K~10,000K).

Recently, ilumisys, Inc., developer and producer of next-generation solid-state lighting technology, announced that LED Lighting Inc. is becoming a reseller of ilumisys lighting.  

Recently, AIXTRON AG, a leading provider of deposition equipment to the semiconductor industry, announced the company’s financial results for the first nine months of 2008.

It’s reported that Global Lighting Technologies Inc, a Taiwan’s company, showcased an edge type LED backlight unit at FPD International 2008. The Edge-type LED Backlight with light sources located at the bottom sides of the panels that can reduces the size and thickness of large LCD TVs

It’s reported that the Pineland Farms campus in New Gloucester, Maine installed over 200 street lighting fixtures retrofitted with Osram Sylvania LEDs. This first significant installation of Osram’s new fixtures is estimated to save the college $30,000/year in energy costs.