Recently, Universal Display Corporation, an innovator behind today's and tomorrow's displays and lighting through its UniversalPHOLED(TM) phosphorescent OLED technology, announced that the company's research advances in white OLED lighting performance was honored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) during the DOE's Annual Solid-State Lighting Workshop. With the support of the DOE, Universal Display has been working on developing highly-efficient white OLEDs for use in myriad lighting applications.

Luminus Devices, Inc. has introduced its new white PhlatLight® LEDs - the SST-90 and the SST-90. The SST-90 white PhlatLight® LED, produced in a surface-mount package, delivers 100 lm/W at 6500 K and up to 2.25 kilolumens in total. Launched in parallel, the CST-90 features standard mounting, also delivers 100 lm/W efficacy, and reaches a maximum output of 2.75 kilolumens. Two new PhlatLight LEDs are expected to enter volume production in the second quarter of the year.

Cree, Inc. announces it will work with both the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Propulsion Directorate and high-power module pioneer Powerex, Inc., to develop a demonstration dual switch 1200-volt, 100-amp power module featuring all-SiC semiconductors and capable of operating at junction temperatures up to 200 degrees C. The combination of advanced SiC devices and innovative package design allows the module to operate at temperatures beyond those achievable with a silicon IGBT-based module.

Avago Technologies, a leading supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications, has introduced a 1-Watt, miniature LED for SSL applications. The company says its features include robust package design, wide viewing angle, and extended operating life.

National Semiconductor has introduced a TRIAC dimmable LED driver - the LM3445. The company says the constant-current controller enables uniform dimming of high brightness LEDs, without flicker.

Ruud Lighting has laid off about 50 of its nearly 600 employees. Company President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Ruud says the collapse of the construction industry forced the actions. He says the company is restructuring and the layoffs are considered permanent. The privately owned Ruud Lighting, 9201 Highway 20, makes lighting fixtures for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential settings. The dearth of construction work during the recession has sapped sales, Ruud says.

Recently, the Clinton Foundation has announced the Outdoor Lighting Program of the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) is working with Los Angeles on the largest LED street lighting retrofit project over the next five years. In all, 140,000 LED streetlight fixtures will be installed throughout the city. That not only will improve L.A.'s lighting quality and reduce its electricity use, but also will help the city to save money in the process.

ROAL Electronics announces its TROPO Series is a family of LED drivers designed specifically for powering LEDs in new and retrofit lighting applications. These drivers operate directly from the AC line and provide an isolated, low voltage constant current DC output. Wide range (10%-100%) dimming is possible with standard incandescent dimmers (triac based, standard phase – leading edge) and electronic low voltage dimmers (reverse phase – trailing edge).

PerkinElmer Inc., announces that it will showcase its latest range of LED solutions at Strategies in Light 2009 (SIL) from February 18-20 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California, USA.

TT electronics OPTEK Technology has developed a family of ultraviolet LEDs in the UV-A spectrum. The OUE8A Series offer an energy-efficient hermetic TO-46 metal can packaged UV LED source providing a uniform optical light pattern, high current pulse capability, ESD protection and a long operating lifespan.

Elation Professional has introduced its Design Panel 72IP MKII outdoor LED color. A high-output DMX-compatible RGB-mixing LED panel, the Design Panel 72IP MKII is rated at IP 65, allowing it to withstand rain and dust, making it ideal for adding changing colors to building exteriors, landscaping, outdoor concerts, or any application subject to Mother Nature’s whims.

Arrow Electronics, Inc. of Melville, New York USA, and Texas Instruments (TI) announce a new series of Analog eLab videocasts on solid-state lighting (SSL). Partnering with Cree, Inc., Arrow and TI will present six new videocasts that share expertise on developing driver solutions for several LED applications.

Carmanah, a maker of solar powered LED lighting based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada announces that it has sold its Road Signs business to Temple Inc. of Decatur, Alabama. Two companies have signed the definitive agreement.

Veeco Instruments has to restructure its MOCVD systems business, as the downturn continues to take its toll on the wider semiconductor industry. At Veeco Q4 earnings call, John Peeler, CEO of the company, has announced its MOCVD systems operation in New Jersey would be hit by the latest move. He said their MOCVD systems business would go to a fully outsourced model by the end of the year. He also outlined a number of wider measures to cut costs, including a 26% reduction in workforce. Veeco will employ less than 1000 employees by the end of 2009.

Elma Electronic, a leading designer and manufacturer of rotary components and electronic packaging products, offers LEDs in customizable configurations with custom brightness options.

Premier Farnell's Newark now stocks Bridgelux's in Premier Farnell's Newark now stocks Bridgelux's innovative LED Array products, developed specially to provide lamp and luminaire manufacturers with a solution for simplified system level integration.

The Orvis Outlet Store, a globally-known retailer of outdoor lifestyle products, has become a showcase for one of Efficiency Vermont's latest energy-conservation experiments: LED lamps for retail stores. Orvis personnel replaced about 300 lamps in the outlet store last summer. According to the company, the store has used 8,400 fewer kilowatt hours a month, which has saved almost $900 a month in electricity. The LED lights are cooler than incandescent lights so the store also saved on air-conditioning costs.

Murata Power Solutions has introduced its low-power, high brightness, three-and-a-half digit, DMS-20PC digital panel voltmeters. The company announces that they are now available with 'brilliant blue' or 'pure green' LED colors in addition to the current 'low-power red'. The DMS-20PC series provides a sub-miniature, low-cost solution in applications such as battery chargers, power amplifiers, rack-mounted power and high-end consumer electronics.

Recently, Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO) announced that LG Innotek Co., Inc. of Korea, has ordered an additional four TurboDisc® K465™ gallium nitride (GaN) Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) Systems for HB-LED production. The orders were received in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Luminus Devices announced that BenQ’s new GP1 versatile and lightweight pocket projector is powered by the high-brightness PhlatLight® LED PT-39 chipset. The company says its PhlatLight LEDs offer high levels of brightness and performance not available today in pocket projectors using traditional lamp technologies, making the GP1 an ideal mobile entertainment companion for instant projection anywhere.

A petition filed recently with the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) seeks to require LEDs be used in all new street and area lights to save money and energy. It’s said to the requirement would save NorthWestern Energy customers between $800,000 and $2.5 million a year.

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed and demonstrated a new polarization-matched LED. The new type of LED, developed in collaboration with Samsung Electro-Mechanics, exhibits an 18% increase in light output and a 22% increase in wall-plug efficiency, which essentially measures the amount of electricity the LED converts into light.

Journée Lighting Inc of California, USA announces that its Lotus LED track system is selected by the US National Park Service to illuminate the new LEED Platinum Visitor Center at the Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeast California. As the primary light source for the 1500 square foot exhibit, 50 Lotus LED luminaires illuminate interactive displays, kiosks, historic photos and much more.

Dialight has introduced a new ETL-recognized version of its ultra high brightness Powerwhite® LV Linear Modules. The company says it is the first complete LED solution product of its type on the market and it will enable the rapid development of many LED lighting applications including existing fixture formats and entirely new product designs.

It’s reported that Daktronics Inc will design, manufacture and install full-color LED display technology throughout Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers.

Renaissance Lighting has introduced the world’s most efficient, most powerful architectural grade RGB LED downlights with its Rhapsody Color Management System. The company says its Rhapsody Color Management system is a unique technology for the creation of intelligent, state-of-the-art lighting effects for these new downlight fixtures.

It’s reported that Jameco Electronics has purchased a significant quantity of excess inventory of Lite-On brand LEDs. The inventory includes packaged LEDs of many varieties and LED-based numeric displays. It is reportedly being sold at a significant discount.

Bivar, a leading provider of optoelectronics and assembly hardware, has launched the ORCA series of Super Flux LEDs. The company says its new ORCA product family is an expansion of its high power LEDs designed for use on standard printed circuit boards (PCBs) for LED indication. The new ORCA series replaces the Bivar MAKO product family and enhances its capabilities with greater luminous intensity, higher power efficiency and additional lens configurations while maintaining its industry standard 7.6 mm square package form factor.

Cooper Lighting, a division of Cooper Industries, Ltd., announces that its Halo® LED recessed downlight meets stringent ENERGY STAR® requirements for solid state lighting (SSL) luminaries. Eligibility Criteria – Version 1.0 for Category A – Recessed Downlights. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping consumers and organizations save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.

San Francisco LED street lighting demonstration is one of DOE Gateway demonstrations that showcase high-performance LED products for general illumination. This Gateway report provides an overview of project results including lighting performance, cost effectiveness, and potential energy savings.