Instrument Systems, a leading global manufacturer of LED Test & Measurement systems has recently developed its ISP 1000 Integrating Sphere which has been specially designed with a diameter of one meter for precise measurement of the total radiant power and luminous flux of lamps. It is particularly suitable for larger and more powerful LED modules with applications in solid-state lighting.

These wine-glass-shaped stuffs designed by Guido Ooms can light too, with the twenty high intensity LEDs that should last a good 10 years. The 7.5″×2.7″size is exactly that of a standard wine glass, which is about 3″ longer than a normal bulb. For as much as $120, the sophisticated drunk can take this novelty light bulb home and add a touch of class to their home bar.

AGFA-Gevaert NV, IMEC of Belgium, and Holst Centre, Philips Research and TNO of the Netherlands have prototyped a flexible OLED lighting panel in which highly-conductive transparent resin electrodes are used in place of ITO (indium tin oxide).  

Infineon Technologies AG has recently released a low-cost LED driver IC which offers thermal protection and high output current accuracy for high-power LEDs in general lighting applications.

Arrow Electronics and Fraen have recently signed an agreement which will enable Arrow to extend its LED lighting range in the UK and Northern Europe. As a leading optic provider, Fraen is specialized in engineering and designing optical components for individual LEDs. The leading-edge products provided by Fraen include: high-efficiency TIR and reflector solutions; software-optimized aspheric profile; multiple beam angles; optimized lens holders; and a complete range of lenses and reflectors.

Future Lighting Solutions and Khatod Optoelectronic has announced yesterday a distribution agreement that would make a broad line of Khatod’s secondary optics for power LEDs available in all major markets all over the world, with the portfolio of products including 190 single, double, triple and quad optics as well as color-mixing optical systems with multiple beam angles and configurations, featuring the industry’s largest selection of optics for LUXEON Rebel LEDs.

Everlight signed a non-exclusive cross-license agreement with OSRAM GmbH (“OSRAM”), providing the companies (including wholly-owned affiliates) with access in certain areas to each other’s patented LED technology.

Endicott Research Group (ERG), Inc., has created a European office, naming Roland Knuchel as European Sales Manager. ERG, based in Endicott, NY, is the leading manufacturer of DC-AC inverters and LED Drivers for powering LCD backlights.

A video of sheep equipped with LED lights released by Samsung last week to promote its new LED TV range has attracted more than 2 million viewers on YouTube in less than one week.

IST Lighting has added three new partners to its rapidly expanding strategic partner network to distribute its iDrive™ and other lighting products across mainland Europe and Hong Kong of China amongst other areas in the world.

It’s reported that Vienna, the capital of Austria installed LED streetlights from LEDworx. LEDworx®, 2 LED-Streetlights Hawk Eye [3.0] were installed at Kühnplatz in 1040 Vienna. The spirit of innovation and the commitment to energy efficiency and LED-Technology of all parties concerned enabled this first test installation. Further installations will follow in 2009.

GE Lighting won the Lighting Design Awards for its Vio high power white LEDs in the Light Sources and Controls category, sponsored by Ex-Or. GE Lighting’s Vio high power white LEDs won the award for what judges described as a "major advance in color stability".

Aqualite Co. Ltd., a company based in Wuhan, China, has purchased three Close Coupled Showerhead (CCS) CRIUS MOCVD systems from AIXTRON AG, worldwide leading provider of deposition equipment to the semiconductor industry. It’s disclosed that the three CCS CRIUS systems were delivered in the 31x2 inch wafer configuration in the third and fourth quarter of 2008. Aqualite intends to utilize these reactors for the development and production of blue, green and white LED chips.

LED lamps were compared to other technologies in a recent issue of National Geographic magazine, and LED lighting was also discussed in the House of Commons, the UK’s legislative chamber, on March 5 as part of a debate on energy and climate change. Joan Ruddock, Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, was asked if there had been discussions between her department and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the effect on electricity consumption and CO2 emissions of the installation and use of LED lighting.

Recently, Advanced LEDs Ltd of UK announced that it has completed two LED projects in Dubai. The projects include the Dubai Mall, with more than 1,200 stores, and the 360m-high Burj Dubai Lake Tower Hotel next door.

In cooperation with the Meyer Werft Lighting Group, OSRAM has developed a highly efficient lighting system specially designed for the ship. Thanks to their excellent light quality and efficiency, they are the first choice for effect lighting on board the new luxury cruise ship, Celebrity Solstice, owned by US shipping company Celebrity Cruises. Ships of this class are built by Meyer Werft. In the casino, the disco, and even the dining area, along with many other places, OSRAM’s LED modules in its Linearlight range produce striking effects.

Group III-nitride materials have been widely used for visible and ultraviolet LEDs and blue, violet laser diodes in the past decade. Most of these optoelectronic devices are typically fabricated on the conventional polar (0001) c-plane oriented substrate materials. Devices grown on the polar substrate orientation suffer undesirable spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization resulting in significant band bending in the quantum well. This reduces radiative recombination efficiency and lowers device performance.

Avolux Europe of Romania has designed and manufactured a new LED luminaire - Nordica 3 architectural flood light IP 67. The company says it is ideal for up lighting or down lighting applications, also suitable for lighting facades, buildings, bridges and architectural.

Two French institutions Francais du Design and Equip’Hotel Paris honored Philips MASTER LED, a solid-state light bulb identical in form factor to a conventional light bulb for its innovative design and sustainability. Philips notes its MASTER LED is the first LUXEON Rebel based replacement bulb that delivers on the promise of high efficiency, uncompromised quality light, and long-life, in a package that makes it simple for people to use and feel good about using.

It’s reported that Dialight, the industry LED lighting specialist, appointed Ian Duffy as Regional Manager, Europe for Obstruction and Hazardous Location Lighting. That means Ian joins from Cooper Crouse-Hinds and brings with him 20 years’ experience in hazardous area lighting to Dialight in Europe.

Philips Lighting now offers a 3-year warranty on all its LED-based luminaires. LEDs become increasingly popular for white light applications as well as for dynamic color displays, Philips, as the leading player in the fast-growing LED lighting market, product integrity is essential. The introduction of this guarantee underpins Philips Lighting’s commitment to provide high quality LED solutions with outstanding performance and reliability customers can trust.

In addition to the LED Lighting Module “Zenigata“, Sharp plans to expand its LED Line-up with white and RGB high brightness chip LEDs. It consists of 21 different types of white light LEDs and 11 different types of monochrome and RGB LEDs. The company notes they offer a high light performance of up to 90 lumen per watt.

UK lighting manufacturer LiteLED has released the SL Series linear LED luminaire, a strip light that is smaller, longer lasting and provides superior task efficiency compared to the neon or fluorescent lamps. LiteLED says the SL Series was designed to address the specific demands of under-cabinet, cove and refrigeration lighting applications.

Philips announced that it has reached an agreement to buy Italy-based Ilti Luce Srl, one of the leading LED design companies in Europe for architectural indoor lighting. Ilti Luce will become part of the Professional Luminaires business within the Philips Lighting sector.

Royal Philips Electronics let the Titan Crane in Clydebank, Scotland more striking visual display at night. This great icon to the River Clyde’s shipbuilding heritage has been fittingly restored after a £3m redevelopment plan to transform it into a unique exhibition and visitor center. The two-year restoration project was carried out by urban regeneration company, Clydebank Re-built, whose vision also included a spectacular lighting design to show off this historic landmark to full effect.

NXP Semiconductors, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, has launched the world’s first integrated dimmable mains LED driver - the SSL2101, and has demonstrated it on the NXP booth at the Strategies in Light Conference(SIL) form February 18 – 20 at Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California, USA.

Royal Philips Electronics announces that it will launch a new solar-powered reading light in autumn 2009. The company says the LED light enables people to both read and write after dark. It’s disclosed that Philips’s “My Reading Light” was developed specifically for the education sector in Africa and will allow school children to continue with their homework after sunset.

Pacer International Ltd. announces the opening of a new sales office based in Cork, Ireland, continuing the company’s ongoing expansion.

On January 2, state-of-the-art lighting technology featuring 40,000 LEDs will illuminate the 5,100 sq-m glass facade of the Ars Electronica Center in Linz, Austria, to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, New Views of Humankind. This innovative facade illumination was planned and installed by Multivision, a Marchtrenk-based firm founded in 2002.

Macroblock, as a LED driver IC manufacturer will continue to showcase its technology breakthroughs realized in the new products for LED display and LED lighting fields at Macroblock booth A5.532 at Electronica 2008 from 11th to 14th November in Munich, Germany.