The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science published the Fiscal Year 2017 Phase I, Release 2 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on November 28, 2016, for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. Under DE-FOA-0001619, whose complete listing of technical topics was released on October 31, DOE seeks applicants for grants directed toward FY17 Phase I, Release 2 projects. Topics for this funding opportunity can be found at //science.energy.gov/sbir/funding-opportunities and include LED and OLED lighting (see topic 10b).

Facing a severe operation crisis Korean conglomerate Samsung Electronic is considering to take the advice of hedge fund management firm Elliott Management Corporation to spin-off into two independent legal entities, The Seoul Economic Daily cited sources familiar with the matter.

China’s LED lighting market value will surpass RMB 500 billion (US $72.45 billion) by 2016, said Ling Wu, the Secretary General of China’s International Solid State Alliance (ISA).

Surging investments made by Chinese firms in EU high-tech industries is fueling conflict between Beijing, Berlin and Brussels, reported The Politico.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s abrupt demonization policies launched on Nov. 8, 2016 and its ripple effect has left a dent for LED manufacturers relying heavily on cash transactions, reported The Hindu.

Technavio analysts forecast the global automotive adaptive front lighting system market to grow at a CAGR of almost 13% during the forecast period, according to their latest report.

How many times has the lighting industry come together to discuss, criticize even try to find a solution for the poor quality, non-compliant products entering the UK market un-checked, creating confusion and unfair competition?

The II-VI Infrared Division of II-VI Incorporated, a company specializing in laser optics, announced that Dr. Ahmad Magad, Group Managing Director of the II-VI Infrared Optics Manufacturing Operations in Asia, was awarded the 2016 Walter L. Hurd Executive Medal by the Asia Pacific Quality Organization (APQO). Dr. Ahmad Magad will receive the award on Nov. 21, 2016 at the 22nd Asia Pacific Quality Conference in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Aixtron and Grand Chip Investment defy CFIUS objections to cancel the deal over U.S. national security concerns, and are appealing to U.S. President Barack Obama to approve the case in the next 15-days. The German Economic Ministry halted the acquisition business transaction, shortly after U.S. government representatives presented evidence suggesting Aixtron’s might pose a national security threat, which a Wall Street Journal reported mainly involves GaN epiwafer growing technology, a material that could be made to use improve military equipment such as radar.

Even though the decorative lighting industry performance was average in 2016, the industry remained upbeat about its market outlook next year, according to statistics compiled by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

New technology revolutions and industry evolutions are creating opportunities, developments in China and internationally are undergoing metamorphosis that are reshaping industry developments, said Jianlin Cao, a former Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

Nichia explained the legal course of actions it took throughout 2016 were not aimed at particular manufacturers, but was part of their general intellectual property protection policy.

Taiwanese LED chip manufacturers that successfully transitioned from blue LEDs to red LEDs have set new revenue records from their budding AlInGaN LED business.

The slowdown in LED backlight market including smartphone displays continued to trend on into 2016 that even top player in the industry Nichia is looking beyond this particular market sector in its 2017 roadmap.

The Connected Lighting Alliance (TCLA), the primary advocate of wireless lighting connectivity, announced that is has accomplished its goal of converging the lighting industry in support of the use of open protocols for wireless lighting solutions.

Japanese manufacturers in the Tohoku region went about business as usual, despite a 7.4 magnitude quake at a depth of 10 kilometers that struck off the shores of Fukushima earlier this morning, reported TechNews.

Growing number of Chinese smartphone makers are raising investments in OLED panels, including BOE Technology Group and six other major local players have constructed new factories and invested in total more than 2 trillion Japanese Yen (US $9 billion), reported Nikkei Asian Review.

Xiaolan, a small town with a population of 157,000 residents located in Guangdong Province in Southern China has seen its LED industry market value balloon in a short span of 8-years, reported Zhongshan Daily.

Taiwanese IC driver manufacturer Macroblock has successfully developed LED drivers for small pitch displays, and is eyeing driver solutions for an innovative display technology next year, reported China Post.

NIPSCO announced plans to convert existing street lights to LED)technology through its LED Street Light Program. NIPSCO-owned street lights will be changed at no additional cost to participating communities. This program is the first of its kind in Indiana.

Latest developments in Germany this week are making a Chinese investor takeover of Osram, and the outlook of the approval of IDG Capital consortium’s acquisition of LEDVANCE appear rather dim. Germany’s biggest labor union has become one of the latest advocates against a Chinese merger of Osram, as it seeks to keep factory jobs and others in the country.

Since early November, many Chinese carton factories began to reject new orders or restrict orders. The situation has been ongoing till now, with factories in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai areas responded the most. As many as 18 local large and medium-sized carton factories issued emergent notices of the rise in price on the single day of November 12. Paper suddenly became in short supply. Carton factories couldn’t buy base paper even with cash in hand, causing a chain reaction of the entire manufacture industry.

Exiting from cut-throat price competitions in the blue LED lighting segment, LED epitaxial wafer and chip manufacturer Arima Optoelectronics (Arima) has halted manufacturing of blue LED chips altogether and shifted to AlGaInP production, reported DIGITIMES.

The LED market’s downturn resulted in net losses for certain manufacturers, such as Taiwanese LED die manufacturer Genesis Photonics Inc., leading to rumors that it is on the brink of a shutdown, reported Apple Daily.

The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) and China Solid State Lighting Alliance (CSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership, reported Novus Lighting.

On Oct.19, 2016 and Oct. 28, 2016, Nichia  filed a request for three preliminary injunctions in Germany at the Düsseldorf District Court against Everlight Electronics (“Everlight”), alleging that the white LED products “334-15/X1C5-1QSA”, „334-15/T2C2-1TVB“ and „XI3535-KT577J1-03201-000P“ manufactured by Everlight and distributed in Germany infringe Nichia's YAG patent EP 936 682 (DE 697 02 929).

Lighting Science announced a collaboration agreement with iHome, a division of consumer electronics manufacturer SDI Technologies. Under the terms of the two-year agreement, the two technology leaders will explore the incorporation of Lighting Science’s patented spectrum control technology into iHome’s Zenergy product line. The agreement also includes co-marketing provisions, including the endorsement of nationally-renowned sleep expert Dr. Michael J. Breus, who currently serves as a member of Lighting Science’s Scientific Advisory Board.

The City Energy Project, a joint effort of the Institute for Market Transformation and Natural Resources Defense Council, announced the addition of ten communities that have committed to reducing energy waste in buildings.

German’s largest labor union IG Metall announced it will prevent any attempts made by Chinese investors to acquire lighting giant Osram, indicating the escalating backlash against Chinese involvement in the nation’s high-tech sector, reported Financial Times and other media last week.

Cree has filed a complaint against E. Mishan & Sons, Inc. (“Emson”) with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts for infringement of Cree’s patented LED technology in Emson’s flashlights, such as the Bell + Howell Taclight.