Chinese sapphire substrate manufacturer Biel Crystal, which has long kept a low profile, recently responded to market rumors about Lens Technology being a major smartphone screen supplier for Apple and Samsung, according to a Shenzhen Commercial report.

Chinese LED manufacturer Changelight announced plans of issuing 6.07 million stocks to raise a total of RMB 800 million (US $130.39 million) financing to expand production of InGaN LED EPI-wafers on Sept. 3, 2014.

The LED industry in Guangdong Province, China showed the most growth out of eight emerging industries in 2013, according to a Securities Times report.

Intel has jumped aboard the wearable device bandwagon with the launch of a luxury jeweled smart bracelet. "My Intelligent Communication Accessory," or known as MICA will be equipped with a curved sapphire glass display, as well as with semi-precious stones, pearls, and even wet snake skin. The company has not released the features or the pricing of the bracelet, but the launch date is expected to take place during the upcoming holiday season in 2014. For further details please see Intel’s press release below:

A research team from Osaka City University in Japan have succeeded in treating skin ulcers caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and LED lights, according to a Nikkei Technology report.

Bitter conflicts between NVC Lighting former CEO Wu Changjiang and current CEO Wang Donglei might have come to an end, but another battle front has begun in the Chinese LED industry, according to a report from Chinese-language Yangcheng Evening News Digital Media.

The importance of easy off-the-shelf availability, proven quality and validated technical ability grows every day for lighting parts like reflectors and lenses, LED drivers and LED coolers.

Imported copies of the Chamaeleon LED light have been removed from the Australian market following a successful prosecution by enLighten Australia, owners of the Chamaeleon LED light's Australian Innovation Patent. 

French lighting designer Henri Burszstyn will be releasing five new luminaire designs at the upcoming Maison & Objet fair in Paris, according to an AFP report.

HC Semitek announced Monday, the company received subsidiary from the Chinese government for its third phase LED EPI-wafer expansion project.

At the end of August 2014  the EU’s the Rapid Alert System for Non-food Dangerous Products (RAPEX) issued warnings for three LED products from China including an LED power supply.

Secretary of the United States Navy, Ray Mabus, was excited to reveal that he is helping the Navy save millions of dollars, more than 150 million dollars to be exact, and is saving 3 percent of fuel costs per year for fleets being converted over to LED lighting by Energy Focus.

Ledon’s limited edition wooden LED bulbs appear as opaque solid wooden globes incapable of emitting any light, which makes the transition into a warm glowing bulb all the more stunning.

Epistar and FOREPI stockholders have approved the proposed merger between the two companies today, according to a report by Cynes.com. FOREPI stocks will be swapped at a rate of 3.448 per Epistar share. 

​The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) announces the launch of ASC 137 Lighting Systems Committee. This committee has received approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Executive Standards Council as an Accredited Standards Committee (ASC). This approval is the culmination of a multi-month process and will allow the committee to write American National Standards within its scope.

Past Kickstarter ambient lighting projects were mainly focused on bringing colorful LED lights to TVs, and making home entertainment an immersive experience. Recently, a UK team has gotten even more personal by bringing DIY ambient lighting systems to the computer screen.

Valoya announces a 900mm LED tube light to complement its L-series product family for controlled environments. The product range now comprises tubes for 900mm, 1200mm and 1500mm installations with 600mm to follow later this fall.

Cree and Lextar’s investment agreement has caught the industry’s attention this week. Cree will become Lextar’s second largest shareholder after investing US $83 million to acquire 13% stake in the company. The U.S. manufacturer is most likely seeking a long-term economic LED chip supplier to retain a competitive edge in the market, according to LEDinside’s Research Director Roger Chu. 

DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Programs announced a solicitation making up to $4 billion in loan guarantees available for innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the U.S. that avoid, reduce, or sequester greenhouse gases. This solicitation represents the next step in DOE's commitment to support the deployment of innovative clean-energy technologies at commercial scale in the U.S.

The commercialization of OLED lighting continues to accelerate, with a growing list of companies announcing their intention to enter the market. Although traditional lighting companies are active, seeking to safeguard their position with regards to OLED lighting, there are many new entrants that want to challenge these incumbents and shift the dynamics of the industry. 

LED Roadway Lighting Ltd. (LRL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Conlon as Chief Executive Officer. The announcement completes the transition of the Company’s founder Charles Cartmill, who will retain his majority ownership stake in the company and his position on the Board of Directors. “With the appointment of Mr. Conlon as CEO and the recent appointment of Denis Lavoie as Company President, I feel confident that the business is in excellent hands and feel comfortable in stepping back to enjoy my retirement from the day-to-day operations.”

With the rise of the wearable smart devices, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) showcases many futuristic, wearable devices with interactive touch control functions at Touch Taiwan 2014 with the theme of "Smart Living, Keep in Touch". Such devices include a wearable and foldable AMOLED wrist band with interactive touch control and display functions.

Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission recently approved Epistar and FOREPI’s merger.

IKEA GreenTech, an IKEA Group venture capital company, announced today that it has invested in Design LED Products Ltd, a Scottish company with a unique technology for a whole new generation of lighting products using energy efficient “light tiles” – LEDs embedded into clear resins and films. The tiles are unique as they are extremely thin, flexible and low cost and can be seamlessly joined together in exciting new designs.

North American lighting leader OSRAM SYLVANIA has been recognized with a prestigious R&D 100 Award for the new OSRAM ITOS® PHASER® 3000, the industry’s first laser and LED-based white light module for microscopy, endoscopy and surgical head lamps that delivers the same brightness as 300W Xenon lamps with significantly higher efficacy and lamp life.

Digital Lumens today announced that Ace Hardware Corporation, the world’s largest hardware cooperative, has upgraded the lighting in areas of its 1,000,000 square foot Rocklin, Calif., Retail Support Center to the Digital Lumens Intelligent LED Lighting System. Since implementing the upgrade in October 2013, Ace Hardware saved an average of 81 percent  on its lighting-related energy use.

Ledionopto,a commercial lighting brand in Taiwan. The extensive marketing and development experience makes Ledionopto expanding the brand awareness in the commercial lighting market. The product line not only contain the illumination in shopping arcade, restaurant, and residential, also, it cross-cutting in special color-appearing lighting market this year. The new products which include “Ruby” Light, for fresh meat lighting application, bakery lighting” Aroma”, and “Snowhite” which can contract the color of white clothes and dressing.

At a press conference held in Taipei today, David Su, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lextar spoke about how the company sealed the US $83 million investment deal with leading U.S. LED manufacturer Cree.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall alert for Cree CXB Series LED high-bay indoor light fixtures over reported cases of broken glass lenses. Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Leading U.S. LED manufacturer Cree surprised the LED industry on Aug.26, 2014 with the announcement of an investment partnership totaling US $83 million to purchase 83 million Lextar shares at a price of NT$30 (US $1.00) per share. The company also stated the partnership included long-term LED chip supply agreement and royalty-bearing license agreements for certain Cree LED chips. Why has Cree decided to invest in Lextar now?