This is the year of the flip chip, according to Dr. Guoqing Tang, Samsung LED China General Manager and Sr. Vice President who presented at LEDforum 2014 at Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition on June 11. 

Korean manufacturer Baewoon Electronics and Chinese LED manufacturer Foshan Nationstar Optoelectronics have signed a LED lighting Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), according to a recent report by Korean media AJU Business Daily. 

Leaked photos of Apple’s iPad Air 2 have spread across the Internet recently, with latest product developments pointing towards the use of liquid metal and sapphire substrate material, according to Chinese-language media Sanlih E-Television.

Effective June 13, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has suspended the L Prize PAR38 Competition, and no entries will be accepted at this time.

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in South Korea have succeeded in developing the world’s first technology to control specific protein functions in living cells by using lights, which may be useful in future cancer cell research.

Acuity Brands continues to expand its extensive portfolio of residential and light commercial LED lighting solutions with the new LED Closet Light from Lithonia Lighting®. The LED Closet Light presents a new spin on a traditional fixture featuring advanced LED technology for a stylish and efficient lighting solution.

The growing smart home industry and intensifying competition has created new market situations, according to a Chinese language media CBN.com report. Apple has released its first smart home management App HomeKit at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in early June this year. The company is developing partnerships with numerous top lighting manufacturers on the smart home project.

Taiwan’s LED Lighting Industry Alliance (TLLIA) has been the first association in the country with members from traditional lighting and LED industry, according to a CNA report. Members from both industries will initiate and launch a luminaire database search engine. The alliance will also promote MIT labeled Taiwanese LED lighting modules to enter the international lighting market.

Known as the largest lighting exhibition in Asia, Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) 2014 did not fail to disappoint, boosting a whopping 2,911 exhibitors from 25 different countries and regions presenting innovations in decorative lighting, technical lighting, lighting accessories, components, and LED technology. 

The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently evaluated a newly constructed building at Siena College—Rosetti Hall, a 25,000 square foot, 3-story, contemporary brick building that includes classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded funding to change the lighting specification from the originally specified conventional fluorescent lighting to all light emitting diodes (LEDs), designed by Engineered Solutions of Clifton Park, N.Y., and to have the project evaluated as a DELTA demonstration project by LRC. The 20-page full color, illustrated report, “LED Lighting in a Campus Building” detailing the project evaluation and findings, is available for free download from the LRC website.

Nippon Electric Glass Co. (NEG), reached an agreement with the Saint-Gobain Group on launching a joint venture to develop, manufacture and sell glass substrate to IEL (Internal Extraction Layer) for organic light emitting diode (OLED) lighting. 

In a randomized poll, over 200 business owners and managers were asked: "Do you believe there is sufficient standardization in the LED bulb industry (Energy Star, etc)?" In reply to the Leapfrog Lightingpoll, 31.5% of business owners and managers were unsure if there is "sufficient standardization in the LED bulb industry", and another 20.3% believe there were insufficient standards.

The rising trend of smaller high power individual components is becoming increasingly obvious. In theory, demands for smaller components to achieve higher optical density, high power, and good heat dissipation are conflicting. Package technology advancements try to juggle these factors in reality. Honglitronic General Manager Lei Lining believes LED flip chips are the solution to the contradicting properties.

Everlight Chairman Robert Yeh resigned from the role as Epistar Vice Chairman which is immediately to take effect, according to an Epistar announcement made on June 13, 2014.

Taiwan’s LED Lighting Industry Alliance (TLLIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote international standards with Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer TCL at The 23rd International Optoelectronics Exposition in Taipei, Taiwan, according to a CNA report. 

The Warrington Borough Council and Liverpool City in UK have announced plans of upgrading current streetlights to LEDs respectively, according to various UK media reports.

In the new generation of the CLS-Class, Mercedes-Benz is using the new technology of MULTIBEAM LED headlamps for the first time. High-resolution precision LED modules, each with 24 individually controlled high-performance LEDs, automatically illuminate the road with a hitherto unsurpassed, precision-controlled distribution of exceptionally bright light – without dazzling other road users. A camera positioned behind the windscreen delivers the information with which four control units the ideal light pattern 100 times per second. The anticipatory camera-based active light function on bends and the new navigation-based light function for roundabouts are also unique. 

Prestigious American Chip-on-Board (COB) manufacturer Bridgelux mistly displayed COB product series under the spotlight at Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) 2014, that ran from June 9-12 in Guangzhou, China.

Taiwanese sapphire manufacturers Rigidtech Microelectronics (Rigidtech) and Aceplux Optotech have seen revenue more than double during May and June 2014, according to a CNYes.com report. The two companies benefited from soaring LED lighting demands that have led to rising Patterned Sapphire Substrate (PSS) revenue.

To achieve carbon emission reduction goals, China will be turning its focus to strengthening energy efficient and low carbon industries financial support and tax incentives, according to a recent report by Xinhua.com.

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the competitive selection of nine projects for solid-state lighting (SSL), in response to the SSL R&D funding opportunity announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0000973. The one- to two-year projects will focus on the areas of Core Technology Research, which involves the application of fundamental scientific concepts to SSL technology; and Product Development, which involves using the knowledge gained from basic or applied research to develop or improve commercially viable SSL materials, devices, or systems. 

At the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) 2014 this week, smart lighting solutions takes the show grounds again. Other interesting trends in outdoor, retail and commercial lighting can also be seen at the show as manufacturers aim to add value to lighting products. Many reports are coming out of China this week regarding to industry subsidies as the country plans to channel more financial resources into the area to meet carbon emission reduction targets. Apple’s sapphire applications also catch headlines this week, as GTAT appears to scale up sapphire production, and iWatch’s adoption of sapphire watch covers goes official. For more info please see below:

The advent of solid state lighting has launched the lighting industry into the developmental fast lane. As solid state lighting technology evolves and advances, many manufacturers are looking towards intellectualizing lighting systems to meet increasing market demands and secure a sustainable revenue model. 

What can manufacturers do when phosphor powder prices plunge? Should these manufacturers follow others lead and slash prices to keep market shares, or should they stand on the sidelines as spectators? How can manufacturers change their market strategies?

GT Advanced Technology might be adding more sapphire furnaces at Arizona plant for Apple, according to UBS Analyst Steven Chin.

When you look at today’s smartphones, or phablets and you see that the screens are getting bigger and bigger, do you realize that the display is what is taking up most of the power in the system?  

Bridgelux announced a major expansion of its China operations, significantly increasing its investment and capabilities in China. To better serve its rapidly growing customer base in China, Bridgelux has opened a major R&D center in Xiamen dedicated to supporting the development and manufacture of new solid state lighting products, including extensions to its best in class V Series Chip-on-Board (COB) product line.  In addition, Bridgelux will be opening an applications lab in Shanghai’s Hongqiao district to assist its China customers with the design and enhancement of lamps and fixtures that integrate Bridgelux’s highly regarded LED light source products.

This weekend Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting, kicked off a new initiative with KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) - a series of six football clinics held at Philips Community Light Centers across Brazil during this summer’s football tournament.

Sierra Wireless announced that Philips CityTouch has selected Sierra Wireless AirPrime® embedded wireless modules to provide connectivity for the new CityTouch LightWave remote lighting management system.

Although significant consolidation has already occurred across the LED value chain, Memoori Research remains of the opinion that further consolidation is required for the market to mature into a stable state. Achieving economies of scale, cost reductions, sustainable market share and access to innovative IP to meet rising output requirements, will all remain as drivers. This will further increase the likelihood of deal activity to 2018.