Russia’s Economy Minister Thursday announced that Russia plans to ban the production and sale of incandescent light bulb from Jan. 1, 2014, in a move designed to reduce energy consumption, according to an article on Reuters.

The Michigan Solid-State Lighting Association (MSSLA) today announced the official launch of its organization. MSSLA was established in a collaborative effort with Michigan-based corporations, universities, and state agencies engaged in manufacturing, research or development of solid-state lighting products.

The world’s largest solar powered footbridge was recently opened to the public in Brisbane’s Central Business District in Australia. The bridge, which has been described as looking like knitting needles, is not only one of the longest footbridges, but also features a sophisticated LED lighting scheme that is powered by the sun and can produce a number of different lighting effects.

Nextreme Thermal Solutions, a provider of microscale thermal and power management products for the electronics industry, announced that its OptoCooler HV14 has passed the 3000g shock test as defined in the MIL-STD 883E Method 2002 Mechanical Shock standard.

LEDs measured on the test bench can produce different photometric and color results in actual operation mounted on the PC board. Also measuring slight color and flux differences between discrete LEDs mounted in a module is not possible with typical LED measurement setups.

Cities and towns across the United States are considering ways to reduce outdoor lighting energy consumption, and much attention is being paid to the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).  The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute presented a new publication recently at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY detailing field test results for photovoltaic-powered LED luminaires installed at three public, outdoor sites in Sullivan County. 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company is leading the nation by providing rebate incentives to customers who install environmentally friendly LED streetlights. Leotek’s SLN Outdoor Luminaire has been selected as eligible for participation after demonstrating qualifying capabilities in extensive research studies and testing.

One of California's largest state utilities, Southern California Edison (SCE), is lighting up the night with solar technology at its San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). To illuminate its main employee parking areas, Edison is equipping the site with solar-powered LED lights from Carmanah Technologies.

Harvatek Corporation announces the addition of high-speed infrared (IR) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in both surface-mount and through-hole packages.

DRI Corporation (DRI), a digital communications technology leader in the global surface transportation and transit security markets, announced today that its TwinVision na, Inc. subsidiary in Durham, N.C., recently launched a new electronic destination sign system product, the TwinVision Silver Smart Series.

Lunera Lighting, a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of next-generation digital LED lighting technology, is set to begin selling its premium products of ultra-thin, energy efficient LED light panel fixtures. The company will initially target the commercial general lighting market. Lunera was founded and is led by a broad range of top industry influencers, lighting physicists, engineers, artisans, and marketers. Lunera began shipping products during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Along with its ongoing activities in the field of LEDs, the Zumtobel Group of Austria is also investing in OLEDs, a technology with a bright future.

Larson Electronics’ magnalight.com released the LED10W-9S 90 watt LED emitter light. Housed in cast aluminum, nine 10 watt LEDs are packaged within individual reflectors, generating 7,200 lumens, while drawing only 8.5 amps on 12 volts. The LED10W-9S LED emitter light

Dialight, the applied LED technology specialist, now offers a flat and domed version of the successful 657 series panel-mount indicator. The new indicators feature a fully-sealed and potted design, making them impervious to dust and water intrusion and in compliance with IP67/NEMA 4X standards.

Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation, the number one worldwide brand of LCD display products, recently announced the debut of its premium LED monitor, the SyncMaster XL2370. At an estimated street price of $299, the XL2370 produces picture perfect, HD quality in a sleek, aerodynamic design. It will be available at Best Buy starting October 12 and through distribution and retailers in late November.

GE Consumer & Industrial announces a call for entries for the 27th annual GE Edison Award competition. Through the competition, GE recognizes excellence and quality in professional lighting designs that employ the significant use of GE light sources (lamps and/or LEDs).

Epistar Corporation, Taiwan’s largest LED epiwafer and chip maker has entered into a strategic equity investment and license agreement with Lynk Labs Inc., the leading supplier of AC LED device, light engine and power supply technology. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSG), a global leader in LED (light emitting diode) lighting products, introduces its new line of LED roadway luminaires. The new PROLIFIC Series Roadway Luminaires have substantially increased light efficacy when compared to traditional lighting technologies such as high intensity discharge (HID) and significantly better light efficacy when compared to currently available LED based street lights.

Philips Lumileds and Genius Electronic Optical Company (GSEO) announced yesterday that GSEO is developing new solid-state street lights and street light modules with LUXEON Rebel for use on roadways throughout China. The first installations of GSEO’s new streetlights are expected in early 2010.

Germany-based Evonik Industries and Taiwan-based Cristal Material Corporation have formed a new joint venture named Evonik Cristal Materials Corporation. The opening ceremony was held last week in Taipei, Taiwan, and Patrik Wohlhauser, chairman of Evonik Degussa GmbH's management board, announced that Evonik Cristal Materials will focus on manufacturing high-quality glass lenses for next-generation LEDs, which will marketed under the Savosil™ brand.

Cooper Crouse-Hinds, a provider of electrical and instrumentation products that enhance safety and productivity in harsh and hazardous industrial environments worldwide, has introduced the Champ® VMV LED Series, a new LED lighting technology for hazardous, industrial and other demanding locations.

Light-Based Technologies announced the release of their first LB4™ LED Controller application, Triac Dimming for LED Fixtures. This application capitalizes on the capabilities of LBT’s proprietary linear mixing system and the biggest need in the general Solid State Lighting (SSL) market, standard wall dimming control.

Phoseon announces the introduction of the RX FireLine(TM) series which is the next step in the evolution of their world leading Semiconductor Light Matrix (SLM) based high power UV LED curing systems.

Opto Diode Corporation, a supplier of standard and custom infrared and visible LEDs and high performance photodetectors, introduces a new 99 Die LED array product line. The family of products features excellent thermal conductivity, a 110-degree beam angle and a wide range of wavelengths from 405 nm to 870 nm. The six new devices are available in varying wavelengths with typical peak wavelengths of 405, 470, 525, 610, 830 and 870 nm, respectively.

EcoTek Lighting announced the design and manufacture of the unique Arched Graphics Indoor Menu Board with Direct Backlit LED Array technology. The Arched Graphics direct backlit LED menu board provides a clean contemporary look while allowing graphics to be changed easier.

Cree, Inc. announces the expansion of its North Carolina manufacturing capacity and the addition of North Carolina-based green jobs as the market for energy-efficient LED lighting continues to expand. Cree expects to add 275 North Carolina jobs during 2009 to serve the expansion of LED manufacturing capacity and other staffing needs at its Durham, N.C., facility. Cree anticipates creating an additional 300 jobs by the end of 2012.

IQE plc, the leading global supplier of advanced wafer products and wafer services to the semiconductor industry, is to acquire UK based NanoGaN Limited (“NanoGaN”).

OSRAM Sylvania, the manufacturer of automotive lighting and College for Creative Studies (CCS), one of the world's preeminent schools of transportation design are proud to announce the kick-off of the first annual OSRAM Automotive Lighting Design Challenge on Oct. 8, 2009. The 2009 OSRAM Automotive Lighting Design Challenge is designed to help educate future transportation designers on the many benefits of advanced LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting technologies and the design freedom they offer.

Lemnis Lighting, Inc this week announced the consumer launch of the Pharox60 LED bulb available exclusively online at www.mypharox.com. The Pharox60, the first true replacement for the incandescent bulb, represents a transformative technology for consumers looking to cut electricity costs and realize a quick return on an investment in the most efficient residential lighting solution on the market.

The rapidly expanding use of bluish-white outdoor lighting threatens visibility at night and jeopardizes the nocturnal environment worldwide.