Taiwan LED maker Epistar is reportedly that it has increased its high power blue LED efficacy to 100lm/W. The company expects to begin mass production of the blue LEDs in the first half of 2009. It’s disclosed that its small blue LEDs should reach 150 lm/W in 2009, and its high-power blue LEDs should increase in efficiency to 120 lm/W.

It’s reported that Hella KGaA Hueck & Company, a global supplier of automotive lighting and electronic equipment based in Germany, became a finalist in the 2009 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award program for developing the industry's first full LED headlamps in North America for the Cadillac Escalade Platinum.

The following LED lamp is named “Soil Lamp”, which looks like the distilling flask very much, but outdoes most lamps in more ways than one: the electricity is powered through the organisms contained in the mud. The mud is enclosed in cells that contain copper and zinc, which conducts the electricity in the LED. Besides doing wonders for your energy bill, the only thing of the lamp needs is a "splash of water" every now and then, and then it will be shining.

Last Saturday, 4.5 million LEDs lit up the Nabana no Sato theme park of Kuwana, Japan, kicking off their annual Winter Light Show that runs until March 8th. The theme of this year is one of flowers, illuminated in 64 billion colors that actually resemble a river more than a field of blooming plants.                

Recently, Seoul Semiconductor Co. Ltd enters into a cross license agreement concerning white LEDs using silicate system phosphors with TridonicAtco Optoelectronics GmbH (TOE) and its patent partners. Based on this cross license agreement, Seoul enhances its flexibility to manufacture various kinds of LEDs besides its own white LEDs.

It’s reported that this year’s annual ZooLights display will use more LEDs to save energy. About half of the display’s 1 million lights will be LEDs. The LEDs use only a fraction of the energy of conventional light bulbs.

It’s reported that Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd will launch about 300 kinds of new LED lighting products in spring 2009 to strengthen its LED lighting business.

Recently, Tegal Corporation, a leading designer and manufacturer of plasma etch and deposition systems used in the production of LEDs, MEMS, integrated circuits, and nanotechnology devices, announced that it received another follow-on order for an additional Tegal 901ACS unit from a leading opto-semiconductor / LED manufacturer.

The new Ostar Headlamp LED from Osram Opto Semiconductors has a number of features that improve the accuracy of the light pattern. They emit clearly defined light with high efficiency without the need for further external shutters. The LED can be equipped with between one and five chips. Instead of the usual silicone encapsulation, a glass cover bonded to the frame protects the chips, and also prevents scatter losses.

A more efficient, safer and longer-lasting light bulb technology is emerging and starting to appear on store shelves, it is called LED.

It’s reported that the global LED output is expected to grow by only 5 percent next year, given the impact of the global economic downturn. While Taiwan, which accounts for 20 percent of the world’s LED output, is projected to fare slightly better with a 7 percent increase, according to an analyst with the Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center (IEK) under the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).

Recently, Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSG), announced that it has designed, developed and produced an integrated lighting system for the 2009 Time Square New Year's Eve Ball. The Ball, which boasts a system comprised of 672 LED modules, will be installed on November 26 in Times Square, New York, where it will continue to remain year round.

According to an industry executive at the Electronica 2008 exhibition, the integration of intelligence with LED technology will lead to a greater significant energy savings for many lighting applications.

Recently, Tokyo Electron Device Ltd has launched an RGB LED control driver - the TE7118PF, for LED control applications such as LCD backlights, indoor LED lightings, and LED illumination lights. The TE7118PF can handle high voltages and has a constant-current output in the range 5mA to 30mA which can be configured via an external resistor.

It’s reported that Taiwan’s DRAM chipmakers and backlight-module makers had announced aggressive investments in LED epitaxy-wafer production last year in anticipation of bright market future, touting to add a total of 100 metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) machines to the Taiwan industry. However, their optimism has been dampened by the global economic crisis, which has hamstrung consumer spending of various sectors including high-tech products like LED, DRAM and LCD TVs.

Recently, Seoul Semiconductor releases the ultra bright Z-Power P7 LED Series, and claims to deliver the world’s highest brightness of 900 lumens at 10 W to replace the conventional bulbs.

Recently, the electric utility completed replacing the sign's old neon illumination with LED lights that consume nearly 90 percent less energy, last longer, and require less maintenance. Visible to drivers along Interstate 88, the old signage previously used 2,618-watt neon lights, but now generate the same brightness using 323-watt LEDs. Because LEDs also last longer than neon lights and need to be replaced less frequently, ComEd expects to save another 20 percent in annual maintenance costs.

It’s reported that Boston's first official skyscraper, the Marriott Custom House Tower has been restored to its fully-illuminated state using LED fixtures that consume just one third the energy of the previous sources.  

It’s reported that Cree inc. announces that the University of Notre Dame is joining the LED University program, an international community of universities working to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient LEDs across their campuses.

Recently, ON Semiconductor, a leading global supplier of high-performance, energy-efficient silicon solutions, has expanded its line of constant-current, LDD(TM) products acquired from Catalyst Semiconductor, including two new high-brightness RGB LED pixel drivers - the CAT4103 and CAT4109.

Recently, Microsemi Corporation announced the first public demonstration of its breakthrough color management solution for RGB LED backlighting of LCD displays, at Electronica 2008, Hall A4.525, in Munich.

It’s reported that Avago Technologies announced the addition of new 3-Watt high power Cool-White (ASMT-Mx20) and Warm-White (ASMT-Mx22) low-profile LEDs to its Moonstone(TM) family.

Recently, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is launching two new MultiLEDs for different LED video displays, which are available in black packaging for higher contrast and in white for higher brightness.

Recently, Leica has released a new inverted routine microscope that features LED illumination of the target. Brilliant optics and optimum illumination are the key to achieving the best possible results in microscopy.

It’s reported that Lime Energy and Harrah's Rincon Resort and Casino, Valley Center, CA, have completed an energy efficiency retrofit project that produces significant benefits for the resort and the environment. The project includes new LED technology in elevators, recessed downlights and outdoor signage.

Now, LEDs, illuminate the traffic lights and cell-phone buttons, are finding their way into the home. Their residential uses are limited as yet, but look for big advances in the next few years, those in the industry say. Terry McGowan, a Cleveland Heights, Ohio, lighting consultant and director of engineering for the American Lighting Association, said lighting is undergoing a revolution, much like what happened to electronics when tubes gave way to solid-state components. We're right on the edge of seeing LEDs show up in the living room.

Recently, Optek Technology will bring many years of experience in the areas of LED lighting and assemblies to join Osram's "LED Light For You" (LLYF) network for optical, thermal and electronic solution categories as partner.

Recently, GlacialTech Inc. announces the availability of T8 LED light tubes. It’s disclosed that the LED T8 tubes come in ten models which range in brightness according to the number of LED’s present over the length of the tube. The three sizes of tube vary in length from 580mm to 1198mm to the longest which stands at 1498mm.

It’s reported that the use of LED backlights in LCD TVs will start to grow rapidly from 2009 as TV makers introduce slimmer models.

It’s reported that there is an article “2008 Tour of Homes” demonstration of LED residential downlights and undercabinet lights, shows an overview of project results including significant energy savings, improved illuminance uniformity and positive user feedback.