Yesterday,Nu Horizons Electronics Corp., a leading global distributor of advanced technology semiconductor, displays, illumination, power and system solutions, announced expansion into India withOSRAM Opto Semiconductors, a specialist in semiconductor technology for lighting, sensor and visualization applications.

Recently, Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc., a renewable energy and energy conservation company, announced that it had finalized an exclusive partnership with Kauffman Consulting, LLC for the design and development of proprietary, high-efficiency LED based solid-state lighting fixtures and solar lighting systems.

Today, Toshiba will unveil of a new full color LED display, Toshiba Vision Times Square, that supports over one billion colors and high definition resolution. The new LED display will take pride of place at the top of One Times Square Building, and carry its message to the crowded streets 285 feet (about 87 meters) below. It will be switched on today, at 19:30 EST. 

Recently, Taiwan`s top-two LED makers, Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd. and Epistar Corp., decided to jointly set up a dedicated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power plant in southern Taiwan, the first of its kind in Asia.

According to company sources, the Taiwan-based Genesis Photonics Inc., a upstream supplier of epitaxial wafers for LED, scored EPS of NT$1.67 in the second quarter of 2008, with a gross profit rate of 45%, as No. 1 supplier of this kind on the island.

Yesterday, Honeywell announced that it has signed a contract with Airbus valued in excess of $80 million to upgrade the navigation wingtip lighting on the A320 to Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology that lasts more than 40 times longer than current halogen technology, resulting in significantly lowered maintenance costs for airline operators.

Recently, Joliet Technology has launched a range of street lights based on high power LED (light emitting diode) technology. The range offers a selection of LED mast head lamp units designed to replace existing sodium and metal halide street lamps, a simple LED light bulb that fits standard E40 bulb holders, a specially designed tunnel light for underground applications, and a solar powered street light system which is totally independent of mains power.

According to company sources, Youngtek Electronics (YTEC), Taiwan LED sorting and semiconductor testing company, reported record second quarter revenues of NT$610.5 millions, up 30.2% compared to the first quarter.

Recently, Toshiba America Electronic Components Inc. (TAEC) has announced the TL12W02-D, a high power, high brightness white LED for commercial, residential and industrial lighting applications that can provide a typical flux of 90 lm when driven at only 250mA.

Recently, Philips has signed a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with the Dutch Government, which will see the development of a new generation of sustainable, LED-based, solar-powered lighting products for sub-Saharan Africa. The new PPP agreement aims to provide 10 million people in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa with affordable, appropriate and sustainable energy solutions and services by 2015.

Recently, Opto Tech, has landed a big order for LED displays for use on freeways in the U.S. With the new order and its ongoing construction project of a large-sized LED marquee in Suzhou China, which is worth NT$5-600 million, Opto Tech is very likely to see its single-month revenue break the NT$700 million mark, hitting a new high in the third quarter of 2008.

In Philippines, The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is mulling to use energy-efficient and durable light-emitting diodes (LED) to replace bulbs in Metro Manila's traffic light system.

According to company sources, affected by seasonal impact, quite a few Taiwan`s LED (light-emitting diode) makers, including Unity Opto Technology Co., Ltd.,Harvatek Inc. andEpistar Corp. and Opto Tech Corporation, Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd., suffered declining sales revenue in June.

Yesterday, Marktech LED Lighting Products announced the grand opening of their online store, MarktechLEDlighting.com, and spoke to consumers about the importance of energy conservation. At their online store, consumers will find creative illumination ideas that are designed to leave a minimal footprint on the environment.

Recently, Hisense, China flat-panel TV maker, is mass producing its own self-developed 42-inch LED backlit LCD TV (TLM42T08GP), as part of its Anyview series of TVs, the new LED backlit LCD TV has a thickness of only 55 millimeters, according to Chinese language Sina.com report.The report indicated, Hisense will invest in a large-size LED backlight module unit (BLU) plant in China during the second half of the year according to Hisense's develop plan.

Recently, Intellectual Property Bank Corp (IPB) has announced its "Applicant Score Rankings" based on the company's proprietary benchmarks for technical competitiveness of manufacturers engaged in the LED lighting system business. According to IPB, a company that provides consulting related to intellectual property, Nichia Corp is the top manufacturer on a basis of competitive technology in the LED lighting system area.

Recently, Sony Corp and other Japanese companies said they will team up to jointly develop key technologies to make large-sized organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels for use in TVs.

Yesterday, Analog Technologies Corp., a leading provider of electronic design and manufacturing services, announced the launching of a wholly-owned subsidiary focused on high power LED integration for Solid State Lighting OEM’s. The newly formed operation, Lumagine, LLC will be responsible for design and manufacturing services of high power LED light engines and assemblies.

If you're a habitual destroyer of snooze buttons, there's at least a smidgen of a possibility that picking one of these up could stop that habit. Seiji's stylish LED Alarm Clock Blocks (¥8,190; $76) rely on a trio of LED-filled boxes to convey the time (right down to the second), and best of all, the trifecta can be arranged however you'd like (horizontally, vertically, etc.) in order to please your fuzzy eyes in the AM.

Recently, Taiwan's share of the growing notebook market is expected to continue slowly rising. But systems makers on the island nation face challenges such as the transition to LED backlights and the need to expand their overseas markets.In Taiwan at least 15 companies currently design and make notebooks for major brand name companies. Two of those former no-name manufacturers—Acer Inc. and Asustek Computer--have established significant notebook businesses under their own brands, thanks in part to their close ties to the many key component suppliers in Taiwan.

It’s reported that temples in the Greater Taipei area are going green in accordance with the government's carbon-reduction policy.

It’s reported that the Japanese government is backing Sony, Toshiba, Sharp and some other companies in joint research of new display technology called organic light-emitting diodes, or OLED.An agency set up for encouraging research, The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, or NEDO, said in a statement Thursday it has chosen the companies with the aim of developing a 40-inch OLED display sometime after 2015.

Recently, Everlight Electronics Co., a Taiwanese supplier of LEDs (light-emitting diodes), has won a big order for LED surgical lights and is scheduled to fill the order starting the second half of this year, according to company sources.

It’s reported that OLED faces a renewed attack from rival technology Field Emission Displays (FED), after Sony spin-off Field Emission Technologies (FET) confirmed it will purchase Pioneer's plasma factory next year.A FET spokesperson said, “We will purchase the factory, but at this point in time, we are still in discussions with Pioneer as to the method of purchase”. He said whether the company would pay cash or use other means was still unclear.

Recently, Luminus Devices, Inc., the developer and manufacturer of PhlatLight (Photonic Lattice) LEDs that are used in display and lighting applications, announced it has received its 21st United States patent for its PhlatLight technology. This rapidly growing patent portfolio highlights Luminus Devices' technology leadership in the LED industry. And with 120 additional patents pending in the United States and foreign countries, Luminus will continue its leadership in solid state lighting innovation.

It’s reported that Juno Lighting Group has partnered with Dialight, an LED lighting specialist, to develop and launch a series of low-profile linear LED lighting systems for Juno's DanaLite brand.

Recently, Taiwan's share of the growing notebook market is expected to continue slowly rising. But systems makers on the island Taiwan face challenges such as the transition to LED backlights and the need to expand their overseas markets.

Recently, Capital Vending, Inc. in Laurel, Md. has developed energy saving LED light strips designed specifically for vending machines. These light strips are designed with a connector that attaches to the existing harness in the machine, eliminating the need for a ballast. On-location installation typically takes just a few minutes. These LED strips are protected in clear acrylic tubing which helps protect the LED’s and allows them to be shipped individually without damage.

Everlight, Taiwan LED packaging company, is going to adjust its shipment proportion going to the handset segment from 40% in 2007 to 33% this year due to weaker demand, according to Everlight chairman Robert Yeh.

With costs for LED backlights using a mix of red, green and blue LEDs remaining high, LED industry players are considering using a combination of blue LEDs with red and green phosphors for TV-use backlights. In 2009, such designs may become popular.