Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has invested another US$15.50 million into future R&D of semiconductors and chips, according to a blog entry by Michael Cooney, Online News Editor for Network World.

In recent years, TV has shifted from LED to OLED technology, while High Definition (HD) is moving towards Ultra High Definition (UHD), indicating restructure of the global TV industry. Korean manufacturers that are currently the “leading ram” of the industry are using technology advantages to grab more market share. While Chinese and Japanese manufacturers might sink into a technology competition similar to the race between Soviet Union and U.S. during the Cold War.

Taiwan LED chip manufacturer Genesis actively developed flip chip technology this year. Taking advantage of flip chip technology to propel development of high voltage and high powered LEDs in order to break into Japanese brand named smartphone manufacturers’ flash supply chain.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. introduced Galaxy Round, the first mobile phone with a curved display last week, the Galaxy Round. With this new curved display technology, Galaxy Round blends the latest smartphone screen innovations with unique design features are blended into Galaxy Round.

The global Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place every October. To help raise awareness on this health issue that affects approximately 1.4 million women around the world, Philips has decorated 100 buildings and landmarks around the globe in pink lights. This is also the first time that Philips Taipei office is joining the showy display and lighting up four Taiwanese buildings in pink.

LED Canada announced a new paradigm in high Bay LED pricing has arrived, making the ROI for LED High Bay conversion a clear winner in lighting technologies.

Larson Electronics has announced the release of a powerful new LED fixture designed to provide powerful output combined with rugged construction capable of withstanding the rigors of offshore operation. The HAL-24-3L-LED-BMSW Hazardous Area LED Light Fixture features Class 1 Division 2 approvals, second generation HO LED tubes, and corrosion resistant aluminum construction.

The AreaMax, Evluma’s 40W LED Light for Area and Security Lighting, has been awarded the IDA (International Dark Sky Association) Seal of Approval. To qualify, a fixture cannot emit any luminous output above 90 degrees in the vertical plane.It is apparent that many consumers are choosing outdoor LED fixtures that not only support their environmental ideals, but also save maintenance expense.

ToiletTree Products is pleased to announce that their new LED Fogless Shower Mirror with Squeegee is now available for purchase at all Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency dropped a bomb this week, by announcing a temporary termination of Energy Star programs due to funding shortage caused by political stalemate in the U.S. congress. Moving towards Middle East, GE and Philips have both signed agreements with local organizations in the area. In Asia, Foshan Lighting (FLS) finds itself entangled in financial lawsuits, as 515 investors press for compensations over misleading company information. OLED for mobile devices also appear to be the next hype as Apple and LG reveal their new application plans. Other news highlights this week are the following:

Chinese LED manufacturer San’an Optoelectronic Co. (San’an) has been picking up its pace in internationalization and deployment of business strategies this year. In the LED chip field, the company has become a top international manufacturer with its acquisition of Luminus, with its investments in Taiwanese LED manufacturer FOREPI has greatly improved its competitiveness. In terms of its overall business strategies, the company has set up a lighting sales company, and plans to extend its reach in downstream applications.

A total of 515 investors have filed lawsuits against Foshan Electrical Lighting (FSL). Guangzhou Municipal Court will begin court hearings on October 22, 2013. Guangzhou Municipal Intermediate People’s Court judge has revealed that the court accepted the case of over 900 accumulated lawsuits totaling RMB $100 million (US$16,343).

Benefiting from street light bids, and recognized revenue from German luminaire subsidiary WOFI, The company’s 3Q13 revenue grew at a Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) rate of 18.13%, and an Year-over-Year rate (YOY) of 41.84% to NT$ 7.01 billion (US$ 24 million). The company’s 3Q13 performance outshone other LED packagers.

Sumitomo Electric has successfully developed Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) for LED applications that can tolerate high temperature of 150 degrees Celsius, according to a report by Nikkei.

To enhance people’s life by creating the right ambience, a team called Goldee announces their new iPhone app product working with Philips Hue. By this free app, you can create romantic atmosphere for dinner, an environment that inspires creativity or subtle light for falling asleep. 

GE Lighting, the lighting business of GE, and The Change Initiative, a one stop destination specializing in solutions that reduce human impacts on the environment and promote sustainable development, announced a joint venture initiative to promote energy-efficient lighting across residences and commercial establishments in the UAE, according to reports by local UAE media Zawya and Dubai City Bling. 

With its Ledriving Fog combined daytime running light / fog lamp Osram is introducing its first fully functioning replacement LED headlamp. It replaces conventional halogen fog lamps in many car models with state-of-the-art LED technology.

Control and dimming is an essential feature of many LED-based solid-state lighting (SSL) systems. However, there has been a shortage of standards to ensure compatibility between dimmable LED light engines (LLEs) and phase-cut dimming controls. 

Suppliers explore cooling options and materials, and adopt high-power SMD diodes. China suppliers of LED modules are enhancing product designs to address the light source’s elevated temperature. They use high-power diodes, mainly 1W SMD units, to achieve greater luminance and boost penetration of the indoor and outdoor illumination markets.

Inspired by the unmistakable style of the most legendary sports cars, the Carbon Appearance package utilizes a new palette of accent colors to make the 2014 Cirrus no less than stunning on the tarmac. Interior details such as jet black vents, carbon fiber instrument panel lobes and two-tone leather bolster seats complete this exhilarating new look.

Larson Electronics have released an explosion proof LED drop light that provides higher performance and safer operation than traditional incandescent drop lights.

Sometimes, profundity of a city or a country could be identified through its cultural activities; when it comes to the clearest representation of a city’s culture, that’s must be infrastructures related to it .The Star Performing Arts Center & Star Vista is exactly such a place – this is a multipurpose complex featuring a state-of-the-art with 5000 seat auditorium, above the theater located a vibrant shopping mall. The 2012 completed complex is truly a new representation of Singapore’s cultural style.

Since the first PechaKucha Night debut in Tokyo, Japan in 2003, lots of people around the world have been captivated by this enjoyable event. The main purpose of PechaKucha Night is to share speakers’ – no matter professionals or laymen – observations and opinions on light/lighting. PechaKucha Night is now a global sensation and has been held in more than 700 cities in the world. Of course in Taiwan it does, there is a PechaKucha Night event in Taipei, Taiwan every year.

Carmanah Technologies Corporation announced that it has filed a final prospectus in respect of a shareholder rights offering (the “Offering”). Under the Offering, Carmanah will seek to raise up to approximately $6 million. The proceeds from the Offering will be used for general corporate purposes including, but not limited to: (1) funding restructuring costs and process improvement expenditures all of which will be directed at reducing operating costs; (2) investments in new product development activities to meet market demands and improve gross margins; (3) funding a...

EMS provider Lite-On Technology has reported consolidated revenues of NT$20.361 billion (US$681 million) for September, hitting the highest monthly level since October 2011 and increasing 7.34% sequentially and 5.04% on year. September sales from LED lighting components rose nearly 20% on year, while other segments also saw strong growth in the month: LED street lamps, 40%; CCMs (compact camera modules), nearly 50%; and SSDs (solid-state drives), over 30%, Lite-On indicated. Lite-On Technology's consolidated revenues of NT$57.220 billion for the th...

The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, announced on October 9 that Cree won the retailer's 2013 Innovation Award for its LED light bulb. The annual award recognizes the most revolutionary new products that provide true benefits to consumers and the companies that exceeded expectations in sales, service and program execution. Mohawk Soft Spring Carpet received first runner-up honors for Soft Spring Carpet, and Plantation Patterns Patio won second runner-up honors for its Create Your Own Collection patio furniture. Cree, Inc. introd...

Recently, a London-based art and design studio loop pH have developed ‘the SOL dome’, a fully responsive lighting pavilion in Michigan. The honeycomb-shaped structure is assembled onsite from thousands of individual circles woven from composite fibers, extending through space with its hollow lightweight constructing. Measuring 8 x 4 meters and weighs just 40 kg, the ‘SOL dome’ is illuminated by a circular matrix of solar powered LEDs. The portable structure is animated; it interacts and adapts to its environment, similar to a plant and its surroun...

Many SiC-based substrate manufacturers exhibited 6-inch (150mm)-diameter wafers at ICSCRM 2013, an international conference on SiC-based power semiconductors, which took place from Sept 29 to Oct 4, 2013, in Miyazaki, Japan. Six-inch wafers are the successors to the current 3-4-inch (75-100mm) wafers. Thus far, Cree Inc. has been leading the supply of 6-inch wafers. But companies that are trying to catch up with Cree are expected to launch their 6-inch wafers one after the other from the second half of 2013 to 2014. Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp (N...

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently published its latest Solid State Lighting (SSL) Manufacturing R&D Roadmap for 2013. The Roadmap complements the SSL R&D Multi-Year Program Plan that guides the Core and Product Development R&D programs. According to DOE press release, the roadmap is an extension of the 2012 roadmap.  

Ever wondered what the effect would be of tilting you LED spot light design over a certain angle with respect to thermal behavior? In this whitepaper MechaTronix describe the effect of tilting spot light designs over an angle of 50 degrees and 90 degrees, and compare the thermal results from LED coolers made by extrusion and pin fin technology.