Archive for category LED
Mitsubishi Chemical and Pioneer form OLED alliance
Posted by LED Larry in LED, Other Technology on March 9th, 2010
Mitsubishi Chemical plans to release OLED lighting products through its Verbatim brand in 2011.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Pioneer Corporation have entered into an alliance covering their OLED lighting businesses, as well as a capital alliance that will strengthen their inter-company relations.
Mitsubishi Chemical is entering the OLED lighting business, and is aiming to begin full-scale mass production and launch of illumination products in 2011 through its Verbatim brand. The company’s target sales for the OLED lighting business are ¥30 billion (about $330 million) for 2015, and ¥100 billion ($1.1 billion) for 2020.
Mitsubishi Chemical plans to use OLED lighting panels supplied by Pioneer, but is also looking into performing joint research on printable OLED lighting development, as well as commercialization of such products.
Also, in order to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two companies, Pioneer will issue Mitsubishi Chemical about ¥600 million in new stock through third-party allotment.
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| OLED Lighting Panel Prototype |
Both companies are currently performing joint research on OLED lighting panels that use printable hole injecting material (HIM) and new emitting materials. In line with its goal to start early stage mass production and marketing of new printable emitting materials, Mitsubishi Chemical is moving on with research and development, as well as looking into the commercialization of printable OLED lighting.
OLED lighting panels are typically created through a vapor deposition process, which makes it difficult to mass-produce large, uniform surfaces with no defects. However, Mitsubishi Chemical says that its unique printable materials can enable the mass-production of panels with an area of about 14cm square, using Pioneer’s commercial lines.
Mitsubishi Chemical plans to display the world’s first dimmable/tone-adjustable OLED prototype this year at Light+Building (April 11 – 16 in Frankfurt, Germany) in the Verbatim GmbH booth.
Instrument Systems buys the Light Measurement Division of X-Rite
Instrument System forms Berlin based Optronik subsidiary to integrate X-Rite’s Optronik-branded light measurement product portfolio.
Instrument Systems extended its broad portfolio of LED and light measurement technologies adding the Optronik product line from X-Rite in a recent acquisition. Instrument systems integrated the X-Rite portfolio into a newly formed subsidiary called Optronik Berlin GmbH thereby continuing the brand used previously on the X-Rite product line.
The Optronik product line targets the automotive and transportation engineering sector. The Berlin unit will continue to serve testing and certification institutes, suppliers of automotive light products, and many automobile manufacturers.
“This acquisition enables Instrument Systems to better satisfy future market demands for LEDs in general lighting applications and extend its lead in light measurement technology,” notes company president Richard Distl. “What’s more, all legacy customers of Optronik are sure to benefit from our expertise in spectroradiometry.”
Optronik’s main products include large goniophotometer systems, retroreflectometers, and photometers. Those products will add to the Instrument Systems portfolio that includes LED testers, light sources, and test software; as well as spectrometers, goniophotometers, and photometers.
Analyst questions LED backlight technology but still sees growth market
Posted by LED Larry in Green Tip, LED, Lighting, New LED Technology on March 9th, 2010
Steve Ohr discussed LED TV backlighting in an APEC Consumer session questioning the price and advantages of the technology while stating that even a bearish outlook promises growth.
The APEC conference featured a series of Special Presentations focused on application areas this year, and the lead session in the consumer space focused on LED backlighting for LCD TVs. Gartner Research Director Steve Ohr presented “The promise for LED backlights in consumer TVs” and questioned just how quickly LEDs will penetrate the application, but still offered a positive market outlook.
Ohr started the presentation stating, “I thought LEDs would be too expensive to use as backlights.” But Ohr noted that consumers seem to be buying the LED sets despite the price premium – and in many cases without a discernible difference in picture quality. Ohr questioned whether the edge-lit sets offer any real improvement in image quality relative to fluorescent-lit sets.
While Ohr noted that some analysts and the TV manufacturers are predicting 50% market penetration in 2010, he takes a much more conservative view. Ohr sees 50% penetration by 2013, but notes that bearish outlook still results in a $2 billion white LED opportunity in 2013
Ohr isn’t alone questioning some of the bullish forecasts. Strategies Unlimited’s Bob Steele also questioned some of the high market projections two weeks ago at the Strategies in Light conference. In his annual market forecast presentation, Steele noted that some analysts are projecting that 39 million LED-based TVs will ship in 2010 while he believes 22 million is a more reasonable projection.
Despite his analysis of the financials and questions about the advantages of LEDs in edge-lit configurations, Ohr said signs are pointing potentially to a more rapid adoption of LEDs. He stated, “Promotion of LED backlights may result in high consumer acceptance despite the higher price.”
Ohr also noted that there are signs in the semiconductor space that those companies see a more rapid transition than most expected previously. He noted that NXP had discontinued development of a new fluorescent driver IC. And he displayed a slide of a Marvell fluorescent driver data sheet with discontinued stamped across the sheet.
Ohr concluded stating, “We need $0.05 by 2013.” He questions whether the LED industry can deliver components at that price both because of the manufacturing and packaging cost, and the need to test and bin the products for intensity and color.
LSG and Senergy aim to help municipalities adopt LED lighting
Lighting Science Group has entered a nationwide marketing and supply agreement with Senergy USA to offer LED lighting to municipalities.
LED lighting manufacturer Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSG) and Senergy USA, LLC, have entered into an agreement to coordinate marketing and supply efforts to American cities, counties and towns. Senergy USA provides municipalities with “environmentally appropriate” lighting solutions that offer significant and immediate cost savings with no capital outlay from the municipalities.
Under the agreement, Senergy will utilize the Lighting Science PROLIFIC series roadway luminaires to replace inefficient, high-pressure sodium cobra-head street lights.
“The PROLIFIC luminaires…will allow Senergy to offer municipalities a ‘triple-win’ for street lighting: immediate cost savings, massive reductions in lighting-related energy use, and superior lighting over the long term,” said Leon Silvera, Managing Partner, Senergy USA.
LSG claims that its PROLIFIC Series Roadway family has “substantially increased light efficacy when compared to other LED roadway fixtures currently available on the market.” The LSR2 has an output of 5890 lm at 79 lm/W efficacy, for example, while the LSR3 has an output of 9365 lm at 92 lm/W.
Currently, Senergy and Lighting Science Group say that they are working on half a dozen pilot programs representing over 200,000 street lights nationwide. The pilot programs are showing as much as 67% reduction in energy consumption, while meeting or exceeding existing safety-standard compliance.
LSG and Senergy estimate that a medium-sized municipality with 12,000 street lights can save over $700,000 per year, cut its carbon footprint by nearly 3,500 metric tons (equivalent to over 650 cars each year), and save nearly five million kWh/year, greatly reducing its exposure to volatile energy prices.
Analyst questions LED backlight technology but still sees growth market
Steve Ohr discussed LED TV backlighting in an APEC Consumer session questioning the price and advantages of the technology while stating that even a bearish outlook promises growth.
The APEC conference featured a series of Special Presentations focused on application areas this year, and the lead session in the consumer space focused on LED backlighting for LCD TVs. Gartner Research Director Steve Ohr presented “The promise for LED backlights in consumer TVs” and questioned just how quickly LEDs will penetrate the application, but still offered a positive market outlook.
Ohr started the presentation stating, “I thought LEDs would be too expensive to use as backlights.” But Ohr noted that consumers seem to be buying the LED sets despite the price premium – and in many cases without a discernible difference in picture quality. Ohr questioned whether the edge-lit sets offer any real improvement in image quality relative to fluorescent-lit sets.
While Ohr noted that some analysts and the TV manufacturers are predicting 50% market penetration in 2010, he takes a much more conservative view. Ohr sees 50% penetration by 2013, but notes that bearish outlook still results in a $2 billion white LED opportunity in 2013
Ohr isn’t alone questioning some of the bullish forecasts. Strategies Unlimited’s Bob Steele also questioned some of the high market projections two weeks ago at the Strategies in Light conference. In his annual market forecast presentation, Steele noted that some analysts are projecting that 39 million LED-based TVs will ship in 2010 while he believes 22 million is a more reasonable projection.
Despite his analysis of the financials and questions about the advantages of LEDs in edge-lit configurations, Ohr said signs are pointing potentially to a more rapid adoption of LEDs. He stated, “Promotion of LED backlights may result in high consumer acceptance despite the higher price.”
Ohr also noted that there are signs in the semiconductor space that those companies see a more rapid transition than most expected previously. He noted that NXP had discontinued development of a new fluorescent driver IC. And he displayed a slide of a Marvell fluorescent driver data sheet with discontinued stamped across the sheet.
Ohr concluded stating, “We need $0.05 by 2013.” He questions whether the LED industry can deliver components at that price both because of the manufacturing and packaging cost, and the need to test and bin the products for intensity and color.
Instrument Systems buys the Light Measurement Division of X-Rite
Instrument System forms Berlin based Optronik subsidiary to integrate X-Rite’s Optronik-branded light measurement product portfolio.
Instrument Systems extended its broad portfolio of LED and light measurement technologies adding the Optronik product line from X-Rite in a recent acquisition. Instrument systems integrated the X-Rite portfolio into a newly formed subsidiary called Optronik Berlin GmbH thereby continuing the brand used previously on the X-Rite product line.
The Optronik product line targets the automotive and transportation engineering sector. The Berlin unit will continue to serve testing and certification institutes, suppliers of automotive light products, and many automobile manufacturers.
“This acquisition enables Instrument Systems to better satisfy future market demands for LEDs in general lighting applications and extend its lead in light measurement technology,” notes company president Richard Distl. “What’s more, all legacy customers of Optronik are sure to benefit from our expertise in spectroradiometry.”
Optronik’s main products include large goniophotometer systems, retroreflectometers, and photometers. Those products will add to the Instrument Systems portfolio that includes LED testers, light sources, and test software; as well as spectrometers, goniophotometers, and photometers.
LED Galaxy Dress by CuteCircuit is World’s Largest Wearable Display
Posted by LED Larry in LED, Lighting, New LED Technology, Uncategorized on March 3rd, 2010
It seems like everyone has a cause to tout these days, from health care reform to gay marriage to…ahem…making fashion more sustainable. Instead of feverishly emailing your friends, tweeting, and updating the “Causes” tab on your Facebook profile, why not get your clothing to do the talking for you? CuteCircuit’s mesmerizing Galaxy Dress lets you advertise your message all over your body with the help of 24,000 full-color LEDs, making it pretty difficult to ignore what you have to say! Click below the fold for a haunting video demonstration.
A BRILLIANT DISPLAY
Each of the flat, extra-thin LEDs that illuminate the dress measures a mere 2×2 millimeters, but they work together to create a dazzling light show of hundreds of colors that pulse across the flowing skirt. And we’ve come a long way from those lame, scrolling LED belt buckles—the intricate circuitry that underlies this futuristic frock was painstakingly hand-embroidered on a layer of silk, imbuing it with the fluidity of fabric.
24,000 LEDs work together to create a dazzling light show of hundreds of cascading colors.
To diffuse the light and create an even more ethereal effect, the designers added four layers of silk chiffon, along with 4,000 hand-applied Swarovski crystals that extend the gown’s glittery sheen even after the LED bulbs go dim. And although the Galaxy Dress is lightweight, the heaviest part isn’t the technology but rather the 40-layer pleated silk organza crinoline that gives the skirt its flounce.
LOW POWER, HIGH IMPACT
The whole display can be powered with just a few iPod batteries for 30 minutes to an hour—just enough time for you to “enlighten” everyone at a cocktail party about the need for yogurt-container recycling at every supermarket. (Thanks to the LED technology, you won’t overheat.)
The Galaxy Dress requires only a few iPod batteries for 30 minutes to an hour.
On permanent display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the Galaxy Dress is still in its prototypical stages, but if it does take off, it could very well be the next big thing in visual communication.
Photos by J.B. Spector/Museum of Science and Industry
Originally Posted by: www.ecouterre.com
Flexible drivers enable dynamic color-changing lighting projects
Color-changing lighting using LEDs has been around now for over 10 years, and is now, probably, the dominant lighting technology in architectural and entertainment dynamic lighting applications. LED technology has continued to evolve, often with the addition of a 4th control channel—white or amber—to expand the color gamut. Moreover, multi-chip LEDs have improved the color-mixing cabilities of lighting fixtures.
Over the same period, the range of options to drive the LEDs has also expanded dramatically. However, many of these sophisticated solutions are chip-based and require extensive electronics expertise and investment to arrive at a final drive solution. This may be fine for entertainment companies with in-house electronics capabilities, but, in the architectural and general lighting segments, dynamic color-change projects are often project-specific and have to be supplied on short delivery times.
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This article was published in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of LEDs Magazine. To read the full version of this article, please visit our magazine page, where you can download FREE electronic PDF versions of all issues of LEDs Magazine. You can also request a print copy of LEDs Magazine (available by paid subscription) and sign up for our free weekly email newsletter.
About the Author
GORDON ROUTLEDGE is in charge of UK Business Development for eldoLED (www.eldoled.com), a privately-owned company with headquarters in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Cities are transforming the outdoor lighting market, but barriers remain
| A global trial is strengthening the case for LED acceptance by municipal lighting asset managers, says PHILIP JESSUP of THE CLIMATE GROUP. | |
| In 1893, visitors to Chicago’s Columbian Exposition were awestruck by the blaze of artificial light that bathed the fairground’s neo-Renaissance streets and plazas. Aglow at night with 93,000 electric lamps, the fairgrounds were dubbed the White City. Searchlights alone consumed more electricity than the entire city of Chicago, reports John Jakle in his definitive City Lights. The Exposition’s 16 million dazzled visitors spread the word. To emulate the White City, municipal governments began converting their archaic oil and gas street lamps to electric lights. Cities would never be the same.
Thus, municipal governments historically became important players in the transformation of lighting markets. During the late 1800s, they set up their own companies to raise capital to install gas street lighting on commercial streets. When electricity brought brighter light, they made large financial contracts with fledgling private utilities to convert the old to the new. ++++++ This article was published in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of LEDs Magazine. To read the full version of this article, please visit our magazine page, where you can download FREE electronic PDF versions of all issues of LEDs Magazine. You can also request a print copy of LEDs Magazine (available by paid subscription) and sign up for our free weekly email newsletter. |
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| About the Author | |
| Philip Jessup is Cities and Technology Director at The Climate Group |
LED TV backlights to drive escalation in LED production (MAGAZINE)
| Analysts forecast a ramp in LED-backlit LCD TV sales, but will LED makers be able to deliver the required capacity? MAURY WRIGHT reports. | |
| There’s a very good chance that LED-backlit LCD TVs in all sizes will significantly boost LED production requirements immediately and over the next few years. Most indications—including analyst projections and product introductions at the recent Consumer Electronics Show— point to a faster uptake of LED backlighting than previously predicted. But can the LED suppliers handle the increased demand, and will consumers actually pay the premium for LED-backlit TVs? We can’t definitively answer these questions, but we can see an unmistakable trend toward LED backlighting.
Bruce Berkoff, chairman of the LCD TV Association, states “LED-backlit TVs are going to take over the industry.” Berkoff won’t predict when LED-backlit sets will take a predominant share of market, but he can tell you why. According to Berkoff, consumers care about three things in buying large-screen TVs—“image quality, WAF (wife acceptance factor), and green.” Berkoff states, “LED-backlit sets win in all three areas.” ++++++ This article was published in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of LEDs Magazine. To read the full version of this article, please visit our magazine page, where you can download FREE electronic PDF versions of all issues of LEDs Magazine. You can also request a print copy of LEDs Magazine (available by paid subscription) and sign up for our free weekly email newsletter. |
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| About the Author | |
| Maury Wright is the Senior Technical Editor of LEDs Magazine |