austriamicrosystems (SIX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high-performance analog ICs, today announced the release of the latest additions to thepany’sprehensive LED TV drivers and support IC portfolio. The new ICs include three LED drivers and a new LED power supply IC. These new devices plus other LED drivers will be demonstrated at the FPD International Exhibition & Convention, October 26 – 28, in Yokohama, Japan. austriamicrosystems will also be demonstrating thepany’splete ambient light sensor, proximity detection and color sensor product offering for HDTVs, tablets and mobile devices.

The AS3822 & AS3823 are 6- and 8-channel LED driver ICs, respectively, and are fullypatible with the recently launched 16- and 12-channel AS3820 and AS3821 LED drivers. Thispatibility enables set makers to use the same hardware design and software for their whole range of LED edge-lit TVs. All driver ICs in this portfolio employ austriamicrosystems enhanced digital power feedback control technique to achieve the lowest possible energy consumption. Additionally, smart dimming functionality further reduces power consumption while addressing the needs for the latest 3D TV designs and the highest picture quality.

In addition to these new driver ICs, the new AS3810 16-channel LED driver with internal FETs is the 3rd generation of driver ICs for direct-lit TVs. It features industry leading channel-to-channel performance and all the functionality needed to optimize power consumption in large direct-lit TVs. Multiple ICs are easilybined to realize even dozens of dynamically dimmed backlighting segments, further reducing power consumption and fully supporting the best possible contrast. This full driver IC portfolio meets the design needs of all TV architectures with the highest current accuracy for the best light uniformity, the latest 3D features, and also reduced system cost.

All of these driver ICs match perfectly with the new AS1390bination boost controller / buck converter, which is optimized for the power needs of LED TV backlights. It supplies the LED backlight with a high-power constant-frequency boost controller optimized for up to 90 V/3 Abined with a 5 V/100 mA step-down converter to supply a microcontroller or other devices. In addition to offering special features for 3D, the AS1390 supports the needs of low energy consumption for LED TVs with over 95 % power efficiency. The continuous conduction mode of the AS1390 provides superior bandwidth and transient response. It also includes all required safety features, including over-voltage, over-current and over-temperature protection.

In addition to this range of LED TV backlighting solutions, smart light sensors from TAOS, the leading global supplier of intelligent light sensors, were recently added to austriamicrosystems product portfolio. These devices significantly contribute to further reducing energy consumption through use of ambient light sensors to automatically adjust the screen brightness to suit the surrounding light environment.

Markus Luidolt, Senior Marketing Manager for Panel Lighting stated,” This full range of IC solutions allows designers to achieve the lowest power in TVs. The right products, plus austriamicrosystems strong technical support, make austriamicrosystems the leading specialist for meeting low energy consumption requirements in TVs. Working with the world leaders in TV technology results in austriamicrosystems best-in-class LED solutions for high-resolution, 3D and special effects.”

Bridgelux Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of LED lighting technologies and solutions, today announced that it has closed an additional $15 million in financing raised specifically to further accelerate research, development, and scaling of thepany’s leading position in GaN-on-Silicon LED chip technologies, targeted formercialization in 2013.
 
The financing round, which was oversubscribed, was quickly filled out by existing financial and strategic investors in response topany reports indicating additional capital could further accelerate Bridgelux’s GaN-on-Silicon program. Included in the round are VantagePoint Capital Partners, DCM, El Dorado Ventures, Novus Energy Partners, IFA, Chrysalix, Harris & Harris Group, Craton Equity Partners, Jebsen Asset Management, and Passport Capital among others.
 
“By continuing to drive down the cost of solid state solutions for general lighting, Bridgelux is helping to expand the market for these solutions, which we expect to grow from $3 billion in 2011 to more than $25 billion in 2015, generating strong growth for ourpany and our investors,” said Bill Watkins, Bridgelux’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are very pleased with the progress of our GaN-on-Silicon program. This additional capital will further accelerate our breakthrough development efforts in producingmercial grade LEDs on silicon while we continue to deliver the industry’s leading GaN-on-Sapphire array solutions.”  
 
About Bridgelux
Bridgelux is a leading developer and manufacturer of technologies and solutions transforming the $40 billion global lighting industry into a $100 billion market opportunity.  Based in Livermore, California, Bridgelux is a pioneer in solid state lighting (SSL), expanding the market for light-emitting diode (LED) technologies by driving down the cost of LED lighting systems. Bridgelux’s patented light source technology replaces traditional technologies (such as incandescent, halogen, fluorescent and high intensity discharge lighting) with integrated, solid state lighting solutions that enable lamp and luminaire manufacturers to provide high performance and energy-efficient white light for the rapidly growing interior and exterior lighting markets, including street lights,mercial lighting and consumer applications. With more than 500 patent applications filed or granted worldwide, Bridgelux is the only vertically integrated LED manufacturer and developer of solid state light sources that designs its solutions specifically for the lighting industry.  For more information about thepany, please visit bridgelux.

Nexxus Lighting has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with American Electric Power Service Corporation (AEP Ohio) to offer in-store rebates of $10 to $15 on select ENERGY STAR qualified Array LED bulbs. AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power, will apply the in-store discounts to purchases made by residential consumers at participating retailers throughout its Ohio service area.

“The LED Program is part of our gridSMART initiative to help our residential customers use less energy, lower energy costs, conserve natural resources and protect the environment,” said AEP Ohio Manager of Energy Efficiency and Peak Demand Response Jon Williams. “Included among the benefits of LEDs are high energy efficiency, long operating lifetime, reduced radiant heat, directional illumination and aesthetic appearance.”

Lighting up the home for the season is a great way to add warmth and a touch of holiday spirit. Both solar and LED lights are great options for those looking to save energy and keep on budget.

The lighting team at Canadian Tire has some holiday d?cor ideas that add warmth and beauty without breaking the bank:

THE BENEFITS OF LED LIGHTS

– Energy efficiency – LED lights use 80-95 per cent less energy than conventional lighting, saving money on energy bills.

– Safety – LED lights are made of non-flammable plastic epoxy that won't break, even when stepped on, and they run cool to the touch, making them a safe alternative for families with young children.

– Convenience – LED lights last up to seven times longer than traditional holiday lights, with a bulb life of 200,000 hours. They also require no replacement bulbs and have end-to-end connectors, that makes it easy to plug in multiple sets.

– Style — LED lights have a unique shape and shimmer that provide a beautiful, bright look both indoors and out.

THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR LIGHTS

– Energy efficiency – Solar lights are charged during the day from the sun's light.

– Safety — With solar lighting there is no risk of electrocution and the lights are cool to the touch, making them safe for children and pets.

– Convenience – Solar technology can charge lights even on cloudy, winter days.

– Easy Installation – Solar lights can be placed anywhere outside your home without the hassle of extension cords.

DECORATING WITH LED LIGHTS

– Adorning the outside of the house with lights and decorations immediately sets a festive tone for family and friends. Try new LED fashion glow lights available in trendy colours such as tanzanite, lime green, purple and burgundy.

DECORATING WITH SOLAR LIGHTS

– Wire frame characters like reindeer, add a fun touch to the outdoors and are great for kids.

– Look for wire frame figures that use warm white solar lights for a coordinated look.

Rubicon extends its integrated manufacturing efforts to include internally-processed powder
 
Rubicon Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:RBCN), a leading provider of sapphire substrates and products to the LED, RFIC, Semiconductor, and Optical industries,  announced that thepany has begun the transition to on premise processing of aluminum oxide used for the production of sapphire wafers. 
 
Using a customized in-house method, Rubicon converts raw aluminum oxide powder into a form usable in thepany’s industry-leading crystal growth process, Rubicon ES2.  This process enables thepany to reduce its manufacturing costs while increasing control of the quality of its raw materials.
 
In addition to providing greater control of quality and cost, this new process developed by Rubicon’s team of crystal growth engineers forms the powder into different shapes which can optimize the space in the crucibles in its crystal growth furnaces, thereby resulting in larger crystals. 
 
“As the LED industry transitions to larger diameter substrates, ensuring a steady supply of raw material bes increasingly important,” said Raja Parvez, Rubicon president and CEO.  “Large diameter wafers are as much as three times thicker than two- to four-inch wafers and require more aluminum oxide. As the world’s leader in large diameter sapphire, it is important that our new on-site processing capability brings us a reliable supply of raw material that we can process into large diameter sapphire wafers for LED manufacturers.”
 
Advances in raw material handlingbined with recentpany-wide installation of enhancements to its proprietary crystal growth furnaces, Rubicon Furnace Version ES2-XLG3.0, delivers cost efficiencies for the production of large diameter sapphire. Rubicon’s next generation ES2-XLG3.0 furnaces provide automation for vacuum monitoring and crystal growth rates for greater yield consistency.  The furnaces require less operator intervention at 5 employees per 100 furnaces at any given time.  ES2-XLG3.0 furnaces operate in Rubicon’s United States high-efficiency crystal growth facilities in Batavia and Bensenville, Illinois.
 
The transition to larger diameter wafers in LED production has started.  Several key LED chip manufacturers have announced plans to migrate to and/or test large diameter wafers in 2011/2012.  Rubicon’s robust process platforms for large diameter sapphire wafers and thepany’s ability to scale tomercial volumes, creates superior performance factors for the LED industry.  To date, Rubicon has successfully shipped more than 150,000 six-inch sapphire wafers. 
 
According to market research firm DisplaySearch, TV applications currently dominate the LED market, but LED lighting will capture the lead by 2014. The firm said that LED lighting penetration rate in 2010 was 1.4%, and is forecast to reach 9.6% in 2014 with the growth due to government incentive programs, and growth inmercial applications and consumer adoption worldwide. 

About Rubicon Technology Inc.
Rubicon Technology (NASDAQ: RBCN) is an advanced electronic materials provider that is engaged in developing, manufacturing and selling monocrystalline sapphire and other crystalline products for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications. Thepany applies its proprietary crystal growth technology to produce very high-quality sapphire in a form that allows for volume production of various sizes and orientations of substrates and windows. Rubicon is a vertically-integrated manufacturer with capabilities in crystal growth, high precision core drilling, wafer slicing, surface lapping, large-diameter polishing and wafer cleaning processes, which thepany employs to convert the bulk crystal into products with the quality and precision specified by its customers. Thepany is actively developing larger diameter products to support next-generation LED, RFIC and optical window applications.

Luminus Devices Inc of Billerica, MA, USA, which manufactures PhlatLight (photonic lattice) LEDs for illumination applications, has appointed David Rubin as director of sales for North America.

Rubin assumes the leadership role in managing sales for direct and distribution customers in markets include general lighting, entertainment lighting, displays & signage, and ultraviolet applications.

Rubin joins Luminus from Everlight Americas, where he was president, growing sales in the evolving LED market. He has also held the position of senior VP, sales & marketing, at Brinkman Corp, where he led the consumer andmercial portable LED lighting business. Prior to Brinkman, he served with Lighting Science Group, developing and delivering LED products to market.

Rubin holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, and an executive M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is also a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society.

The twopanies have a multiyear partnership to sell LED bulbs through Ikea stores starting in Europe, Lemnis Lighting CEO Warner Philips said today. The partnership was first reported by trade publication LEDs Magazine.

The collaboration is designed to make normally pricey LED bulbs appealing to consumers. In Europe the price target with tax is about 10 euros, or less than $14, for a 400 lumen lamp, which gives about the same light as a 45-watt incandescent. A 25-watt replacement will cost with tax about 7 euros, or less than $10.

The Pharox bulbs for Ikea will have relatively high light quality with a color rendering index (CRI) over 85 and a warm color at 2,700 Kelvin, Warner confirmed.

“This is going to be massive…. This is the sort of partnership that will help move markets,” he said. “We need partnerships to bring down price by selling through innovative channels…and we need volume to bring the price down to get decent margins.”

Lemnis Pharox bulbs are designed to work between 10 and 20 years, depending on how often they are used, and to be energy efficient. For example, the Pharox 400-lumen bulb consumes 8 watts, versus 45 watts for an incandescent.

pany Chief Technology Officer Martijn Dekker told LEDs Magazine that the twopanies have created a “virtual vertically integratedpany” where they collaborate on production, which will be done in India, and share project risk.

Ikea in January of this year stopped sales of incandescent lights in its U.S. stores in advance of a mandate to phase out incandescents starting next year. Thepany sells halogens that meet new efficient standards,pact florescent lamps, and a line of fixtures that use LEDs.

Through the Lemnis Lighting partnership, Ikea in Europe will now sell general-purpose, omnidirectional bulbs with the traditional screw-in bottom.

Lemnis Lighting is working on a line of brighter Pharox bulbs, which will be EnergyStarpliant, Philips said. Thepany's goal is to have a product line of about 20 bulbs that will are suitable to replace about 80 percent of the lights in a home, he said.

K-Source Technology was established in 1998, we have been involved in developing LED projects with Government or relevant institutions which make us as known as good reputation in LED field. We keep up to develop outdoor lighting / indoor lighting with high quality; fully service-Source has been successfully gained a significant market in LED field.

K-Source has been doing high power outdoor lighting research AL-PH light bar, as usual the light bar has extruded, anodized aluminum, waterproof and wider to make sure heat dissipation can work more efficient. The superior part is Power/Controller is optional whether in the light body or out, also attached glaze shields to focus the light without glare. RGB could operate with DMX controller (30cm or 60cm address).it’s a great choice for wall washer, building skyline, LED panel….etc.  

The latest work we finished is located at Kaoshung, South of Taiwan. Most of light bars installed on the wall surface, it seems different in the day time and night time due to the light color rendering perfectly, apparently it looks more attractive at night with this outstanding light.

Cree, Inc., a market leader in LED lighting, today announced it will webcast its presentation at four uing events.

Chuck Swoboda, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will provide apany overview at Cree’s Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday, October 25th, at 10:00 am ET.

John Kurtzweil, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will provide apany overview at the following conferences:

    * The Lazard Capital Markets 4th Annual LED Day on Thursday, November 3, at 12:45 p.m. ET.
    * The 4th CLSA AsiaUSATM Forum on Wednesday, November 9, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
    * Credit Suisse’s 2011 Annual Technology Conference on Tuesday, November 29, at 11:00 a.m. ET.

A webcast of each presentation will be available live and by replay. To access both the live and archived webcasts, as well as the slide presentation used during the conference, please go to cree and click on the Investor Relations link. The archived replays will be available 24 hours after the live presentation and will be accessible for two weeks.

About Cree, Inc.

Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications.

Cree’s product families include recessed LED down lights, lighting-class power LEDs, high-brightness LEDs, blue and green LED chips, power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices. Cree solutions are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, backlighting, electronic signs and signals, variable-speed motors, and wireless systems.