Technologies & Research

Trends | Research News | OLED | Display | Jan 17, 2022

Researchers Develop First Fully 3D-printed, Flexible OLED Display

In a groundbreaking new study, researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities used a customized printer to fully 3D print a flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. The discovery could result in low-cost OLED displays in the future that could be widely produced using 3D printers by anyone at home, instead of by technicians in expensive microfabrication facilities. Read more »

Research News | LEDs | White LEDs | Light Generation | Jan 29, 2021

KAUST Demonstrates High CRI Phosphor-Free InGaN-Based White LED

Daisuke Iida, Zhe Zhuang, Pavel Kirilenko, Martin Velazquez-Rizo, and Kazuhiro Ohkawaa from KAUST recently reported the growth of phosphor-free InGaN-based white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy. Read more »

Resources | LpR Article | Technologies | LED Drivers | Jan 13, 2021

How to Increase the Efficiency of Two-Stage Drivers

In this article, Dr. Weirich from Infineon Technologies, describes a simple method for increasing the efficiency of drivers that can operate with LED engines with a wide range of current and power levels, at virtually no effort. In addition, the method allows for using smaller inductors in the buck stage, leading to lower cost and potentially, smaller size. Read more »

Aledia Has Produced Its First Nanowire Chips on 300mm Silicon Wafers Using CEA-Leti Pilot Lines

Aledia, a French startup pioneering a disruptive technology for microLED displays, today announced it has manufactured the world's first microLED chips produced on 300 mm (12") silicon wafers. The company, which developed its breakthrough technology on 200 mm (8") silicon wafers over the past eight years, will produce the chips on both 200 mm and 300 mm wafers. The larger wafers provide better economic payoff and cost-effective integration with smaller-node electronics, which are only available on 300 mm silicon wafers. Aledia was spun out of CEA-Leti, a French research institute pioneering micro- and nanotechnologies, in 2012, and the work on 300 mm wafers has been performed by joint Aledia and CEA-Leti teams. Read more »

Research News | Environment | Health + Environment | Oct 30, 2020

Research Shows that Streetlights Contribute Less to Nighttime Light Emissions in Cities than Expected

When satellites take pictures of Earth at night, how much of the light that they see comes from streetlights? A team of scientists from Germany, the USA, and Ireland have answered this question for the first time using the example of the U.S. city of Tucson, thanks to "smart city" lighting technology that allows cities to dim their lights. The result: only around 20 percent of the light in the satellite images of Tucson comes from streetlights. The study is published today in the journal "Lighting Research & Technology". Read more »

LED Technology Shines the Light on Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Scientists estimate that nearly 60% of all cancer patients do not respond effectively to chemotherapy treatments. Even worse – many of those same patients experience toxic and sometimes deadly side effects. Now, a Purdue University scientist and entrepreneur is working to use simple LED light to help determine if certain chemotherapy options will work for specific patients. Read more »

Research News | HCL-Research | Office Lighting | Oct 23, 2020

Research Project Combines Dynamic Daylight and Artificial Light for a New Quality of Light for Work Environments

A new approach to lighting design and technology is the focus of the Double Dynamic Lighting project conducted by the renowned Aalborg University in Copenhagen, supported and accompanied by several leading lighting companies. The research team led by Prof. Ellen Kathrine Hansen is exploring the combination of dynamic daylight and artificial light in a spatial context and opening up a new dimension for architects and lighting experts in supporting individual needs and different working requirements. Read more »

Research News | OLEDs | PLEDs | Sep 28, 2020

EurekAlert - Annunces: Impurities Enhance Polymer LED Efficiencies

New research published in EPJ B reveals that the higher-than-expected efficiency of PLEDs can be reached through interactions between triplet excitons, and impurities embedded in their polymer layers. Molecular dynamics simulations have shown that the mysteriously high efficiency of polymer LEDs arises from interactions between triplet excitons in their polymer chains, and unpaired electrons in their molecular impurities. Read more »

Offline Lighting Voice Controller — An Alternative to Voice Assistants

The historical evolution of light control by users started with a mechanical switch followed by potentiometer and dimming, touch panels and touch screens, gesture and movement detection control, and ending with voice. Voice control are mostly online speaker independent like Alexa, Google Home and Siri. But there are privacy and security concerns. Filip Michalski, Electronic Engineer, and Cezary Skotak, CEO, from Cezos describe a speaker independent offline voice controls system, explain the technology and discuss the pros and cons. Read more »

ALLOS and KAUST Are Working on High Efficiency Nitride-Based Red LEDs on Si

ALLOS Semiconductors has engaged in a collaboration with Prof. Ohkawa and his team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) for realizing high efficiency nitride-based red LEDs on large diameter silicon substrates. In the collaboration the teams are addressing fundamental issues like the large lattice mismatch and the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE) which are preventing the adoption of red nitride-based LEDs for practical industry usage. In particular, for the emerging field of micro LED displays there is a strong demand to enable red LEDs on large diameter wafers in addition to the established blue and green color LEDs in the nitride system in order to reduce manufacturing complexity and cost. Read more »

Research News | IR | Health + Wellbeing | Jun 29, 2020

Australian Associated Press Recently Wrote: Red Light Could Improve Over-40s' Eyesight

A small LED torch that emits deep red light could help improve declining eyesight, scientists have said: A study by University College London, involving a small sample size of 24 people, has shown that staring at long wavelength light for three minutes every day can "significantly improve vision" in those aged 40 and above. Read more »

Touchscreens Are Going 3D with University of Bristol's Innovative New Spray-On Technique

Inspired by the way an artist creates graffiti on a wall and using a novel combination of sprayable electronics and 3D printing, the technique, called ProtoSpray, allows the creation of displays on surfaces that go beyond the usual rectangular and 2D shapes. Read more »

Printed Perovskite LEDs – An Innovative Technique Towards a New Standard Process of Electronics Manufacturing

A team of researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has succeeded for the first time in producing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) from a hybrid perovskite semiconductor material using inkjet printing. This opens the door to broad application of these materials in manufacturing many different kinds of electronic components. The scientists achieved the breakthrough with the help of a trick: "inoculating" (or seeding) the surface with specific crystals. Read more »

Research News | Technologies | LiFi | Jun 15, 2020

CEA-Leti Researchers Break Throughput Record for LiFi Communications Using Single GaN Blue Micro-Light-Emitting Diode

CEA-Leti today announced its researchers have broken the throughput world record of 5.1 Gbps in visible light communications (VLC) using a single GaN blue micro- light-emitting diode (LED). Their data transmission rate of 7.7 Gbps achieved with a 10 µm microLED marks another step toward commercialization and widespread use of LiFi communication. Read more »

Pushing Photons - Metasurface Design Methods Can Make LED Light Act More Like Lasers

UC Santa Barbara researchers continue to push the boundaries of LED design a little further with a new method that could pave the way toward more efficient and versatile LED display and lighting technology: In a paper published in Nature Photonics, UCSB electrical and computer engineering professor Jonathan Schuller and collaborators describe this new approach, which could allow a wide variety of LED devices — from virtual reality headsets to automotive lighting — to become more sophisticated and sleeker at the same time. Read more »

Executive Summary on "A Study on the Perception of Full Spectrum LEDs" Published

From a LED producer's perspective, it is essential to have knowledge about the perception of LEDs by human beings. To consolidate existing and gain new knowledge on recently introduced Full Spectrum LEDs, which claim to bring natural light quality into electric lighting appliances, the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (Germany) conducted a study in cooperation with three main LED manufacturers Nichia (Japan), Seoul Semiconductor (Korea), Toshiba Materials (Japan) and the LED gear supplier Lumitronix (Germany). Read more »

SSL | SSL-Research | Award | Dr. Shuji Nakamura | May 07, 2020

Congratulation, Shuji Nakamura for Another Prestigious Award – The 2020 NAS Award

On April 26, the 2020 National Academy of Science (NAS) Award for the Industrial Application of Science was awarded to Shuji Nakamura, a professor in the department of materials at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB). Read more »

Austrian Tech University Graz Revolutionizes 3D Metal Printing Using LEDs

A technology developed at Graz University of Technology uses LED instead of laser sources for the additive manufacturing of metal parts and optimizes 3D metal printing in terms of construction time, metal powder consumption, equipment costs and post-processing effort. Read more »

Fundings + Projects | Research News | Office Lighting | Health + Wellbeing | May 04, 2020

Repro-Light Consortium Announce Intelligent Workspace Lighting Concept

The pioneering design team at Bartenbach unveils a brand-new intelligent lighting concept set to revolutionize workspace personalization. It is set to deliver a truly user-centric, workspace lighting blueprint for lighting designers to transform workspaces for healthier living. The story began with Bartenbach's involvement in the Repro-light project consortium, funded through the European Commission's Horizon 2020 work program. The scope of the project, "To successfully initiate transformation in the European LED lighting industry, by creating the 'Luminaire of the Future'." Part of this remit was to develop a new customizable lighting system. Read more »

Environment | SSL | Health + Environment | Research News | Apr 06, 2020

Light Pollution Suppresses Melatonin Production in Perch

Melatonin controls the body clock – high melatonin levels make us feel tired in the evening. However, the hormone also plays an important role in animals' biological rhythms. Artificial light at night – light pollution – can suppress the production of melatonin in fish, even at very low light intensities, a finding established by researchers from IGB. Read more »

SSL | Technologies | Research News | UV | Disinfection | Apr 02, 2020

Seoul Viosys and SETi's Violeds Technology Proves 99.9% Sterilization of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in 30 Seconds

Seoul Viosys and Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. ("SETi"), leading global innovators of UV LED products and technology, announced that it has been successful in achieving 99.9% sterilization of coronavirus (COVID-19) in 30 seconds. Tests were conducted with the research group of Korea University, Korea's top rank university, by using a compound semiconductor Violeds technology that is being mass-produced. Read more »

SSL | Technologies | Light Generation | Mar 25, 2020

Advanced "Super-Planckian" Material Exhibits LED-Like Light When Heated

Could there be a new kind of light in the universe? Since the late 19th century, scientists have understood that, when heated, all materials emit light in a predictable spectrum of wavelengths. Research published this week in Nature Scientific Reports presents a material that emits light when heated that appears to exceed the limits set by that natural law. Read more »

SSL | Technologies | microLEDs | Displays | Feb 13, 2020

Compound Photonics and Plessey Create microLED Display Modules from Bonded Wafers

Compound Photonics US Corporation (CP), a leading provider of compact high-resolution microdisplay solutions for Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) applications, and Plessey Semiconductors Ltd. (Plessey), an embedded technologies developer at the forefront of microLED technology for AR and MR display applications, today announced they have produced the first fully addressable microLED display modules resulting from their previously announced strategic partnership to develop and introduce GaN-on-Silicon microLED based microdisplay solutions for AR/MR applications. Read more »

Transparent Material Considerations for UV Optics in Horticultural Lighting Applications

Advancements in UV LED technology have begun changing the horticultural lighting landscape. Research is still ongoing to discover the extent of benefits and best practices of using UV light in horticulture. Using optics in tandem with UV LED light systems can help reach performance goals and optimize growing. Although there are several UV- transmitting materials available, not all are equivalent or able to meet the requirements for UV applications. Justine Galbraith, glass engineer, and Sharayah Follett, market development manager at Kopp Glass, Inc. discuss the performance considerations of various UV-transmitting materials and how application challenges are addressed by integrating optical elements. Read more »

Flickering Light Mobilizes Brain Chemistry that May Fight Alzheimer's

For over a century, Alzheimer's disease has confounded all attempts to treat it. But in recent years, perplexing experiments using flickering light have shown promise. The promise of flickering light to treat Alzheimer's takes another step forward in this new study, which reveals stark biochemical mechanisms: 40 Hertz stimulus triggers a marked release of signaling chemicals. Read more »

ENABLED – A New Funded Research Program to Design Fluorescent Proteins for White LEDs

A joint research project between Spain, Italy and Austria will work to replace inorganic phosphor filters in LEDs by those nature uses deed down the sea. The ENABLED project, coordinated by the Spanish research center IMDEA Materials Institute, has a budget of € 2.7 million euros, will run for the next 3 years and is funded by the European Commission under the Future and Emerging Technologies programme. Read more »

Technologies | Light Generation | LEDs | Phosphors | Jan 22, 2020

Researchers from Hokkaido University Let Europium Shine Brighter

A stacked nanocarbon antenna makes a rare earth element shine 5 times more brightly than previous designs, with applications in molecular light-emitting devices. - The europium Eu(III) complex with nanocarbon antenna emitting fine red light. Read more »

Technologies | Horticulture | Standardization | Jan 09, 2020

Researchers Call for Greenhouses LED Lighting Standards

While LED lighting can enhance plant growth in greenhouses, standards are needed to determine the optimal intensity and colors of light, according to Rutgers research that could help improve the energy efficiency of horticultural lighting products. Read more »

Technologies | Micro-LEDs | LED Modules | Displays | Jan 09, 2020

SSC Develops World's First One Pixel Micro LEDs for 4K Resolution TV from 42" to 220"

Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd. (CEO Young Joo Lee) and Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (CEO Chung Hoon Lee), leading global innovators of LED and UV LED technologies, announced the new concept display, 'Micro Clean LED' at CES 2020, the biggest global consumer electronics and technology show, running from January 7th through January 10th. Read more »

Hella Announces Development of High-Resolution Lighting System Digital Light SSL|HD

With the new high-resolution lighting system "Digital Light SSL|HD", the lighting and electronics expert HELLA is making a further significant contribution to greater safety and comfort in road traffic. With this lighting technology, more than 30,000 pixels can be controlled intelligently and individually, thus bringing about numerous new safety functions like optical lane markings. Furthermore, original equipment manufacturers and end customers can use SSL|HD technology to implement and experience further options allowing enhanced individualisation, such as coming and leaving home animations as well as communication functions. Read more »