DOE Releases Funding Opportunity for SSL Core Technology Research (Round 4)
The US Department of Energy released the Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Core Technology Research (Round 4) funding opportunity on May 16, 2007. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, is soliciting applications from research organizations to perform high-priority Core Technology Research activities that will advance the technical knowledge base for SSL to be used for general illumination applications.
The release marks the fourth SSL Core Technology Research funding opportunity in a series expected to span a decade. Core Technology Research focuses on applied research needed to advance SSL technologies, providing problem-solving knowledge and data needed to overcome barriers identified in the Program Areas of Interest defined in the funding opportunity.
Lots of Different Whites 
Demand for warm white light for general lighting continues to be high. Osram Opto Semiconductors can supply LEDs to meet this demand. Its range includes not only high-flux light sources such as Golden Dragon and Ostar but also light emitting diodes that offer more subtle light such as Power TopLED and Advanced Power TopLED. All are available in different white tones and they all provide impressive color stability throughout their long lives.
The most powerful LEDs, the Ostar LEDs, provide an extremely pleasant warm white light, giving rooms a comfortable welcoming atmosphere. They comprise six chips, with the option of a matching lens. The 2 cm by 2 cm high-flux LED with lens provides 410 lm at 2,700°K, 460 lm at 3,000°K and 520 lm at 4,200°K, in each case from an operating current of 700 mA. Their power input is 15 W. The Ostar therefore operates at levels similar to those of halogen lamps and can be used for example in reading lamps.
Because the brightest LED is not always the best solution in general lighting applications, Osram offers LEDs in different output classes. Brightness is only one factor; others include the size and design of the luminaire and therefore also of the LED. Measuring 3.4 mm by 3.4 mm, Power TopLEDs are much smaller than Ostar and are not as bright, producing 2.9 lm at 2,700/3,000°K, 3.6 lm at 3,500°K and 4.1 lm at 4,200°K. They will fit in the smallest luminaires however, consume less energy at an operating current of 30 mA and cost less to purchase. With their subtle light they are well suited for decorative lighting, for example for starlight canopies and for contour, effect and stair tread lighting.
For applications that call for a luminous intensity and size between those of the Ostar and Power TopLED the Advanced Power TopLED and the Golden Dragon are suitable candidates. Whatever the application and whatever the design considerations there are appropriate LEDs in the required white tones. If these different white tones are mixed even more lighting moods can be created.
The new white tones bring typical LED benefits such as high luminous efficacy, long life, small dimensions and low energy consumption to general lighting. There are as many possible uses as there are different LEDs, ranging from domestic and shop lighting to decorative light.
Avago Technologies Introduces HB Warm White Through-Hole LEDs for SSL and Illumination Applications
Avago Technologies, a supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications, has released a new series of high-brightness warm white through-hole (TH) LEDs in a 5 mm round package for use in a wide range of solid-state lighting and illumination applications. Available in a several packaging options, Avago’s HLMP-Cyxx TH LEDs target designers of retail and commercial display lighting, as well as street and portable lighting applications.
Avago’s HLMP-Cyxx series of 5 mm round LEDs have been designed specifically to provide solid-state lighting and illumination application designers with a cost-effective, high-brightness performance LED solution that offers the flexibility of multiple packaging options to meet their design needs. These T 1-3/4 high intensity white LED lamps, which are based on InGaN material technology, are untinted and non-diffused and incorporate precise optics which produce well-defined spatial radiation patterns at specific viewing angles.
The HLMP-CYxx series are available in viewing angles of 15°, 23°, 30° and 50° respectively. Moreover, with their precision optical performance, selective wavelength binning and competitive pricing, these warm white LEDs are a suitable light-bulb replacement solution for a wide range of solid-state illumination and lighting applications.
Avago’s HLMP-CYxx series of 5 mm through-hole high-brightness warm white InGaN LEDs are priced competitively from $0.35 each in minimum quantities of 2,000. Samples and production quantities are available now through Avago’s direct sales channel and worldwide distribution partners.
Clearstone Technologies Releases the CF2000 LED Controller Power Supply
Clearstone Technologies, a manufacturer of advanced LED technology light sources, has launched the CF2000 UV-visible LED light source controller power supply. The CF 2000 combines programmable timed exposure, variable power setting and independent multiple head control for up to three LED heads, accessible via either front panel manual control or remote interface via a PC USB or RS232 interface.
The CF2000 is capable of driving up to three separate LH series LED heads, which are available at 365 nm, 395nm, and 455 nm, with maximum power output up to 2.5 W, 5.4 W, and 6.9 W respectively. The CF2000 is also capable of driving a single JL or LN Series LED Head, which support multiple wavelengths in a single head using modular arrays.
The remote access interface allows the CF2000 to be easily integrated into automated manufacturing and production processes. This will allow coordination with dispensing adhesives and coatings and pick and place equipment.
“Clearstone is proud to continue to expand the capability of LED based UV light sources with the CF2000. Like its siblings, the CF1000 and CT2000, the CF2000 offers a practical solution for consistent, low maintenance processing of light activated materials,” said Dr. Sahara, founder and CEO of Clearstone Technologies. “The long life of LEDs avoids the production disruptions associated with replacing traditional UV bulbs, while providing better process control through its stable output power, narrow output spectrum, and lack of excess heating. LEDs also eliminate the safety hazards from mercury contamination, UVC and UVB radiations, ozone creation, high temperature, high pressure, and high voltage associate with UV bulb systems.”
The CF2000 is also RoHS compliant, so it is ready for use on the international stage.
Optek Expands Family of Optically Coupled Isolators with Devices for 6 kV Isolation
Providing design engineers with an extended range of isolators for applications that require 6 kVDC electrical isolation, TT electronics Optek Technology has expanded its family of optically coupled isolators. Designated the OPI7000 series, the isolators consist of an infrared emitting diode coupled to an NPN silicon phototransistor or photodarlington. According to Bob Procsal, applications engineer for Optek Technology, the OPI7000 series isolators were designed to meet the needs of applications that require 6 kVDC electrical isolation. “In the new devices, the emitter and collector pin-out is reversed, providing direct pin for pin replacement of a variety of lower isolation voltage 4-pin dual in-line optocouplers,” said Procsal. “This allows the isolators to be mounted on existing PC boards designed with 4-pin dual inline packages rated for lower voltages, thus providing design engineers with an easy, inexpensive way to upgrade their existing circuit designs.”
The OPI7000 series isolators are well suited for applications that require high voltage isolation between input and output, as well as electrical isolation in dirty environments, including industrial, medical and office equipment.
The isolators feature an input-to-output isolation voltage of ±6 kV and a power dissipation rating of 100 mW. LED peak wavelength is 890 nm for the OPI7002 and OPI7010 devices and 890 nm or 935 nm for the OPI7320 and OPI7340 isolators. The OPI7002 and OPI7010 versions feature a current transfer ratio (CTR) of 20 percent and 100 percent, respectively, while the OPI7320 and OPI7340 versions with a photodarlington sensor feature CTRs of 200 percent and 400 percent, respectively. Operating temperature range is -40°C to 85°C.
The LED and sensor are enclosed in a high dielectric plastic housing and the 0.30 inch pin spacing is compatible with standard dual-in-line packages. Optek will also produce devices to meet specific customer requirements. Custom electrical specifications, wire and cabling, and connectors are also available.
Pricing for the OPI7000 series isolators is $3.25 each in quantities of 1,000. Lead-time, if stock is not available, is from 4 to 6 weeks.
New DuPont Solution-Based OLED Materials Set Delivers High-Performance at Lower Cost
DuPont Displays, a developer of OLED displays, has developed a new set of OLED materials that are designed for lower-cost solution-based fabrication methods.
The new material set, which includes all of the essential materials used in the construction of an OLED display, relies on DuPont HIL (hole injection layer) material and includes DuPont light emitting and charge transport materials. Combined with the novel DuPont manufacturing process, the new high-performance material set enables lower-cost, scalable manufacturing techniques.
“The OLED displays industry is under severe pressure to reduce manufacturing costs in order to compete with LCDs,” said William Feehery, global business director, DuPont OLEDs. “We are very excited that our new set of solution-based OLED materials, and the improved uniformity and reliability we’ve been able to achieve with our printing process, have the ability to overcome the cost barriers the industry has been facing. We believe that larger OLED displays can be manufactured at a cost of up to 30 percent less than today’s LCDs.”
Using this advanced solution-based materials set, DuPont Displays has also exceeded the reported performance of other solution-based OLED materials. DuPont Displays has measured accelerated lifetimes of the three primary colors that could translate in a display to 20,000 hours of white lifetime (which is extended by as much as five times when showing video) at a normal viewing brightness (200 cd/m2). At 1,000 cd/m2, the standard test luminance used in the industry, the DuPont materials have lifetimes (T50) of 14,000 hours for blue with CIE 1931 color coordinates of (0.14, 0.16), 230,000 hours for green with color coordinates of (0.29, 0.65), and 46,000 hours for red with color coordinates of (0.66, 0.34). In a review of widely available reports, these are the longest measured lifetimes for a solution material set with equivalent color coordinates.
Over the last 12 months, DuPont Displays has also made progress with the innovative solution-printing process announced last year. Using this proprietary process and specialized equipment, DuPont OLED materials were printed onto active-matrix thin-film transistor (TFT) backplanes supplied by leading TFT providers, and then protected from environmental degradation with DuPont Drylox encapsulation technology.
Lamina Unveils LED Replacement for Popular Halogen Bulb
Lamina, developer of the brightest commercially available LEDs, has released an LED-based replacement lamp designed as a direct, ready-to-plug-in retrofit for 20-watt MR-16 halogen and comparable compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The first of its kind, the Lamina SOL MR-16 integrates a high power LED light source, optical lens and thermal heat sink shell in a traditional MR-16 halogen form-factor. This innovative design, which fits most existing fixtures, produces as much light as the 20-watt halogen bulb it replaces, but consumes 6 watts of electricity.
Lamina SOL LED replacement lamps are designed to provide the quality of light produced by traditional incandescent lamps. Warm color temperatures of 3,050°K and color rendition index (CRI) values greater than 80 make these products suitable as halogen replacements. Higher color temperature lamp equivalents of 4,700°K are also available.
Lamina’s SOL MR-16 LED light engine offers a significant return-on-investment,” said Frank M.
Shinneman, president and CEO, Lamina. “With a lifetime of more than 50-thousand hours, the energy savings, replacement cost savings of traditional lamps and money saved in labor costs to replace burned out lamps can potentially add up to more than $700 per fixture.”
Adding to the value, Shinneman noted are the facts that the Lamina SOL MR-16 LED emits no heat (infrared) or ultraviolet radiation in its light beam, is readily dimmable and contains no mercury (as do fluorescent lamps) or lead. As are all Lamina LED light engines, the SOL MR-16 is fully compliant with the EU’s RoHS Directive restricting mercury, lead, cadmium and other hazardous substances. Pricing is expected to be less than $25.00 in OEM volumes.
Universal Lighting Technologies Introduces Signa LED Systems
Universal Lighting Technologies has released Signa LED systems, the latest addition to its family of sign illumination products. Signa LED systems are suitable for channel letters and other sign and backlight illuminating applications. LED systems are comprised of LED chains and drivers and are available in a variety of colors and sizes for all applications. By incorporating chip-on-board (COB) technology, Signa LED systems operate with a high level of reliable performance and efficiency.
COB technology allows LED chains to produce a broad 140° distribution of light. This minimizes hot spots and provides even illumination across the sign face, even with shallow letters. This self-cooling technology also provides excellent thermal management, better light output and longer life than surface-mount or wired LEDs. Patented phosphor technology ensures excellent performance with whites, resulting with a tight color tolerance that eliminates the need for sorting or binning.
Signa LED chains are flexible, allowing for easy module placement. The universal input voltage LED driver is provided with an enclosed housing and integral junction box. LED chains are available in a number of colors and whites to meet a variety of applications. Since Signa LED chains are available in a variety of sizes and configurations, application uses range from small, shallow letters to large, deep letters and linear lighting applications.
DDP Partners With the California Lighting Technology Center To Develop Energy-Efficient, Solid-State Architectural Lighting Solutions
DDP, a leader in engineered LED solutions, has partnered with the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) at UC Davis to support the development and implementation of energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures in general illumination applications. DDP’s collaboration with the CLTC is directed at enhancing LED architectural lighting technology, including residential and commercial, per Energy Star qualifications and California’s Title 24-compliancy legislation.
“We are leveraging our engineering capabilities to bridge the gap between LED technology and the needs of the architectural lighting community,” said Tony Toniolo, president of DDP. “The California Lighting Technology Center facilitates complementary partnerships with the goal of creating energy-efficient lighting technologies and products, particularly for architectural applications. Our partnership with the CLTC will aid in the development of next-generation LED lighting solutions for the architectural marketplace.”
DDP’s energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures reduce power consumption as well as maintenance costs by providing performance enhancements like reliability and longer life span.
DDP’s LED architectural products are available for retrofitting and replacing traditional incandescent lamps and can be designed to meet specific color and brightness levels per the specific requirements of an application. |
