USA: A study on the life-cycle assessment (LCA) of LED lamps by OSRAM shows the latest generation of lamps achieves a very high score for environmental friendliness.
This study involved a close look at their entire life-cycle –- how much energy and raw materials the lamp consumes in terms of production, use and disposal and the environmental impact involved in the process. The result was that today’s LED lamps achieve the LCA values of compact fluorescent lights and are far superior to conventional incandescent lamps.
In order to evaluate lamps and how they actually deal with energy and resources, it is not enough just to consider energy consumption while they are in use. The aim of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors’ LCA is therefore to analyse the environmental impact of an LED lamp over its entire life and to compare it with a compact fluorescent lamp and an incandescent lamp.
The relevant material and energy supplies were determined in detail for all the LED lamp’s components and production processes. Apart from a detailed analysis of each individual production stage, for LED chips and lamp housings, for example, these also include all necessary transports such as the transport of an LED lamp from its production site in China to its place of installation in Europe.
Apart from direct input of raw materials, the energy input, materials and emissions associated with the retrieval of resources are recorded. The results allow for conclusions not only on resource consumption and primary energy input but also acidification, eutrophication, the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion and toxicity.
The bottom line is that LEDs are efficient
In the first LCA, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors show that LED lamps are a genuine alternative to incandescent lamps, even when considering the cumulative energy input and environmental factors.
Often these fundamentally different lamps were compared based on their wattage. Conventional lamps with filaments are way behind diode lamps. A 40 Watt incandescent lamp, for example, can either be replaced by an 8W compact fluorescent light or, for some applications, by an 8W LED lamp, which means an energy saving of 80 percent.
In order to guarantee the comparability of results in the LCA, a lifetime of 25,000 hours was chosen as reference. The latest LED lamp generation (Parathom Classic A55 with Golden Dragon Plus LED) achieves precisely this rating. Therefore, 25 incandescent lamps (OSRAM Classic A 40W) with a lifetime of 1,000 hours and 2.5 fluorescent lamps (Dulux Superstar Classic A 8W) lasting 10,000 hours have to be used for a comparison.
Over 98 percent of the energy used to produce light
The study was done in collaboration with experts at Siemens Corporate Technology, Centre for Eco Innovations and shows that similar to compact fluorescent lamps with LED-based lamps over 98% of the energy used is consumed to generate light.
Less than two percent is allocated to production. This has dismissed any concern that manufacturing of LED particularly might be very energy-intensive. In contrast to the primary energy consumption of incandescent lamps of around 3,300kWh, LED lamps use less than 700kWh. The bottom line is that LED lamps are therefore definitely more efficient than conventional incandescent lamps.
Apart from this, the ratings that indicate the lamps’ effects on the environment are consistently better than those for incandescent lamps. As the efficiency of LED continues to increase, LED lamps will be capable of achieving even better LCA results in future.
Three independent experts are currently verifying the findings of the internal study. A summary of the study will be available in October at www.osram-os.com/life-cycle-assessment.
Showing posts with label OSRAM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OSRAM. Show all posts
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Global LED Industry Report, 2009
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global LED Industry Report, 2009" report to its offering.
The global LED industry clusters in Japan, EU and Taiwan. Japan ranks first, followed by Taiwan. The EU relies mainly upon Philips and OSRAM. In Japan, there are Nichia, Toshiba, Showa Denko KK, Sharp, CITIZEN and Toyoda Gosei, of which Nichia is specialized in LED. Besides, CREE is from the USA.
In mainland China, LED industry is dispersed, and thousands of LED manufacturers are mainly in the downstream to engage in LAMP packaging. The key packaging manufacturers consist of Xiamen Hualian, Foshan NationStar, Wenrun Optoelectronic, COTCO Luminant Device (Huizhou), Ningbo Hepu Optoelectronic, Jiangxi Lianchuang Optoelectronic, Tianjin Tianxing Electronic, Golden Valley Optoelectronics, Refond Optoelectronics, Ledman Optoelectronic, and Leadfull Optoelectronic, etc.
In the meantime, there are the key manufacturers like San'an Photoelectric, Dalian Lumei, Silan Azure, Epiligh Technology and Rainbow in LED upstream industry.
The LED downstream market can be divided into three parts, TFT-LCD backlight, lighting and signal or data display, and TFT-LCD backlight is the most significant market.
With the improvement of LED luminescence efficiency and cost reduction in 2009, LED has shown the great strength in the large-size sector. In the LED laptop field, the design of Dot typed light guide plate has replaced V-cut design, greatly reducing the cost.
The global LED industry clusters in Japan, EU and Taiwan. Japan ranks first, followed by Taiwan. The EU relies mainly upon Philips and OSRAM. In Japan, there are Nichia, Toshiba, Showa Denko KK, Sharp, CITIZEN and Toyoda Gosei, of which Nichia is specialized in LED. Besides, CREE is from the USA.
In mainland China, LED industry is dispersed, and thousands of LED manufacturers are mainly in the downstream to engage in LAMP packaging. The key packaging manufacturers consist of Xiamen Hualian, Foshan NationStar, Wenrun Optoelectronic, COTCO Luminant Device (Huizhou), Ningbo Hepu Optoelectronic, Jiangxi Lianchuang Optoelectronic, Tianjin Tianxing Electronic, Golden Valley Optoelectronics, Refond Optoelectronics, Ledman Optoelectronic, and Leadfull Optoelectronic, etc.
In the meantime, there are the key manufacturers like San'an Photoelectric, Dalian Lumei, Silan Azure, Epiligh Technology and Rainbow in LED upstream industry.
The LED downstream market can be divided into three parts, TFT-LCD backlight, lighting and signal or data display, and TFT-LCD backlight is the most significant market.
With the improvement of LED luminescence efficiency and cost reduction in 2009, LED has shown the great strength in the large-size sector. In the LED laptop field, the design of Dot typed light guide plate has replaced V-cut design, greatly reducing the cost.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Microvision signs agreement with OSRAM for green and blue lasers
REDMOND, USA: Microvision Inc. has entered into a supply agreement with OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH for the supply of green and blue lasers -- key components of Microvision’s PicoP display engine.
The announcement is the second Microvision has made in recent months regarding procurement of green lasers for use in the company’s PicoP display engine and accessory pico projector product called SHOWWX.
Following recent success commercializing its blue laser technology, OSRAM has fourth quarter commercialization plans for its green frequency doubled laser for use in Microvision’s PicoP display engine. OSRAM is one of the world's leading manufacturers of optoelectronic semiconductors for lighting, sensor and visualization applications.
“We see a significant market opportunity for pico projectors,” said Frank Moellmer, Vice President & General Manager, Business Segment Infrared of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.
“Our focused multi-year effort to develop efficient frequency doubled green lasers for consumer applications has positioned us to begin commercial production soon. We look forward to supporting the very large market opportunity offered by pico projection display technologies as developed by Microvision.”
“OSRAM has extensive laser development and manufacturing experience and we are pleased to leverage the significant progress the OSRAM team made in the development and commercialization of compact, high-speed blue and green lasers for our products," said Alexander Tokman, President and CEO of Microvision. “We look forward to continuing our strategic relationship with OSRAM to enable high volume PicoP based products and applications."
The announcement is the second Microvision has made in recent months regarding procurement of green lasers for use in the company’s PicoP display engine and accessory pico projector product called SHOWWX.
Following recent success commercializing its blue laser technology, OSRAM has fourth quarter commercialization plans for its green frequency doubled laser for use in Microvision’s PicoP display engine. OSRAM is one of the world's leading manufacturers of optoelectronic semiconductors for lighting, sensor and visualization applications.
“We see a significant market opportunity for pico projectors,” said Frank Moellmer, Vice President & General Manager, Business Segment Infrared of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.
“Our focused multi-year effort to develop efficient frequency doubled green lasers for consumer applications has positioned us to begin commercial production soon. We look forward to supporting the very large market opportunity offered by pico projection display technologies as developed by Microvision.”
“OSRAM has extensive laser development and manufacturing experience and we are pleased to leverage the significant progress the OSRAM team made in the development and commercialization of compact, high-speed blue and green lasers for our products," said Alexander Tokman, President and CEO of Microvision. “We look forward to continuing our strategic relationship with OSRAM to enable high volume PicoP based products and applications."
Saturday, August 1, 2009
OSRAM TopLED Black series LEDs for high ambient light conditions
SUNNYVALE, USA: The TopLED Black Series with lens from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is a range of medium-power LEDs mounted in an industry standard package but in matte black material.
The black package offers significantly higher contrast with lower reflectivity than comparable white-package devices without compromising overall luminous intensity. The TopLED Black Series is ideal for display applications where contrast is key for improved legibility, especially in high ambient light conditions.
The new TopLED Black Series with lens from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is the first TopLED in a black package that can achieve a typical luminous intensity of 1.9 cd (at 20 mA) and is to date the only LED in a black package that provides the same luminous intensity as a comparable LED in a white package.
Target applications include information displays for traffic and public transportation systems and price changing displays such as fuel price totem pole signs.
The new TopLED Black Series with lens offers high contrast and good legibility in all lighting conditions. Its black package ensures there is hardly any reflection from incident light. Displays equipped with black-body LEDs are therefore razor sharp even in strong sunlight.
The 60° beam angle of these LEDs has been optimized for display applications, so the light is focused for excellent distance legibility. They are ideal as a replacement for conventional through-hole radial light emitting diodes.
The TopLED Black Series will be available initially in red and yellow. They are equipped with a thin-film chip that guarantees high luminous efficiency in the black package. As “surface emitters”, thin-film LEDs emit almost all their internally generated light from their surface.
The new LEDs are SMT components suitable for automatic handling, and they provide high placement tolerances for highly uniform light dispersion.
The black package offers significantly higher contrast with lower reflectivity than comparable white-package devices without compromising overall luminous intensity. The TopLED Black Series is ideal for display applications where contrast is key for improved legibility, especially in high ambient light conditions.
The new TopLED Black Series with lens from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is the first TopLED in a black package that can achieve a typical luminous intensity of 1.9 cd (at 20 mA) and is to date the only LED in a black package that provides the same luminous intensity as a comparable LED in a white package.
Target applications include information displays for traffic and public transportation systems and price changing displays such as fuel price totem pole signs.
The new TopLED Black Series with lens offers high contrast and good legibility in all lighting conditions. Its black package ensures there is hardly any reflection from incident light. Displays equipped with black-body LEDs are therefore razor sharp even in strong sunlight.
The 60° beam angle of these LEDs has been optimized for display applications, so the light is focused for excellent distance legibility. They are ideal as a replacement for conventional through-hole radial light emitting diodes.
The TopLED Black Series will be available initially in red and yellow. They are equipped with a thin-film chip that guarantees high luminous efficiency in the black package. As “surface emitters”, thin-film LEDs emit almost all their internally generated light from their surface.
The new LEDs are SMT components suitable for automatic handling, and they provide high placement tolerances for highly uniform light dispersion.
Friday, July 31, 2009
LED industry of China and the World from 2009 to 2010
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Research Report on the LED Industry of China and the World from 2009 to 2010" report to its offering.
In the 1950s, RCA first found the infrared radiation of gallium arsenide in other semiconductor alloys. LED is a luminescence component made of semiconductor materials. The component has two electrode terminals. Voltage is applied between the terminals and electricity is switched on.
After the combination of electricity and hole, the remaining power is released in form of light. Different materials have different wavelengths and thus send out lights of various colors. This is the basic lighting theory of LED.
LED can only be applied in diodes that can send out visible light. The diodes that send out near-infrared radiation are called IRED. The diodes that can send out some ultraviolet radiation are called UVLED, and their emission peak wavelengths are near visible short wave length limits.
But generally, the above-mentioned three semiconductor diodes are collectively called LED. According to their different encapsulations, they can be divided into Lamp LED, Display LED and SMD LED. LAMP and DISPLAY belong to the mature market and their growing space is limited.
According to their different constituents, LED wafers can be divided into binary wafers (GaP, GaAS), ternary wafers (GaAlP, GaAsP), quaternary wafers (InGaAlP) and chloride wafers (GaN). Chloride wafers mainly include blue-ray, pure green-ray and white-ray wafers. They have different materials and manufacturing procedures. That LED can be so highly valued is also because of GaN materials.
The global LED industries are mainly concentrated in Japan, EU and Taiwan. EU is mainly dependent on PHILIPS and OSRAM. Japan has Nichia, Toshiba, Showa Denko, Sharp, Citizen and Toyota Gosei. Only Nichia produces mainly LED. But even Nichia, it has a high rate of phosphor business. America has CREE.
These areas have a very high industrial concentration of LED. The top three manufacturers account for over 80 percent, even 90 percent of the output values. The LED industry is comparatively scattered in Taiwan. But its top three manufacturers also account for nearly 40 percent of the output values.
Manufacturers in the mainland are most scattered and they are mainly concentrated in the Downstream. There are nearly 1,000 manufactures mainly doing the packing of LAMP with the lowest profits. Less than five manufacturers can do large-scale SMD packing and less than 10 manufacturers can produce large-scale outdoor LED displays.
There are less than 10 manufacturers producing in the upper course and most of them produce low-end binary red/green LED. The main packing enterprises are Xiamen Hualian, Foshan Guoxing, Jiangsu Wenrun, Huizhou Huagang, Shenzhen Guangliangzi, Ningbo Hepu, Jiangxi Lianchuang, Tianjin Tianxing, Lanfang Xingu, Shenzhen Ruifeng, Shenzhen Ledman and Zhuhai Leedfull (Hongke)
There are almost 10 scaled LED producers in Chinese mainland, among which there are five listed companies dealing with LED-related business. Only in Saman, Newmargin and Silan LED business accounts for over 10 percent.
In the 1950s, RCA first found the infrared radiation of gallium arsenide in other semiconductor alloys. LED is a luminescence component made of semiconductor materials. The component has two electrode terminals. Voltage is applied between the terminals and electricity is switched on.
After the combination of electricity and hole, the remaining power is released in form of light. Different materials have different wavelengths and thus send out lights of various colors. This is the basic lighting theory of LED.
LED can only be applied in diodes that can send out visible light. The diodes that send out near-infrared radiation are called IRED. The diodes that can send out some ultraviolet radiation are called UVLED, and their emission peak wavelengths are near visible short wave length limits.
But generally, the above-mentioned three semiconductor diodes are collectively called LED. According to their different encapsulations, they can be divided into Lamp LED, Display LED and SMD LED. LAMP and DISPLAY belong to the mature market and their growing space is limited.
According to their different constituents, LED wafers can be divided into binary wafers (GaP, GaAS), ternary wafers (GaAlP, GaAsP), quaternary wafers (InGaAlP) and chloride wafers (GaN). Chloride wafers mainly include blue-ray, pure green-ray and white-ray wafers. They have different materials and manufacturing procedures. That LED can be so highly valued is also because of GaN materials.
The global LED industries are mainly concentrated in Japan, EU and Taiwan. EU is mainly dependent on PHILIPS and OSRAM. Japan has Nichia, Toshiba, Showa Denko, Sharp, Citizen and Toyota Gosei. Only Nichia produces mainly LED. But even Nichia, it has a high rate of phosphor business. America has CREE.
These areas have a very high industrial concentration of LED. The top three manufacturers account for over 80 percent, even 90 percent of the output values. The LED industry is comparatively scattered in Taiwan. But its top three manufacturers also account for nearly 40 percent of the output values.
Manufacturers in the mainland are most scattered and they are mainly concentrated in the Downstream. There are nearly 1,000 manufactures mainly doing the packing of LAMP with the lowest profits. Less than five manufacturers can do large-scale SMD packing and less than 10 manufacturers can produce large-scale outdoor LED displays.
There are less than 10 manufacturers producing in the upper course and most of them produce low-end binary red/green LED. The main packing enterprises are Xiamen Hualian, Foshan Guoxing, Jiangsu Wenrun, Huizhou Huagang, Shenzhen Guangliangzi, Ningbo Hepu, Jiangxi Lianchuang, Tianjin Tianxing, Lanfang Xingu, Shenzhen Ruifeng, Shenzhen Ledman and Zhuhai Leedfull (Hongke)
There are almost 10 scaled LED producers in Chinese mainland, among which there are five listed companies dealing with LED-related business. Only in Saman, Newmargin and Silan LED business accounts for over 10 percent.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
OSRAM raises bar on LED performance for projection applications
SUNNYVALE, USA: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has expanded its LED portfolio for the projection market with two new LEDs, OSTAR Compact and OSTAR Power Projection. OSTAR Compact is designed for small, efficient systems in cell phones, PDAs and MP4 players.
OSTAR Power Projection is targeted at high-performance projection applications such as home cinema systems with displays of 70 inches and more. OSRAM’s LED portfolio now provides full coverage of the projection system range from 1W all the way up to 300W.
OSTAR Compact expands the OSRAM family of LEDs for small applications at the lower end of the performance range. It measures only 3.9 mm x 3.6 mm and is available in red, blue, green and white. These new small LEDs are cost-effective components, particularly for pico projectors for small mobile devices.
Manufacturers wanting very compact units can use a double-chip version that contains a red chip and a blue chip in one LED. This saves space compared with the usual configuration of three individual LEDs (red, blue, green). As an SMT component, the LED can be easily integrated into standard manufacturing processes. Integrated ESD protection diodes guard against electrostatic effects.
The OSTAR Power Projection LED brings a new dimension to projection applications delivering high performance and low thermal resistance. It can be operated at a maximum of 36A and produces light of impressive brightness. Typical values are 2700 lm in red, 3500 lm in green and an optical output of 13 W in blue.
While the dimensions of 45 mm x 25 mm seem large for a standard LED, the thermal resistance is only 0.77 K/W. This LED is suitable for all types of cooling, including water cooling. A uniform cooling system can therefore be used for all colors because the junction temperature is the same for all colors (125°C).
“LEDs will one day become the standard for all projection applications, including high-end applications,” said Wolfgang Schnabel, Marketing Manager LED Projection at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. “We are well positioned for this swift migration of LEDs into projection applications and offer several OSTAR LED versions, namely Compact (up to 25 W), SMT (10 to 40 W), Projection (25 to 70 W) and Power Projection (90 to 150 W), to cover numerous applications -– from cost-effective pico projectors to home cinema equipment as well as mobile projection systems for mid-range applications.”
OSTAR Power Projection is targeted at high-performance projection applications such as home cinema systems with displays of 70 inches and more. OSRAM’s LED portfolio now provides full coverage of the projection system range from 1W all the way up to 300W.OSTAR Compact expands the OSRAM family of LEDs for small applications at the lower end of the performance range. It measures only 3.9 mm x 3.6 mm and is available in red, blue, green and white. These new small LEDs are cost-effective components, particularly for pico projectors for small mobile devices.
Manufacturers wanting very compact units can use a double-chip version that contains a red chip and a blue chip in one LED. This saves space compared with the usual configuration of three individual LEDs (red, blue, green). As an SMT component, the LED can be easily integrated into standard manufacturing processes. Integrated ESD protection diodes guard against electrostatic effects.
The OSTAR Power Projection LED brings a new dimension to projection applications delivering high performance and low thermal resistance. It can be operated at a maximum of 36A and produces light of impressive brightness. Typical values are 2700 lm in red, 3500 lm in green and an optical output of 13 W in blue.
While the dimensions of 45 mm x 25 mm seem large for a standard LED, the thermal resistance is only 0.77 K/W. This LED is suitable for all types of cooling, including water cooling. A uniform cooling system can therefore be used for all colors because the junction temperature is the same for all colors (125°C).
“LEDs will one day become the standard for all projection applications, including high-end applications,” said Wolfgang Schnabel, Marketing Manager LED Projection at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. “We are well positioned for this swift migration of LEDs into projection applications and offer several OSTAR LED versions, namely Compact (up to 25 W), SMT (10 to 40 W), Projection (25 to 70 W) and Power Projection (90 to 150 W), to cover numerous applications -– from cost-effective pico projectors to home cinema equipment as well as mobile projection systems for mid-range applications.”
Thursday, May 28, 2009
OSRAM Opto focuses on energy-saving LED lighting solutions
SUNNYVALE, USA: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is a subsidiary of OSRAM, one of the two leading lighting manufacturers in the world. The semiconductor company’s strategy is summarized by its mission statement: “We shape the future of light –- with advanced solutions for illumination, visualization and sensing.”
As a leader in the initiative to deliver more eco-friendly lighting solutions, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors continually develops and delivers new, highly efficient light sources (LED and OLED) for today and tomorrow. These new technologies will play a significant role in reducing the amount of electricity used for lighting as a proportion of total energy consumption.
LEDs: Light of the future
At present, energy savings based on conventional lighting technologies include compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) with integrated electronics, advanced linear fluorescent lamps, halogen energy-saving lamps (HES) and high-intensity discharge lamps, together with advanced control gear and light management systems.
As the adoption of these more energy efficient light sources becomes more widespread in the coming years, the resulting energy savings will naturally increase.
In terms of technology, economics and politics, the current conditions are ideal for a paradigm shift to LEDs. Light emitting diodes have considerable potential for increases in brightness and efficiency, and can deliver even more potential energy savings than traditional light sources. Development work is ongoing and light emitting diodes are already penetrating the general illumination sector.
LEDs, called “the light of the future” by industry experts, are among the most energy-efficient light sources available today. LEDs can be five times more efficient than incandescent lamps, and are expected to be ten times more efficient in the future. LEDs are point light sources, and their directional light helps reduce light pollution, eliminating scattered, wasted light and delivering light precisely where it’s needed.
With artificial lighting accounting for approximately 19 percent of global electricity consumption (2.4 percent of primary energy consumption worldwide), replacing conventional light sources with efficient light sources such as LEDs could cut global electricity consumption for lighting in half.
Investing in eco-friendly solutions
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is continually investing in research & development and has established a wide-ranging scientific network for the development and production of eco-friendly lighting solutions.
In 2008, OSRAM launched a project at Lake Victoria in Kenya involving rechargeable batteries, solar power and energy-saving lamps. As this concept is developed further, it will be possible to use optical semiconductors to create even more efficient off-grid solutions.
For years, OSRAM has operated certified environmental management systems and complied with the relevant standards at all of its sites worldwide. This applies more and more in many areas of production, the selection of raw materials, purchasing and health & safety.
The company’s environmental management system meets the requirements of ISO 14001:2004 (the international standard for such systems, at all sites), and ensures compliance and continual improvement. This covers not only the technologies for chips and associated products but also the use of energy and resources.
When OSRAM expanded its headquarters in Regensburg, Germany –- site of the world’s most advanced optical chip fabrication plant -– it constructed new facilities and launched an energy program based on making the best use of heat, reusing waste heat and reducing the generation of new heat to the absolute minimum.
The heat generated in the fabrication process is reused (compressed air, process cooling water), and the use of solvents such as acetone has also been reduced. To date, through these initiatives alone, OSRAM has eliminated nearly 5.2 tons of CO2 emission each year.
Looking ahead
LEDs are already being used in an extremely wide range of applications. They are more than just “nice to have” and there is ample evidence that cost efficiency and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. LEDs combine sustainability with cost efficiency.
Double-figure growth is forecast for the LED market in the mid-term. As the technical performance of LEDs increases and their manufacturing costs decrease, LEDs will come to dominate more and more applications for which they offer significant energy savings and reduced overall costs. These applications include consumer electronics, automobiles, public sector/street lighting and solar energy applications.
As a leader in the initiative to deliver more eco-friendly lighting solutions, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors continually develops and delivers new, highly efficient light sources (LED and OLED) for today and tomorrow. These new technologies will play a significant role in reducing the amount of electricity used for lighting as a proportion of total energy consumption.
LEDs: Light of the future
At present, energy savings based on conventional lighting technologies include compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) with integrated electronics, advanced linear fluorescent lamps, halogen energy-saving lamps (HES) and high-intensity discharge lamps, together with advanced control gear and light management systems.
As the adoption of these more energy efficient light sources becomes more widespread in the coming years, the resulting energy savings will naturally increase.
In terms of technology, economics and politics, the current conditions are ideal for a paradigm shift to LEDs. Light emitting diodes have considerable potential for increases in brightness and efficiency, and can deliver even more potential energy savings than traditional light sources. Development work is ongoing and light emitting diodes are already penetrating the general illumination sector.
LEDs, called “the light of the future” by industry experts, are among the most energy-efficient light sources available today. LEDs can be five times more efficient than incandescent lamps, and are expected to be ten times more efficient in the future. LEDs are point light sources, and their directional light helps reduce light pollution, eliminating scattered, wasted light and delivering light precisely where it’s needed.
With artificial lighting accounting for approximately 19 percent of global electricity consumption (2.4 percent of primary energy consumption worldwide), replacing conventional light sources with efficient light sources such as LEDs could cut global electricity consumption for lighting in half.
Investing in eco-friendly solutions
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is continually investing in research & development and has established a wide-ranging scientific network for the development and production of eco-friendly lighting solutions.
In 2008, OSRAM launched a project at Lake Victoria in Kenya involving rechargeable batteries, solar power and energy-saving lamps. As this concept is developed further, it will be possible to use optical semiconductors to create even more efficient off-grid solutions.
For years, OSRAM has operated certified environmental management systems and complied with the relevant standards at all of its sites worldwide. This applies more and more in many areas of production, the selection of raw materials, purchasing and health & safety.
The company’s environmental management system meets the requirements of ISO 14001:2004 (the international standard for such systems, at all sites), and ensures compliance and continual improvement. This covers not only the technologies for chips and associated products but also the use of energy and resources.
When OSRAM expanded its headquarters in Regensburg, Germany –- site of the world’s most advanced optical chip fabrication plant -– it constructed new facilities and launched an energy program based on making the best use of heat, reusing waste heat and reducing the generation of new heat to the absolute minimum.
The heat generated in the fabrication process is reused (compressed air, process cooling water), and the use of solvents such as acetone has also been reduced. To date, through these initiatives alone, OSRAM has eliminated nearly 5.2 tons of CO2 emission each year.
Looking ahead
LEDs are already being used in an extremely wide range of applications. They are more than just “nice to have” and there is ample evidence that cost efficiency and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. LEDs combine sustainability with cost efficiency.
Double-figure growth is forecast for the LED market in the mid-term. As the technical performance of LEDs increases and their manufacturing costs decrease, LEDs will come to dominate more and more applications for which they offer significant energy savings and reduced overall costs. These applications include consumer electronics, automobiles, public sector/street lighting and solar energy applications.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Riot of color in compact package for large video screens
SUNNYVALE, USA: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has developed the smallest member of the RGB Multi ChipLED family to bring a new dimension of high-definition picture quality to large full-color video screens.
The Multi ChipLED enables high-resolution full-color video screens –- for example, in television studios, modern conference rooms, trade fairs and concert halls –- to offer brilliant colors and high contrast from all viewing angles. The tiny dimensions of this Multi ChipLED allow a very large number of pixels to be accommodated in a small display area. Housed in a black package that is mostly impervious to ambient light, the LED emits light in brilliant colors with excellent contrast.
OSRAM’s RGB Multi ChipLEDs are housed in a miniature package with dimensions of only 1.6 mm x 1.6 mm and measure just 0.9 mm high. With the RGB Multi ChipLED, it is possible to have a pixel spacing of only 2 mm, meaning that a great many pixels can be generated in a very small area. For example, an area of less than 10 m² is sufficient to display pictures in HDTV quality and accommodate more than 2 million pixels. A 2.5 x 4.0 m (98” x 157”) display 10 m (394”) in diagonal can achieve a system luminance of 1500-2500 cd/m², corresponding to around ten times the luminance of a conventional LED-backlit TFT LCD screen.
Perfect color mixing takes place in the Multi ChipLED package itself thanks to the specially developed encapsulation material. Color appearance remains constant across the entire viewing angle, and the picture appears vibrant even when viewed off-axis. The beam angle of the LED is +/- 60°. Ambient light cannot ruin the picture quality because it is barely reflected at all by the black package in which the LED is housed.
Inside the Multi ChipLED, there is a red chip, blue chip and a green chip fabricated using OSRAM’s ThinFilm and ThinGaN technology. If the RGB-LED is operated with a current of 20 mA, the individual chips produce typical luminous intensities of 250 mcd (red), 350 mcd (green) and 70 mcd (blue). The typical efficiency of this luminous intensity is 4 cd/W, which corresponds to a luminous efficacy of 12 lm/W.
The Multi ChipLED enables high-resolution full-color video screens –- for example, in television studios, modern conference rooms, trade fairs and concert halls –- to offer brilliant colors and high contrast from all viewing angles. The tiny dimensions of this Multi ChipLED allow a very large number of pixels to be accommodated in a small display area. Housed in a black package that is mostly impervious to ambient light, the LED emits light in brilliant colors with excellent contrast.
OSRAM’s RGB Multi ChipLEDs are housed in a miniature package with dimensions of only 1.6 mm x 1.6 mm and measure just 0.9 mm high. With the RGB Multi ChipLED, it is possible to have a pixel spacing of only 2 mm, meaning that a great many pixels can be generated in a very small area. For example, an area of less than 10 m² is sufficient to display pictures in HDTV quality and accommodate more than 2 million pixels. A 2.5 x 4.0 m (98” x 157”) display 10 m (394”) in diagonal can achieve a system luminance of 1500-2500 cd/m², corresponding to around ten times the luminance of a conventional LED-backlit TFT LCD screen.
Perfect color mixing takes place in the Multi ChipLED package itself thanks to the specially developed encapsulation material. Color appearance remains constant across the entire viewing angle, and the picture appears vibrant even when viewed off-axis. The beam angle of the LED is +/- 60°. Ambient light cannot ruin the picture quality because it is barely reflected at all by the black package in which the LED is housed.
Inside the Multi ChipLED, there is a red chip, blue chip and a green chip fabricated using OSRAM’s ThinFilm and ThinGaN technology. If the RGB-LED is operated with a current of 20 mA, the individual chips produce typical luminous intensities of 250 mcd (red), 350 mcd (green) and 70 mcd (blue). The typical efficiency of this luminous intensity is 4 cd/W, which corresponds to a luminous efficacy of 12 lm/W.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
OSRAM intros LED solution for street lighting
SUNNYVALE, USA: The Golden DRAGON oval Plus LED from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors provides ideal illumination for energy-efficient street lighting without the need for secondary optics due to the new integrated lens. Its oval radiation pattern delivers directed light, ideal for street lighting, and its integrated lens significantly reduces the overall effort for this application.
Golden DRAGON oval Plus has been developed as an ‘easy-to-use’ LED solution specifically for street lighting applications. With its unique oval beam characteristics (80° vertical, 120° horizontal) and integrated long-life silicon lens, it provides energy-efficient street lighting with minimal light pollution. The light is directed precisely on the area to be illuminated with no upward stray light.
Since different roads call for different lighting environments, Golden DRAGON oval Plus LED is available in various white tones with an efficiency of 90 lm/W in cold white (6500 K color temperature) and 80 lm /W in neutral white (5000 K).
The warm white version with a color temperature between 2700 and 4500 is ideal for any lighting scenario where a warm and welcoming atmosphere is required, such as in a historic city center. At 4500 K it achieves an efficiency of 65 lm/W and produces an aesthetically pleasing warm white light.
The main feature of the Golden DRAGON oval Plus LED is its integrated lens. The lens makes secondary optics unnecessary, while enabling street lighting applications to be realized with much less effort, delivering unprecedented application efficiency from an LED component. The LED is also suitable for standard solder processes.
“Our new ‘street lighting LED’ combines various lighting benefits in one innovative package. It is highly efficient, and has a long lifetime due to its silicone lens. Additionally, it offers good visibility at night because the LEDs can be arranged in the system to distribute the light accurately delivering light where it is most needed. This new light source also makes it easier to upgrade current systems to more efficient street lighting with LED technology,” said Dr. Markus Klein, Head of SSL Product Development at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.
The Golden DRAGON oval Plus is suitable for all applications that call for efficient lighting with a homogenous oval light pattern, particularly street and tunnel lighting. It meets all the requirements for homogenous illumination. The LEDs are also lead-free and mercury-free and therefore an ideal solution for the future of more energy efficient, environmentally friendly outdoor lighting.
Golden DRAGON oval Plus has been developed as an ‘easy-to-use’ LED solution specifically for street lighting applications. With its unique oval beam characteristics (80° vertical, 120° horizontal) and integrated long-life silicon lens, it provides energy-efficient street lighting with minimal light pollution. The light is directed precisely on the area to be illuminated with no upward stray light.
Since different roads call for different lighting environments, Golden DRAGON oval Plus LED is available in various white tones with an efficiency of 90 lm/W in cold white (6500 K color temperature) and 80 lm /W in neutral white (5000 K).
The warm white version with a color temperature between 2700 and 4500 is ideal for any lighting scenario where a warm and welcoming atmosphere is required, such as in a historic city center. At 4500 K it achieves an efficiency of 65 lm/W and produces an aesthetically pleasing warm white light.
The main feature of the Golden DRAGON oval Plus LED is its integrated lens. The lens makes secondary optics unnecessary, while enabling street lighting applications to be realized with much less effort, delivering unprecedented application efficiency from an LED component. The LED is also suitable for standard solder processes.
“Our new ‘street lighting LED’ combines various lighting benefits in one innovative package. It is highly efficient, and has a long lifetime due to its silicone lens. Additionally, it offers good visibility at night because the LEDs can be arranged in the system to distribute the light accurately delivering light where it is most needed. This new light source also makes it easier to upgrade current systems to more efficient street lighting with LED technology,” said Dr. Markus Klein, Head of SSL Product Development at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.
The Golden DRAGON oval Plus is suitable for all applications that call for efficient lighting with a homogenous oval light pattern, particularly street and tunnel lighting. It meets all the requirements for homogenous illumination. The LEDs are also lead-free and mercury-free and therefore an ideal solution for the future of more energy efficient, environmentally friendly outdoor lighting.
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