LEDTEC ASIA 2021

LEDTEC ASIA 2021: The Vietnam Trade Show for LED/OLED/Digital Signage

In Vietnam, LEDs were initially used in traffic lights and the advertising industry. However, with the raising awareness about the advantages, LEDs are now being used in various sectors such as residential lighting, street lighting, retail lighting, etc. According to a new report by Expert Market Research, the Vietnam LED lighting market reached a value of US$ 229 Million in 2018 and is further expected to reach US$ 461 Million by 2024. LEDTEC ASIA 2021 offers a platform where suppliers of various lighting solutions meet their buyers.

Increased LED Production and Demand

The production of LEDs in Vietnam has witnessed significant growth during the year 2014-2018, for a number of reasons. With the rising environmental concerns and increasing expenses on the generation of electricity, the Vietnamese government is encouraging the use of energy-efficient lights. The growing use of LEDs in high-tech products such as television, digital camera, smartphones, and automotive have also resulted in higher demand for LED lighting solutions in Vietnam. Moreover, urbanization, rising population, increasing disposable incomes represent some of the other factor which have further facilitated the market growth.

Picture: A cross-section of the LEDTEC Asia 2021 event wih the main sectors explained.

Asia-Pacific has several developing nations with rapidly developing economies. There have been large scale investments by major players, in various regional industries. In Vietnam, there exists cut-throat competition between the companies of the neighboring origin and large multi-national corporations trying to establish a foothold on the regional market. Technological advancements in the recent past have led to the development of OLED lighting that offer much clearer picture and are not very expensive, then the other available solutions.

The retail industry was expected to be the largest revenue shareholder in the display advertising revenue. Vietnam lags behind on the economic scale, as compared to the neighboring nations in the region, and is expected to witness significant growth in the near future, owing to the increasing interest of large conglomerates willing to enter the market and compete with local manufactures and enterprises for control over the market.

Why visit LEDTEC ASIA 2020?

LEDTEC ASIA 2021 is an excellent platform to start or evolve your lighting business in Vietnam:

– It is he Only LED/OLED Lighting & Digital Signage Show running in Vietnam;
– Established event in the LED market (launched 2012);
– Attractive buyer profile: multiple sectors, including top 100 buyers in the market;
– Recurring visitors: Continuous Updates to Exhibitors / Buyers of previous shows;
– Display of latest trends and technology on the market.

More information on accessibility, travel, and access of the show is available via the event website.

Lightly Hikari: Ultra-thin Planar LED Light Sources inspired from a Parallel Universe

Once considered the rising star of the lighting world, OLED has contributed more to elevating lighting design to an art form than any other single component. A recent article in LED professional Review explores the advantages and disadvantages of OLED lighting technology, and a potential successor that recently arrived to carry on the ultra-thin design movement that it has inspired: the Lightly Hikari SQ. Following previous mentions about the Hikari LED modules elsewhere on this blog, in this post we unveil the new technology in more detail, especially in its relation to OLED. Why is OLED not more prolific? And what does the arrival of Lightly Hikari SQ mean to it?

OLED – Arrival and Struggles

When OLED appeared on market back in 2012, the vision, as with any emerging tech, was to enable mainstream adoption of the technology over time as the price decreased and performance improved. Global market leaders saw the potential for OLED technology to be used across a range of lighting applications. While planar lighting was not new, in contrast to the high-intensity, point light source of LEDs, OLED modules produce a native surface light source. This makes OLED ideal for diffuse, low-glare lighting designs; a more sophisticated, ultra-thin alternative to LED.

The ultra-thin profile of OLED modules has been used to great effect in creating unique luminaire designs where the light source is a design feature in itself. Equally, the flat surface of OLED modules offers the additional benefit of creating the appearance of a recessed light source when surface mounted without the need for the same level of structural integration more commonly associated with traditional recessed light fixtures.

OLED has also enabled the development of new styles and applications for automotive and aviation lighting where reduced volume and mass is a benefit and new technology is seen as a valuable differentiator between competing brands. In addition, mirror reflective surfaces in the off state, transparent in the off state and flexibility were all possibilities that added to the excitement around the great potential for this new technology. Despite OLED’s aesthetic virtues, the technology has struggled to achieve the optical performance, lifetime and commercial viability of LED;

LED vs. OLED: The Competitive Edge

High production costs and inferior performance, when compared to LED technology, have resulted in a cost per lumen that, to this day, remains an order of magnitude greater than its LED equivalent. As a consequence, the application of OLED technology in lighting design has been largely limited to art installations and prestige luminaires where cost and performance are less critical considerations than the visual impact and exceptional design that OLED enables.

By 2017 Philips and Osram had divested their OLED R&D business units. More recently the closure of LG Display’s OLED lighting division has left OLEDworks as one of the few remaining companies pursuing decorative lighting applications. This raises the question about the future of OLED and if there is a practicable substitute on the horizon.

Inspiration from a Parallel Universe

While OLED’s runway as a light source may be coming to an end, the designs that it inspired have left an indelible mark on the lighting industry. From OLED, a new style was born. It opened up an opportunity for a new tech solution to fill; an ultra-thin light source that did not compromise on performance. The Japanese art of chindōgu involves combining products that are completely unrelated to create inventions that are wonderfully unusual. A convergence of ideas from two parallel universes; smartphones and lighting design, inspired a journey to create an ultra-thin light source with the performance, manufacturing and commercial advantages of LED while maintaining aesthetic qualities that, until now, were limited to OLED lighting designs.

A paradigm shift was needed in how the OLED module appearance and form factor was created, as the desire was for ultra-thin surface light sources, not necessarily for a light source that uses OLED technology. Finally, the solution to OLED’s stagnation was found in its predecessor, LED. The market interest had been created by the OLED manufacturers, but this did not mean that OLED was the right technology for the commercialization of ultra-thin light sources.

The engineering skills gained at Philips Lighting and inspired by advanced smartphone display technologies at Apple combined with a determination to deliver a commercially viable and functional solution led to the development of an ultra-thin light source with the performance, manufacturing and commercial advantages of LED.

Reviving the OLED Vision

One of the core ambitions in the development of this technology was to broaden the potential applications for ultrathin lighting. While OLED lighting had its foundations in decorative luminaires, the opportunity for the new product was to achieve a functional light output that delivered useable lux levels on the working surface.

The first Hikari SQ product generation produces up to 450 lm from a 100×100 mm module with an optimum balance of light output and visual comfort and low glare. This lumen density has opened up new applications for ultrathin lighting designs such as open-plan office lighting and functional hospitality lighting.

Ultra-thin Surface Light Sources

This new technology fulfills the promise of OLED by enabling unique, visually impactful lighting designs while at the same time providing functional levels of light. This combination of functionality and form has already captured the imagination of the automotive and aviation industries along with the more traditional hospitality and residential lighting applications.

Lightly Hikari Benefits & Opportunities

The arrival of the ultra-flat yet powerful Lightly Hikari modules offer general lighting segments a different way of approaching design and a way to overcome the inconveniences of applied OLED technology:

• Manufacturers of lighting systems can upgrade existing product lines with high performance, commercially viable, ultra-thin lighting engine;

• The industry can benefit from a lightweight, uniform surface of light for interior and exterior lighting products;

• Decorative and architectural lighting designers enjoy maximum creative freedom without having to compromise on form or function.

Conclusion

The OLED technology is an exciting feat of engineering. As the technology has industrialized over the last 10 years it has enabled thinner display panels, richer colors and deeper contrast. In the Lighting industry, OLED has created an awareness of the opportunities for ultra-thin, surface light sources, with both the design freedom and low glare, high-quality light that it provides. The research and development investment into OLED technology has paved the way for the future of displays technology, but perhaps not the future of lighting. As major lighting companies have withdrawn from OLED, a market opportunity has emerged: a desire for modern, elegant lighting design with ultra-thin, surface modules, but with the performance benefits that can only be found in LED.

OLED lighting created a new generation of lighting design but, by shifting the paradigm of how this is engineered, a new technology based on LEDs can fulfill this exciting opportunity across multiple industries and applications. By reaching beyond the normal circle of innovators, advisers, and creatives for solutions to challenges and opportunities that could not
be found within existing lighting technologies. This new technology and product breathe new life into a design movement that was created by OLED but will flourish with LED.

Sources:

This article was kindly inspired by Lightly Technologies and based on the recent publication titled ‘Inspiration from a Parallel Universe: Reviving the
Vision of OLED’ in the LED professional Magazine Jubilee Issue #75.

Hikari SQ: The Evolution of Light

Hikari SQ: OLED Appearance with the Performance of LED

Hikari SQ are a range of ultra-thin LED light modules that enables luminaire manufacturers and lighting designers to create exceptional experiences with light. Developed with luminaire manufacturers and lighting designers in mind, Hikari makes it easy to bring your ultra-thin concepts to life.

Unique Luminaire Design

With a diffuse, low-glare light output, Hikari provides functional light in decorative applications. The module is lightweight, easy to install and requires no additional optics or heatsinks.

The distinctive, elegant form of Hikari light sources enables a new generation of luminaire design.

More information on this very promising novel designer concept is available on the manufacturer website: https://lightly.tech.

Carpetlight: State of the Art Lighting Technology combined with Textiles

Carpetlight: Fusion of Light Technology and Textiles

Carpetlight, founded by Götz Schmidt zur Nedden and Till Sadlowski and based in Hamburg, Germany, finally found a way to offer customized flexible lamps in any size with any combination of LEDs to lighting professionals. The brilliant product reaches brightness and color rendering indices that have never been achieved before.

Freeform Lighting – Finally Scaleable

On the contrary to other smart-textile technologies currently used in design and fashion which are merely glimmering or decorative fabrics, Carpetlights´s novel product delivers a luminous output high enough to light whole objects and rooms. The lighting system comes in predefined packages for scene-, film- and stage lighting, but is even great for any custom architectural application, both in indoor and outdoor environments.

Different groups from the lighting profession have been dreaming for a while of truly flexible light sources. Initially, OLED lighting was promoted as the best future solution, but meanwhile, quite a few alternatives such as flexible- and planar lighting solutions appeared on the market.

Live on Stage at LpS 2016

We had the honor to spot the flexible system at LpS2016 in Bregenz, Austria and see the technology live demonstrated. Here’s a brief show demonstration video:

By the way, there are more interesting topics found in the the LpS 2016 Review.

Carpetlight: Lightweight – Flexible – Versatile and Efficient

The lighting system is lightweight, flexible, versatile, efficient and can be adapted to any desired form or function by folding, rolling, crumpling, hanging, wrapping, hooking or stretching it. The product is excellent for use at fashion shows, exhibitions, architectural applications, interior design or archeological excavations.

More information on the interesting concept can be found on the company website, or just visit Carpet Light in our “Inspiration” corner.

Pictures in this post are sourced from the Carpetlight website.

OLEDs World Summit 2016

OLEDs World Summit 2016: Bringing Together the Global OLEDs Community

For almost twenty years now, the OLEDs World Summit has served as the annual homecoming for the lighting and display sectors. The Summit brings together  the industry’s leading companies to discuss the latest advancements, find business solutions and network during the two-days of programming. The OLEDs World Summit 2016 is the place to be to get all of your questions answered.

Flexible OLED Lighting

Likely, you would like to know about the latest advancements in flexible OLED lighting, technical hurdles, performance indicators and more; hear the perspectives of the Lighting Designer regarding what they’re looking for. Or perhaps you want to hear form the industry’s leading executives on their vision for commercialization. Alternatively, you’re new to the industry and need a comprehensive overview of the key players and issues.

Following a succesful OLEDs World Summit 2015, the 2016 edition is again the place to be to answer all your questions, featuring dynamic presentations in this years program:

♦ New planar lighting Applications with OLEDs
♦  Dynamic TV Market
♦  Ultra Flexible, Foldable & Wearable OLED
♦  OLED Lighting Designer Perspectives

… and much more!

Finally, you can register your interest at the event web page to ensure you receive all of communications about the OLEDs World Summit 2016.

LG Displays flexible OLED at Light+Building 2016

LG Display: OLED as Flexible, Transparent, Mirroring and Modular Solutions

LG Display recently showcased its latest advanced OLED light products and solutions at Light+Building 2016 from March 13th to 18th in Messe Frankfurt, Germany. A variety of different OLED shapes and sizes (eleven in total) of OLED light panels were exhibited along with four solutions using the panels: the LG Flexible OLED Solution, Transparent Connection Solution, Mirror Solution and Module Solution.

LG OLED: Design Flexibility and Supreme Light Quality

At the show, LG Display highlighted the main advantages of OLED light. They include not only the very design flexibility that makes the product suitable for a variety of architetural applications and venues, but also its supreme light quality which is closest to natural light, thereby making people feel comfortable and reducing eye fatigue. LG Display showcased possible applications of OLED light panels at high-end retail store, hospitality and office.

Natural Illumination and Enthusiasm all Around

The 2016 Light+Building exhibition was a great success for LG with many positive reactions from the visitors. More importantly, the natural illumination of OLED light and the design flexibility enthused the lighting designer and lighting architect that were around at the Frankfurt exhibition.

LED professional Symposium (LpS 2016)

LpS 2016 – Symposium and Expo for Lighting Professionals

Following the succesful events LpS 2013, LpS 2014 and LpS 2015, the next LpS 2016 is Europe’s foremost LED & OLED Lighting Technology Event for people in industry and research who are involved in the design and engineering for future LED lighting systems in the fields of general, industrial and architectural lighting. 

LpS 2016 – Expo + Symposium for Lighting Professionals

The LED professional Symposium + Expo will take place from September 20-22 for the sixth time and has established itself as an international point of reference for technical lighting professionals dealing with LED and OLED lighting components, modules and systems in the field of general lighting. In-depth discussions will take place and trends, innovations and new products will be examined.

LpS 2016: Smart Technologies for Lighting Innovations

The main focus of the symposium will be on Smart Technologies for Lighting Innovations and novel price winner Prof. Shuji Nakamura will be one of the keynote speakers. The Call for Papers for the LpS 2016 will open at the end of October, 2015. More information at www.LpS2016.com/CfP.

The combination of a three-day multi-disciplinary symposium, workshops, networking possibilities and an international exhibition is the perfect opportunity to explore sophisticated semiconductor lighting.

More information available at: http://www.led-professional-symposium.com/

LunaLEC Liquid Light Concept: Light Made Easy

LunaLEC Liquid Light: Enhancing the Next Generation Packaging, Illumination and Signage

In the scientific community, the LunaLEC liquid light concept is known as the Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cell (LEC). From a distance and a layman’s perspective, this technology is very similar to the Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), as both technologies use a flat planar lighting structure in which the light-emitting organic layer is sandwiched between two conductive electrodes.

The LEC Theory – Basic Functions

The LEC only needs one active layer (AL) positioned between two electrodes in a “sandwich structure”. Both electrodes and the AL can be deposited from solution in ambient condition:

The LEC’s Basic Function: Sandwich Materials

The active layer is a blend of active components dissolved in solvents, which solvents are optimized for different deposition techniques. The active components in the active layer are a fluorescent and semiconducting “conjugated polymer” and an electrolyte (dissolved salt).

LunaLEC coloured ink before deposition

In-situ doping: opportunities for the LEC-technology

Utilizing ‘In-situ doping – i.e. dopant atoms are introduced into a semiconductor during its growth. Most commonly, this takes place during epitaxial growth of semiconductor layers. This proces brings enhanced possibilities for LEC technology:

(1) Recombination of electrons and holes in the devices is very efficient.
An efficient recombination of electrons and holes leads to only a small need for over-potential to drive the light-emission. It comes with a low turn-on voltage, i.e. 3-6 VDC for all emission colors;

(2) Functionality of the electrodes is not critical for the injection of electrons and holes.
As opposed to other lighting technologies, LEC devices can utilize air-stable electrodes for both cathode and anode. It means that there is no need for a clean room environment or vacuum to deposit the electrodes. From a solution perspective, there are also possibilities to use electrodes;

(3) Self-Adjustment of Layers
The doping layers will self-adjust to a common distance between n-front and p-front throughout the device regardless of the variations of thickness of the active layer. It is also possible to utilize 3D printing methods with uneven deposition;

(4) Energy Efficient Operations
With triplet harvesting most of the energy most of the energy supplied is used in the efficient recombination of electrons and holes.

LunaLEC Liquid Light Technology: first sample parts

LunaLEC was founded in 2012 in order to develop lighting panels from the LEC-research performed by professors Nathaniel Robinson at Linköping University and Ludvig Edman at Umeå University. Here’s a small movie showing the first samples of LunaLEC liquid light technology, as prepared for its Printoo campaign:

At Lighting-Inspiration.com we keep following this newborn lighting technology with great interest and are curious to see how it will establish itselves within the rising potential for planar lighting technologies in the next decade!

OLEDs World Summit 2015

“OLEDs World Summit 2015: Solutions to the Biggest Lighting Challenges – Find the Answers you’re looking for”

Maybe you need to get up-to-speed on the latest advancements in flexible OLED lighting, technical hurdles, performance indicators and more? Or get perspectives from lighting designers about what they’re looking for? Or perhaps hear from the industry’s leading executives on their vision for commercialization? Or maybe you’re new to the industry and need a comprehensive overview of the key players and issues? Come to OLEDs 2014 to gain skills and knowledge that you can apply as soon as you return to the office.

OLEDs 2015 – Learn from the Best and make Valuable Connections

At OLEDs 2015, you’ll hear from the most creative and experienced minds in both lighting and displays, including material developers, researchers, designers, manufacturers and end-users. What sets them apart is their passion for OLED technology and willingness to share their expertise. The people you meet at the OLEDs World Summit may be the most valuable connections in your career.

The latest R&D, Technologies & Trends

At this year’s Summit, you’ll see first-hand what others are working on – from academia to the world’s most successful companies. You never know when a speaker or fellow attendee will pull a new exciting piece of technology or application out to share!

“30+ industry leaders to focus on OLED lighting, displays and new applications”

OLEDs 2015 will continue its long history of bringing the international OLED community together – connecting academics and R&D professionals with the foremost market analysts in the industry and those who are focused on bringing OLEDs into the commercial market.

The edition of the OLEDs World Summit 2015 will return to the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa in Berkeley, CA for September 16-18, 2015.

OLEDs World Summit 2014

The OLED industry is growing exponentially, with more and more novel applications being developed for commercial use. Concepts to be covered include new visual devices, breakthroughs in flexible backplane technology, mobile and wearable devices, and novel developments in organic electronics research that will have both immediate and long-term uses in new commercial products for the display and lighting industries.

The OLEDs World Summit 2014 will explore some of the more promising technologies currently in development, and help define a path towards commercialization. Join on September 16-18, 2014 at the The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa in Berkeley, California, a beautiful location just outside of San Francisco!

LED professional Symposium + Expo 2014 (LpS 2014)

Lps 2014: 4th International LED professional Symposium + Expo “Design and Engineering for Future LED Lighting Systems”

It isn’t only the general lighting market that is being fundamentally changed by Solid State Lighting technologies; it’s the whole lighting industry. Predictions for the next five to seven years are that we’ll see more LED/OLED performance increases along with continuous price declines. The LED professional Symposium + Expo 2014 (LpS 2014) addresses the challenges of phasing out old technologies and ramping up new technologies. Profitability is key to survival in this volatile environment.

The OLED Handbook: your guide to Technology, Industry and Market

Still struggling with the relevance of OLED for your new product portfolio? Still not sure about the opportunities with this new LED light source? OLED-Info.com recently present “The OLED Handbook” to help you out and provide you with a comprehensive guide to OLED technology, industry and market.

OLED Technology
OLED technology enables thin, efficient, flexible and bright displays and lighting panels, and is on track to revolutionize the display and lighting industries. While reading this handbook, you’ll learn all about:

* OLED technology, materials and production processes
* How OLEDs compare to LCD displays and LED lighting
* What kind of OLED panels are available on the market today
* What are the obstacles on the way for cheaper OLEDs
* Samsung’s Super AMOLED and LG’s OLED TVs
* The future of OLED displays and lighting and the challenges ahead

Complementary, the OLED Handbook also provides:

* A history of OLED development
* A guide to OLED investment
* A comprehensive list of OLED companies
* An introduction to other emerging display technologies (such as quantum dots and pico-projectors)
* A list of existing and planned AMOLED fabs
* OLED lighting roadmaps

The book was written by Ron Mertens, founder and editor-in-chief. Ron has been following OLEDs since 1998 and established OLED-Info, the web’s leading OLED portal, in July 2004.

Highly recommended for lighting professionals that are seeking a way to adopt OLED to enhance their current or future product portfolio!

More information and ordering at: http://www.oled-info.com/handbook/

3rd China OLEDs Summit 2014 Review

Organized by DEMAND-LED, The 3rd Annual China International OLEDs Summit 2014 has been successfully held at Crowne Plaza Shanghai on January 20-21, 2014 in Shanghai, China.

The event gathered about more than 150 high profiled speakers and delegates from worldwide leading companies, organizations and academies. More info: http://www.oledssummit.com/

On conference day one, top elites from OLED Association, Bardsley Consulting, UBI Research, Acuity Brands Lighting, Fraunhofer Institute, Philips Technologie GmbH, First O-Lite, Opple Lighting, Hitachi Research Laboratory, Osram have made excellent presentations and shared their views on the innovative technology, which has a profound significance to the development of the Energy Harvesting industry.

On conference day two, top elites from VISIONOX, Merck, Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd, BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO,LTD, Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment Co., Ltd, Beneq Oy, First OE – Tech, Inc, Shanghai Tianma AMOLED Co., Ltd, Everdisplay Optronics (Shanghai) Limited have shared their real-life experiences and cases with insight into the OLEDs development, market trends, as well as technology innovation.

The event provided a powerful platform for sharing information with numerous networking opportunities. Most of the attendees have regarded this opportunity as a valuable one and have expressed their interest in attending the 4th Annual China International OLEDs in 2015!