Slideshow: Rambus lights up GuitarMania

Even if you're not a guitar aficionado, chances are you've heard of Les Paul, the American Jazz and country virtuoso who invented the solid-body electric guitar that made the sound of rock and roll possible.Along with Les Paul's eponymous classic instrument, the Fender Stratocaster is the most popular electric guitar manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to present.This Memorial weekend, a host of 10-foot Fender Stratocaster guitars (60 of them!) showed up in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. Under a Greater Cleveland community public art project called GuitarMania, local and celebrity artists sculpted, decorated and painted these gigantic guitars.
Among the artists were engineers from Rambus, who built for this occasion a guitar illuminated with some of the most advanced LED lighting in the world.Efficient lighting helps preserve formations in Glenwood Caverns.In case you are wondering why on earth Rambus (Mountain View, Calif.) -- best known for the company's memory technology IPs (and sometimes for its aggressive legal tactics) -- is fooling around with psychedelic LED guitars, remember that Rambus is also deep into LED lighting technology development these days.In 2010, Rambus acquired technology and patents related to LCDs and optoelectronics from Global Lighting Technologies (GLT) for $26 million. Along with GLT's innovative LED edge-lighting technology for LCD TVs and general illumination, Rambus also hired its inventor Jeff Parker and his engineering team. Rambus' intention is to nurture the acquired technologies for further development.
In order to raise money for the Rock Hall and United Way's education funds, Rambus engineers built a 10-foot Fender Stratocaster replica with an irresistible blue glow.The engineers distributed the light from 280 LEDs over the guitar's surface with a combination of the company's lighting technologies known as MicroLens and edge-lit design."The advanced LEDs struck a chord," said Rambus. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is going to display the guitar in its lobby from Memorial Day to Labor Day as part of the GuitarMania fundraiser. Rambus officials couldn't help but add one more plug for its feat. "As an added bonus, the LEDs will last for about 25 years before needing replacement."As for the rest of the 10-ft Fender Stratocasters, they will be dispersed to the streets of downtown Cleveland, where they will stay for the summer. Then, on Labor Day weekend, they will be auctioned off to raise money for the United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Rock Hall's education programs.

PowerSecure Announces Awards for Over 25,000 of Its Energy Efficient LED Lights

PowerSecure International, Inc.today announced it has received new awards for over 25,000 of its energy efficient LED lights. The new awards include its new EfficientLights(R) walk-in cooler lights for retailers, and its SecureLite(R) Area Light for utilities. The lights for these orders are expected to be shipped primarily during the last three quarters of 2012, and the Company expects revenue from these orders to be approximately $5 million.
Retailers are investing in PowerSecure's EfficientLights technology because of its improved quality of light and powerful return on investment, including reduced energy and maintenance costs. Similarly, utilities are investing in PowerSecure's SecureLite technology because of the financial and operations benefits it delivers, including a better quality of light compared to traditional HID lighting, two-thirds reduction in energy usage, four-fold extension of light life, significantly reduced maintenance costs, and Dark Sky compliant design. SecureLite also incorporates PowerSecure's breakthrough dusk-to-dawn controls to maximize efficiency and reliability, industry-leading surge protection technology which surpasses industry standards, and "tool less" entry for easy maintenance.
Sidney Hinton, CEO of PowerSecure, said, "We are thrilled to announce these new LED lighting awards. Both our EfficientLights walk-in cooler lights for retailers, and our SecureLite Area Light for utilities are relatively recent product introductions which are seeing nice early traction in the marketplace. 2012 continues to be a year in which retailers and utilities are moving from 'testing' to 'adoption' of our new lighting applications -- driven by the compelling economic model and quality of light our products deliver." PowerSecure International, Inc. is a leading provider of Utility and Energy Technologies to electric utilities, and their industrial, institutional, and commercial customers. PowerSecure provides products and services in the areas of Energy Efficiency, Interactive Distributed Generation, and Utility Infrastructure. The Company is a pioneer in developing Interactive Distributed Generation(R) power systems with sophisticated smart grid capabilities, including the ability to 1) forecast electricity demand and electronically deploy the systems to deliver more efficient, and environmentally friendly power at peak power times, 2) provide utilities with dedicated electric power generation capacity to utilize for demand response purposes, and 3) provide customers with the most dependable standby power in the industry.

Efficient lighting helps preserve formations in Glenwood Caverns

At Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, the decision to install energy-efficient lighting was a home run both environmentally and economically.Owner Steve Beckley had known for years that the incandescent lights in the caves actually put out more heat than light, and that Kings Row, one of the most dazzling formations on the popular cave tour, was beginning to dry out as a result.The key to all of the caverns' strange and beautiful rock features ― not to mention the 54 unique species that live in the caverns ― is water, which percolates and drips through fissures in the stone.
Under normal circumstances, the temperature inside the caverns is a cool 52 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. If the drying were allowed to continue, Beckley explained, "You get a dusty, dry cave instead of a wet, living cave."Beckley had been waiting for an energy-efficient LED light to appear on the market that delivered the same warm glow as an incandescent without producing so much heat. He finally got his wish in the last year, and immediately began replacing the old bulbs. Of the 365 lights in the cave, he has so far replaced 287, just substituting new LED bulbs as the old bulbs die out.
The new lights are expensive, costing $30 to $50 apiece, but Beckley still expects to save roughly $12,000 per year when the changeover is complete.Lighting Science Group Lights Up Washington D.C. With Ultra-Efficient LED Street Lights.First, the new LEDs consume far less electricity. Second, they last about five times as long as the incandescent bulbs. So they don't need to be replaced as often, which involves employees scrambling over delicate features. Third, he will continue to have a wet, living cave for years to come."These lights are guaranteed for 10,000 hours apiece, so it's greatly reducing the labor cost of replacing the bulbs," he said.
Beckley spent roughly $11,000 on new LED bulbs, and was reimbursed a total of $5,000 as a combined rebate from the Garfield Clean Energy's Energy Challenge program and the Glenwood Springs Electric Department.By signing up for the program and working with energy coach Erica Sparhawk of Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), a Carbondale nonprofit that provides energy-oriented services to Garfield County residents and businesses, Beckley was able to tap into rebates he didn't know about previously. "The Caverns is an important part of the Glenwood Springs economy and has the ability to not only save money and energy, but use an efficient technology in a unique environment and preserve these caves for future generations," said Sparhawk.

Lighting Science Group Lights Up Washington D.C. With Ultra-Efficient LED Street Lights

Lighting Science Group, one of the world's leading LED lighting companies, today joined Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray and officials from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Department of the Environment (DDOE) to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the relighting project that will save the city tens of thousands of dollars each year in energy costs. Part of the Mayor's larger vision for a Sustainable D.C., Lighting Science Group's energy-efficient, long-lasting street lights have replaced old, inefficient lights and will cut the District's annual carbon dioxide emissions by 719 tons.
"Already results show these new light fixtures are saving energy -- 57 to 60 percent -- compared to the old mercury vapor and high pressure sodium lights," said Mayor Gray. "Imagine how much energy we could save if we expand this program to all 70,000 street and alley lights across the District. That would be a great down payment on a truly Sustainable D.C."Prior to the start of this project, in conjunction with Howard University Transportation Research Center, DDOT conducted a study and analysis of light emitting diode (LED) lighting products from a variety of vendors and manufacturers. The study involved the evaluation and analyses of photometric readings, fixture life, efficacy, aesthetics, color temperature, dimmability and compatibility with remote monitoring and control systems. At the conclusion of the Study, DDOT selected Lighting Science Group's PROLIFIC(TM) (LSG) LSR-2 LED street light as the preferred choice to replace the District's existing alley lights.
"When it comes to city planning, smart infrastructure saves lives and dollars," said Jim Haworth, chairman and chief executive officer of Lighting Science Group. "The Mayor's office, DDOT and DDOE are clearly united in their commitment to promoting both the safety and financial interests of District residents with their joint vision for a Sustainable D.C. Lighting Science Group is proud to play its part in bringing that vision to life. Our PROLIFIC Series roadway solutions offer notably longer-life expectancies than the District's existing lights and real reductions in maintenance and energy costs. With less glare and better illumination, uniformity, and color, the new LED street lights signal a true improvement for the District." The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) supported and funded the LED lighting project, under the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficient and Conservation Block Grant program. Eventually DDOT plans to install energy-efficient light fixtures throughout D.C., including all of its alleys, streets, bridges, tunnels and underpasses, pedestrian walkways, bike and running trails.

Led lamp price and quality of LED Belysning

Led lamp price is commensurate with their quality can be considered a lighting of the future. And no matter how loud it sounds, do not forget that the LED lampor is difficult to find an adequate substitute for the parameters of energy consumption, light output, duration of operation.What exactly is the advantage of led lamps cost of which may at first seem high compared with traditional bulbs? The advantage of such a device is directly lamps, which consists of a crystal through which a voltage, so that the crystal begins to glow. This design is simple, requires no bulky structures or moving parts.
I must say that the lighting based on the use of LED lamps is different, primarily from other types of coverage for its size in electricity consumption. LED lamps have a modest demand for electricity - they just 10.5 watts in order to significantly exceed the bulbs performance of competitors. Led bulbs cost which will be repaid later, are reliable, with a sufficiently long service life. The advantages of this type of lamp may also include compactness, insensitivity to strong mechanical shock and vibration.MSU to host national competition related to NASA satellite mission.In addition, for this type of lighting low temperature conditions and are not afraid, even the frost will not lead to the loss of their structural characteristics.
Lamps on the basis of the diodes are also of interest because they have no equal in matters of security, and comprehensive. In addition, they do not need a high voltage, their infrared and ultraviolet radiation is negligible, and the construction itself implies the absence of mercury vapor or other toxic substances, which confirms the safety of their use and further processing.Unlike fluorescent lamps, LED lampa does not contain mercury and other harmful substances and require special disposal and maintenance costs and replacement. Unlike incandescent lamps, LED lampor operate at 50 - 100 times longer and consume electricity in the 5 - 10 times less. Led lamps in our catalog have different purposes, different types of base color and glow. Led is getting more popular, they can be used in any sphere of life where you need high reliability and efficiency: in residential and public buildings, shopping centers and office, industrial and residential lighting.Lighting based on LED lampor is also interesting in that it provides an opportunity to play with color and light in a fairly wide range. Modern LED lampsor have a spectrum which is completely identical to that provided by fluorescent lamps. And if necessary, without additional filters, you can receive the light of other colors, which is especially important and effective in the use of LED lampor in multimedia and entertainment. Therefore, more and more professional equipment for the exhibition halls, discotheques or clubs produced by the LED lampor.