OLEDs are hitting their stride this year in all segments

OLEDs are finally living up to their long-promised potential and the next few years will present plenty of opportunities for organic light emitting diode materials suppliers to break out of their niche, specialty status.

That's according to a new report by market research firm NanoMarkets.

The growth of Samsung's Galaxy smartphone products have exceeded iPhones in the first quarter of 2012. What's more OLED TVs from both LG and Samsung are entering the market this summer and fall, and other manufacturers are likely to follow in the near term.

OLED TV street price for 55 in. sets are expected to be $8,000 when launched in Q3’12, according to Paul Semenza, Senior Vice President at DisplaySearch. At a Society for Information Display presentation Semenza remarked that "by 2014, if the 55 in. OLED TV price can be reduced to $2,500, it will be similar to current high end 55 in. LCD TV.

Overall, Semenza said the flat panel display industry "has never been as unprofitable or so dynamic." The extremely challenging financial environment is forcing companies to sell facilities, form new alliances and push differentiating technologies to market as soon as possible, "as the industry finally begins to right itself by 2013."

At SID, Barry Young, Managing Director, of fhe OLED Association, in his presentation concurred that OLEDs are on a growth curve: "The number of OLEDs has increased from 75 million in 2009 to 100 million in 2011 and is projected to double again in 2012."

Young also gave revenue figures. "The revenue grew from less than $1 billion in 2009 to more than $3.5 billion in 2011 and is projected to reach more than $8 billion in 2012."

At SID, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, a research paper by NthDegree Technologies previewed how OLEDS might be printed en masse in the future. The authors detailed a new form of inorganic printed electronics that overcomes many of the problems associated with current printing electronics methods.

They illustrated their approach by describing a solid state lighting (SSL) device based upon a standard InGaN heteroepitaxy and fabricated as micro LEDs dispersed into an ink binder. The approach could be a template for further development of inks and techniques that employ fabricated silicon or III-V semiconductors.

The authors claim that economies of scale are possible with this approach. As an example, they cite that printing at 75 meters per minute with a single 60cm wide flexographic press for 20 hours per day for 300 days per year yields about 250 million A-19 light bulb equivalents. Such A-19 bulb replacements should have a retail cost that is similar to existing CFL bulbs, the authors claim.

Glenbard West lights $75,000 less than expected

The cost of installing six light towers at a Glenbard West High School athletic field is less than school district officials originally thought.

The Glenbard High School District 87 board voted this week to approve a contract with Wheaton-based Thorne Electric, which will install the lights at Memorial Field for about $250,000, including the price of contingency and other fees.

Earlier cost estimates had put the cost of the light installation near $325,000. A fundraising effort led by school boosters and parents brought in that much, thanks to 340 donors, including an anonymous one who gave $100,000.

“The committee raised more than it needed to, but they didn’t know where the bids were going to come in,” said Chris McClain, Glenbard’s assistant superintendent for business services.

It’s likely the leftover funds will be available for future improvements at Memorial Field, including installation of bleachers and a sidewalk, McClain said.

John Brodner, a Glenbard West parent who led the fundraising effort, said it’s a good situation to be in, rather than coming up short.

“The big thing was getting money raised by the deadline,” Brodner said. “Everyone had big sign of relief when we hit that number.”

Thorne Electric was the lowest bidder of three firms that submitted proposals to the school district. One of the firms did submit a bid close to $325,000, including fees.

Thorne will install four 70-foot-tall and two 60-foot-tall light poles on site ― which required zoning variances from the village.

The project was scrutinized over the course of 11 meetings of the village plan commission and two meetings of the village board during which the pros and cons of installing the lights were presented by Glenbard officials and members of Our Field, Our Town, an anti-lights group.

District officials said the lights will increase students’ use of the field, while many residents argued the lights will disrupt the character of the neighborhood and create noise and safety problems.

A prominent lights opponent, Mary Ozog, was elected to the school board in April 2011 ― and sworn in a meeting after the board approved sending the district’s variance application to the village.

On Monday, Ozog was the lone vote against approving the project bid, arguing the district should also have sought bids for various lighting vendors in addition to the district’s preferred vendor, Musco Lighting. Musco had been the district’s lighting consultant whose staff testified during the village meetings.

County Facility Offers a Safe Disposal Option for Hazardous Household Products

Common household products such as aerosol sprays, pesticides, or paint thinners can be harmful to our environment if they are dumped by the side of the road or placed in a landfill. With summer just around the corner, many of us are cleaning out garages and basements and getting rid of old pool chemicals, cleaning fluids, and other outdated household items.

Years ago, Oswego County didn’t have a good permanent disposal method for residents who were looking for ways to get rid of household hazardous waste products. However, thanks to a grant from former State Senator James Wright and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Oswego County Legislature and Department of Solid Waste opened a permanent disposal facility at the Bristol Hill Solid Waste Landfill, 3125 NYS Route 3, Volney.

This method of household hazardous waste management has proven to be more cost-effective than holding single-day collection events.

The household hazardous waste facility offers a convenient way for people to dispose of unwanted pesticides, cleansers, and similar products. The driver doesn’t even need to get out of his or her vehicle. Members of the solid waste staff remove the materials and sort and re-package them. Waste products are stored in a secure area until a sufficient quantity has accumulated for shipping.

Materials should be kept in their original containers and placed in sturdy cardboard boxes. Leaking containers should be wrapped in newspaper and placed in a clear plastic bag.

For safety reasons, smoking is prohibited in the unloading area and children and pets should be left at home.

When lines are long, cars may be turned away so that materials can be processed prior to the facility’s closing.

Residents may bring the following items to the collection facility:

Acids, adhesives, aerosols, airplane glue, antifreeze, auto batteries, brake fluid, cements, charcoal lighters, chemistry sets, chlorine, cleaning fluids, compact fluorescent bulbs, corrosives, degreasers, dioxin pesticides, disinfectants, drain cleaners, dry gas, epoxies, fiberglass resins, flea products, furniture polish, hair removers, herbicides, hobby chemicals, inks, insecticides, insect repellents, lacquers, lighter fluids, lubricants, mercury containing devices such as thermometers, moth balls and flakes, nail polish and remover, “no pest” strips, oil-based paints, oven cleaners, paint removers and thinners, pesticides, permanent solutions, photo chemicals, pool chemicals, rat poisons, rug and upholstery cleaners, rust solvents, silvex pesticide, spot removers, toilet bowl cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, turpentine, varnish, waste fuels, weed killers, wood preservatives, and wood stains.

Latex paints are not accepted at the hazardous waste collection facility.

Unwanted latex paint should be allowed to harden in the paint can and placed in the trash.

Used motor oil, household batteries, cell phones, computers, electronic equipment, and appliances containing CFC refrigerant are accepted at the Oswego County transfer stations.

S.A.'s new energy progress remarkable

This month will mark the one-year anniversary for what can certainly be viewed as a turning point for San Antonio on the clean energy front.

Last June, CPS Energy's President and CEO Doyle Beneby and Mayor Julián Castro introduced and welcomed our two companies to this community along with three more. Five clean energy companies, more than 200 jobs, a commitment to energy demand reduction and an investment in local education were showcased as the foundation of a new energy economy.

The building of that economy is well underway. Former Boerne-based Greenstar now employs 55 people at its relocated manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters in northwest San Antonio. More than 6,000 energy-efficient LED streetlights have been delivered to CPS Energy for installation in San Antonio. For every light manufactured locally, Greenstar has committed $10 to local education, thus investing in San Antonio's future workforce and leaders.

Because of its partnership with CPS Energy and attention received through the new energy economy, GreenStar has teamed up with Toshiba. This global technology leader will market Greenstar lights and bring a highly recognized name to San Antonio.

Consert moved its Raleigh, N.C. headquarters to a business park near San Antonio International Airport. Twenty Consert employees relocated here and more than 30 San Antonians were hired to build Consert's local team. The intelligent energy management system developed by Consert is helping CPS Energy residential and small commercial customers take control of their energy use. More than 1,100 Home Manager systems have been installed to help reduce energy demand.

Both companies will continue to contribute to job growth and economic opportunities locally. Greenstar has already hired more staff than the 30 positions it expected to fill in 2012, and Consert expects to have 150 in the next few years.

Our fellow new energy economy partners SunEdison, Summit Texas Clean Energy and Cold Car also are pushing forward. And CPS Energy has plans to bring two more companies with its initiative to add 400 megawatts of solar energy. This mega solar deal will result in local headquarters for OCI Solar Power and Nexolon, a solar manufacturing facility, 800 new jobs and further our community's use of clean energy.

San Antonio can take pride in its new energy economy accomplishments and investment in clean technology, economic development and education. The progress made here in just one year is phenomenal, and it is directly impacting the lives and prosperity of the local residents employed by the new energy economy partners, as well as thousands more who are touched by the work they do.

We want to thank CPS Energy and its leadership for the opportunity to further grow our businesses and to contribute to a long-term economic development venture. And, we thank you, San Antonio, for welcoming us, our families and employees to this vibrant and diverse community.

Mix on Wheels makes music a moving experience

When Erin Cook, an Orlando-based event manager, planned a pharmaceutical-company corporate meeting in South Florida, she had a surprise in store.

A shiny, blue Honda Element sat in the group's general meeting room. Dance music pulsated from speakers, as blue and white LED lights flashed in time to the music.

The SUV's scissor doors opened, and the company's regional director stepped out. The hatch opened to reveal a self-contained DJ booth, bass thumping. The pharmaceutical reps loved it.

Orlando-based Mix on Wheels created by Charles Miles, provides its fleet of self-described "mobile entertainment vehicles" to clients across Florida for a music-and-light show complete with a live DJ. Nobody in the Orlando area, at least, offers anything quite like it.

Miles, who started spinning records in high school, got the idea for Mix on Wheels while working as a DJ with Disney's Grad Nite program. He said he had seen vehicles haul trailers converted to entertainment spaces and decided to "take it to the next level."

Miles created "Mix on Wheels" in March 2008 with a customized, white Hummer H3. His fleet has since grown to include the Element and a Mini Cooper, and Miles estimated that he has spent about $30,000 on each car's customization. None of the cars require an external power source, meaning they can be used indoors or outdoors. The company has about eight DJs that help operate the vehicles.

Rates for Mix on Wheels start between $950 to $2,250 for a minimum three hours of service.

Scott Ferguson, an event stage manager at Disney Entertainment Group, said he often has used Mix on Wheels for events at Disney-owned properties.

Ferguson said he appreciates the company's versatility. Mix on Wheels vehicles can showcase company brands on displayed TV screens.

Ferguson recounted a Pixar-themed party at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club resort, where he used the Hummer as a centerpiece. Characters from "Up," "Toy Story," "The Incredibles" and "Monsters Inc." lined the room, and the party boasted a replica of the house from "Up."

"But when you've got that [Hummer] going, the chromes gleaming and the music pumping … People started taking pictures with the Hummer before the characters," Ferguson said, chuckling.

Miles added, "That's the ultimate high ― people having fun and enjoying what you do. I get paid to party."

Cook said she appreciates that Mix on Wheels is self-contained.

"So when I have them come out for an event, I'm not having to worry about power and lighting and all this extra stuff that you usually have to worry about when you hire a DJ or other entertainment," Cook said.