WEST CALDWELL, N.J. (April 1, 2020) – MaxLite, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of energy-efficient lighting solutions since 1993, launches the PhotonMax Linear Light as a high-performance LED grow light designed to optimize crop production in greenhouses and high intensity vertical farming applications.The PhotonMax LED Linear Light (PH-LI Series) can match applications where traditional 400W to 600W HID fixtures are used, in a more sleek and durable form factor. Emitting up to 761 µmol/s with outstanding electrical efficiency (up to 2.8 µmol/J), the Linear Light produces consistent, high quality light using 50% less energy than conventional HID light sources. The Linear Light is available in PPFs of 491-533 µmol/s (200W model) and 761 µmol/s (300W). The 200W model comes in three spectra (BPRX, BPBX, FSRX), while the 300-watt is offered in BPRX. The Linear Light is dimmable, providing increased precision and control for operations with varied light outputs, growth stages and crop types.The luminaire’s low-profile design minimizes the effects of shading and enables cultivators to maximize utilization of natural light. In most cases, the fixture can be mounted directly below trusses for a flush-mounted system. The Linear Light’s linkable design and multiple mounting options offer ease of installation for large-scale use. Up to three 200W units can be linked in continuous runs, while up to two 300W models can be connected.The Linear Light is IP65-rated to withstand watering, dust and other rigors of commercial-scale growing environments. With photon flux maintenance of 36,000 hours, the Linear Light provides superior longevity compared to legacy technologies. The 200-watt model is already listed to the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) Horticultural Qualified Products List, the central resource for utilities in designing energy efficient lighting incentive programs; the 300-watt version is expected to become listed later this spring. MaxLite is working closely with utilities to identify and market rebate opportunities that will speed the time to ROI for growers. The listing may be viewed on the DLC website at: https://www.designlights.org/horticultural-lighting/search/“With the new Linear Light, and previous release of our PhotonMax Spot Light, MaxLite is setting the new standard for the horticulture lighting market with LED products that deliver exceptional performance, quality and efficiency for growers,” said Paul Gray, senior director of horticulture sales. “We are fully committed to creating products that can reduce energy load and position cultivators for success.”MaxLite offers a complete line of quality, high-performance horticulture lighting solutions supported by industry-leading warranties and expert assistance. For more information, go to www.maxlite.com/horticulture.View complete specifications for the PhotonMax LED Linear Light at: https://www.maxlite.com/products/photonmax-horticulture-led-linear-lightsTo download a high-resolution product image, click here: http://www.maxlite.com/PDFs/PR/PRkit/MaxLite_LinearHorticulture.zip

Could there be a new kind of light in the universe? Since the late 19th century, scientists have understood that, when heated, all materials emit light in a predictable spectrum of wavelengths. But a new research published in Nature Scientific Reports by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute presented a material that emits light when heated that appears to exceed the limits set by that natural law.The new material discovered by Shawn Yu Lin, lead author and a professor of physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, defies the theory proposed by Max Planck in 1900, which mathematically described a pattern of radiation. The material emits a coherent light similar to that produced by lasers or LEDs, but without the costly structure needed to produce the stimulated emission of those technologies. In addition to the spectroscopy study just published in Nature Scientific Reports, Lin previously published an imaging study in IEEE Photonics Journal. Both show a spike in radiation at about 1.7µm, which is the near-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.“These two papers offer the most convincing evidence of ‘super-Planckian’ radiation in the far-field,” said Lin. “This doesn’t violate Planck’s law. It’s a new way to generate thermal emission, a new underlying principle. This material, and the method that it represents, opens a new path to realize super-intense, tunable LED-like infrared emitters for thermophotovoltaics and efficient energy applications.”For his research, Lin built a three-dimensional tungsten photonic crystal — a material that can control the properties of a photon — with six offset layers, in a configuration similar to a diamond crystal, and topped with an optical cavity that further refines the light. The photonic crystal shrinks the spectrum of light that is emitted from the material to a span of about 1 µm. The cavity continues to squeeze the energy into a span of roughly 0.07µm.In both the imaging and spectroscopy study, Lin prepared his sample and a blackbody control — a coating of vertically aligned nanotubes on top of the material — side by side on a single piece of silicon substrate, eliminating the possibility of changes between testing the sample and control that could compromise the results. In an experimental vacuum chamber, the sample and control were heated to 600 degrees Kelvin.In Nature Scientific Reports, Lin presents spectral analysis taken in five positions as the aperture of an infrared spectrometer moves from a view filled with the blackbody to one of the material. Peak emission, with an intensity of 8 times greater than the blackbody reference, occurs at 1.7 µm.Although theory does not fully explain the effect, Lin hypothesizes that the offsets between the layers of photonic crystal allow light to emerge from within the many spaces inside the crystal. The emitted light bounces back and forth within the confines of the crystal structure, which alters the property of the light as it travels to the surface to meet the optical cavity.The new material could be used in applications like energy harvesting, military infrared-based object tracking and identification, producing high efficiency optical sources in the infrared driven by waste heat or local heaters, research requiring environmental and atmospheric and chemical spectroscopy in the infrared, and in optical physics as a laser-like thermal emitter.

Asahi Kasei has collaborate with Nobel winner Hiroshi Amano and his research team at Nagoya University to develop a laser diode that emits deep-ultraviolet light (in wavelength span of UV-C).Published in the journal Applied Physics Express in October 2019, the UV light emitting laser diode is based on AIN (aluminum nitride) substrate and emits the world’s shortest lasing wavelength at 271.8 nm under pulsed current injection at room temperature.Whereas previous short-wavelength semiconductor lasers were only achieved down to 336 nm, the current result demonstrate UV-C emission ranging 200–280 nm. It is expected that UV-C semiconductor lasers would be used for disinfection in healthcare, for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis, and for analyzing gases and DNA.Lasing under current injection in the ultraviolet range was considered challenging because of the extremely high resistance of the material. Key factors in this successful development including employing a specially designed p-side layer to simultaneously realize sufficient light confinement and reduced device resistance and suppressing light scattering loss by using AlN substrate with few defects. In addition, Asahi Kasei managed to combine its thin-film crystal growth technology with the process technology and evaluation technology of Nagoya University’s CIRFE Transformative Electronics Facilities (C-TEFs).This research result thus holds the key to high-output UV-C solid-state light sources which have long been sought. The team is now conducting advanced joint research to achieve continuous room temperature deep-UV lasing for the development of UV-C semiconductor laser products.

The Designers Lighting Forum of New York and the LEDucation committee announces the LEDucation 2020 Trade Show and Conference will be cancelled based on the growing concerns of COVID-19 in the lighting industry and the New York community.The trade show and conference, slated to be held in New York City on March 17–18, is rescheduled for August 18–19, 2020 at the New York Hilton Midtown.LEDucation 2020 is host to more than 400 exhibitors representing the lighting industry’s most innovative design and technology companies. The two-day event was anticipated to draw over 6,000 attendees. “We recognize all the hard work that so many have put into preparing for the Leducation Trade Show and Conference,” said Burt Grant and Caroline Rinker, LEDucation co-chairs. “Based on the evaluation of evolving circumstances, it is clear that it would be an unacceptable risk to bring so many together in New York next week. The safety and health of our industry is of utmost importance.”The March conference was set to feature 33 sessions, led by lighting and allied field industry experts. “We appreciate the effort and support of our LEDucation 2020 speakers” said Wendy Kaplan and Craig Fox, presentation co-chairs. “We look forward to working with them again for the August show.”ATTENDEE LEDucation RESERVATIONSAttendee registrations will remain fully valid for the LEDucation alternative date of August 18-19, 2020. For cancellations, email info@leducation.orgFOR RESERVATIONS AT THE NY HILTON MIDTOWNAll guests of the hotel that have booked a room under the LEDucation block should contact reservations, beginning Thursday, March 12. Call 212-586-7000 and press #2 to cancel and receive a refund. The hotel is receiving many calls and ask for your patience. We are working towards securing a room block for August and will release this information once available.FOR EXHIBITORSAll lead retrieval orders have been credited to the next event.Portal links will remain active and you may modify the staff attending the August date at anytime.Insurance requirements will be announced in the coming weeks.Your table locations will remain the same. If you have any requests please contact info@leducation.orgSHIPPING INFORMATIONAll orders and payments will be applied to August show.Freight AEX has received will be stored for the show. Anyone that needs to retrieve freight from the AEX warehouse, please contact AEX Convention Services 609-272-1600 or via email mike@aexservices.comFreight that continues to arrive at the AEX warehouse will be accepted and stored. When freight gets refused it can get lost and it’s better for it to be safely in AEX controlYou should contact any carriers delivering directly to the Hilton and have their freight rerouted. If you wish to reroute to the AEX warehouse that is an option.Should attendees or exhibitors require additional assistance, please contact info@leducation.org