• Sapphire Awards ‘shortlist’ speaks volumes about SSL innovation (UPDATED)

    The fourth annual LEDs Magazine Sapphire Awards program closes out the year by announcing the finalists across 20 technology and application categories.
    Dec. 6, 2017
    6 min read
    BREAKING: Sapphire Awards program applauds best-in-class SSL developments (GALLERY)

    LEDs Magazine is pleased to announce the finalists in its fourth annual Sapphire Awards program, which recognizes and rewards the passion and forward thinking that inspires professionals across all sectors of the SSL market to continue to innovate and rethink function, design, and future potential.

    The fourth annual LEDs Magazine Sapphire Awards program closes out 2017 by announcing the finalists across 20 technology and application categories, highlighting the industry influencers who will get the chance to raise a trophy at the February 14th Gala aboard the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.

    The ‘shortlist’ of finalists in this year’s Sapphire Awards program speaks volumes about the level of innovation and leadership in the LED and solid-state lighting (SSL) community. Of course, there are many well-established names below and we expected as much, with the number of products that were announced within the past year. What is even more compelling is the list of companies with which we may be less familiar but that have no less drive and passion for illuminating the world and pushing the boundaries of SSL into emerging applications. We look forward to seeing those names attached to further developments that escalate the viability of SSL technologies…and provide the stimulus for new markets.

    The products recognized as finalists are responsible for breaking through technical barriers, achieving new levels of performance, reliability, light quality, cost reductions, and other features that deliver on the potential of lighting in applications from healthier and smarter buildings to smart cities to horticultural operations. This year, our expert judging panel saw an expansion of SSL products that are designed to positively influence human health and wellbeing. And we’re pleased to see that the industry has maintained quality design in power components and controls that address needs across varying levels of complexity for SSL system implementation.

    You’ll find the comprehensive shortlist below. Stay tuned for news on the Illumineer of the Year finalists, Rising Star, and Humanitarian awards as well. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for more Sapphire Awards updates, Gala announcements, and, of course, the winners reveal! Visit the Sapphire Awards website for more background on the program.

    SAPPHIRE AWARDS FINALISTS

    Packaged LEDs and OLEDs

    Bridgelux / Vesta Dim-To-Warm COB
    Lumileds / Luxeon L1V1 CSP LED Series
    Osram Opto Semiconductors / Osconiq P 3737 3W
    Samsung Electronics LED / LH351C LED

    Modular LED Light Engines

    Bridgelux / Vesta Tunable White Arrays
    Fulham / Universal Voltage DirectAC LED Engines
    Lumileds / Matrix Platform Advanced Technologies
    Samsung Electronics LED / Q-Series Linear Modules
    SoraaLaser / LaserLight Fiber Module

    ICs and Electronic Components for SSL

    ams / AS7225 Tunable White Smart Sensor
    Infineon Technologies / ICL5102 PFC+Resonant Controller
    Maxim Integrated / MAX20078 Synchronous Buck Controller

    Constant Current LED Drivers

    Artesyn Embedded Technologies / iHP Series High Power System
    ERP Power / CDB Series
    Inventronics / ESD-600S
    Osram / Optotronic Programmable LED Emergency Driver

    Constant Voltage LED Drivers

    Elemental LED / Omnidrive 2
    ERP Power / VLM Series
    Optic Arts / VintageDim

    SSL Enabling Technologies — Optics, thermal, interconnect, etc.

    Gaggione / LLC66x7 Silicone Collimator Range
    LensVector / LVS3-48 Liquid Crystal Lens
    Luminit / Double-sided Batwing Light Shaping Diffuser
    TE Connectivity / Lumawise Z50 Drive LED Holder

    Tools and Tests in SSL Design

    Gamma Scientific / RS-7-7 SpectralLED Tunable LED Light Booth
    GL Optic / Spectis 1 Touch Flicker Meter
    United Power Research Technology Corp. / UPRtek PG100N Spectral PAR Meter

    Smart and Connected SSL Enabling Technologies

    LED Roadway Lighting / T100 Toolless Sensor Platform
    McWong International, Inc. / PacWave Smart Sensor Control Platform
    Osram Digital Lighting Systems / Connected Lighting Module and Optotronic Driver
    Samsung Electronics LED / Samsung LED Smart Lighting Platform

    Smart and Connected SSL Systems

    Eaton / WaveLinx Wireless Connected Lighting System
    Echelon Corporation / LumInsight 2 Central Management System
    Lumenpulse Group Inc. / Lumentalk Power Line Communications Platform

    Residential SSL Lamp and Luminaire Design

    Cerno / Revelite Art Light
    LEDvance / Sylvania Smart+ LED Strip
    LEDvance / Sylvania Smart+ A19 Filament
    MaxLite / LED LiteBars

    Taking place during the Strategies in Light conference and exhibition, co-located with The LED Show and Lightspace California, the Sapphire Awards Gala will present an exciting networking opportunity in a spectacular venue with great food and entertainment. Although the competition is fierce, attendees will enjoy the prospect of meeting with PennWell’s LED & Lighting Network team and fellow industry professionals in the spirit of camaraderie and celebration of SSL achievements over the past year. Purchase tickets now!
    Commercial-Quality SSL Lamp Design

    Filamento / Valto High Bay LED Lamp
    Green Creative / Refine Series PAR38
    Keystone Technologies / Dimmable DirectDrive T8

    Indoor Ambient, Cove, and Accent SSL Luminaire Design

    Elemental LED / SPOTMOD SLIK LED Panels
    The Lighting Quotient / elliptipar S43x Indirect Luminaire
    Soraa / Soraa Arc Adjustable Luminaire
    Tempo / pr1meFX Cove
    Vode Lighting / ZipThree 707 Wall Mount

    Indoor Decorative Pendant Luminaire Design

    Acolyte LED / Synthesis LED Linear
    Fluxwerx / Spoke
    Focal Point / Obscura
    Litecontrol, a Hubbell Lighting brand / Inde-Pendants 32L
    Zumtobel / Ondaria

    Indoor Troffer and Downlight SSL Luminaire Design

    DMF Lighting / DRD4M and OneFrame
    JLC-Tech / T-BAR LED Asymmetrical Wall Wash
    Kichler / Horizon 43855WHLED30T Downlight
    Zumtobel / Mellow Light Infinity

    Industrial SSL Luminaire Design

    Flex Lighting Solutions / Essentials Series 4.0 LED High Bay
    Hubbell Industrial Lighting, a Hubbell Lighting brand / SpectraLoc Highbay
    Zumtobel / Craft

    Outdoor Landscape and Architectural SSL Design

    Architectural Area Lighting, a Hubbell Lighting brand / Cypher Wall Sconce
    Elemental LED / Infiniline 2 LED Strip Light
    Kichler / 12V LED Accent with Variable Lumen Output
    Lumenpulse / Lumenfaçade

    Outdoor Street and Area SSL Luminaire Design

    cBright Lighting / Apex Pro LED Sports Flood
    Dual-Lite and Hubbell Outdoor Lighting / GeoPak LED Wallpack
    Kenall Manufacturing / SenScape SPG18 Series
    MaxLite / Mpulse Surface Mount Luminaire

    Specialty SSL Design

    Fraen Corporation / Embedded Optic Module OM003-0100
    Traxon Technologies, an Osram brand / Dot XLQ-8 RGBW Module
    Unilux / LED2000 with Smart Assist

    Horticultural Lighting

    Active Grow LLC / Sweet Grass Series
    Lumigrow Inc. / LumiGrow Smart Horticultural LED Lighting
    Lumileds / Luxeon SunPlus COB Series
    Osram Opto Semiconductors / Oslon Square Hyper Red
    Plessey Semiconductor / Hyperion LED Grow Light

    Lighting for Health and Wellbeing

    Hubbell Healthcare Solutions, a Hubbell Lighting brand / Evexia
    Kenall Manufacturing / Indigo-Clean Luminaire Series
    Ketra / Ketra Linear Luminaire Series

    LEDs Magazine would like to thank its esteemed judges for their invaluable insight and expertise in evaluating the Sapphire Awards submissions. Meet and greet some of them at the Sapphire Awards Gala — visit our ticket portal now.

    *With contributions from Maury Wright and Danielle Blanchette

    *Updated Dec. 7, 2017 9:30am for product name correction.
    *Updated Dec. 11, 2017 9:53am for product part number correction.

    More on the past year’s Sapphire Awards:

    Sapphire Awards finalists shine in innovative form and application
    WINNERS: Sapphire Awards Gala spotlights evolving SSL trends
    Sapphire Awards scores reflect smart SSL developments

    About the Author

    Carrie Meadows

    Editor-in-Chief, LEDs Magazine

    Carrie Meadows has more than 20 years of experience in the publishing and media industry. She worked with the PennWell Technology Group for more than 17 years, having been part of the editorial staff at Solid State Technology, Microlithography World, Lightwave, Portable Design, CleanRooms, Laser Focus World, and Vision Systems Design before the group was acquired by current parent company Endeavor Business Media.

    Meadows has received finalist recognition for LEDs Magazine in the FOLIO Eddie Awards, and has volunteered as a judge on several B2B editorial awards committees. She received a BA in English literature from Saint Anselm College, and earned thesis honors in the college's Geisel Library. Without the patience to sit down and write a book of her own, she has gladly undertaken the role of editor for the writings of friends and family.

    Meadows enjoys living in the beautiful but sometimes unpredictable four seasons of the New England region, volunteering with an animal shelter, reading (of course), and walking with friends and extended "dog family" in her spare time.

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