The only thing more abundant than sun in the Middle East and North Africa is sand. Used in the production of Markus Kayser’s 3D printer and to make Algerian building bricks, sand is useful for a host of applications – including lighting.

We would never have dreamed this up ourselves, but Danielle Trofe designed a series of new sustainable lamps that are literally powered by shifting sands. Hit the jump to find out how they work.

Like a small hourglass, Trope's lamps trickle sand through a glass vessel, marking the passage of time. But the kinetic energy generated by the process also generates just enough power to spark an embedded LED light bulb.

Unlike normal lamps that switch on and stay on, unless they are digitally pre-programmed to switch off, these lamps are interactive. Every time the lamp runs out of sand, it is necessary to flip the lamp to start the process again.

In part this helps to generate some awareness of what it takes to keep the lights on, and in a city like New York that never dims, one lamp multiplied can have an incredible cumulative impact.

The four foot Hourglass Floor Table Lamp is suspended and rotates on a hinge that makes it easy to flip when the sand runs out.

The smaller, table version that is designed a little differently to accommodate the light bulb, is nonetheless built with the same principle.

And both are infinitely cool – not just in concept but in execution. Flawless. (By Green Prophet)


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Recently, Lu Fang, the director of out of incandescent PMO of National Development and Reform Commission, said, the promotion of LED lighting products will reach 30 million this year. Types of products covered in addition to the tunnel lights, street lamps, downlights and spotlights, an increase of bulb this year.

"The LED Bulb subsidies issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, is also a sub-brand." A lighting person in charge, Ma Yinwei said, his agents lighting brand - such as Opple lighting - have not been included in the national LED bulb subsidies ranks.

"Even if not included in the financial subsidies, the cost performance of LED bulb is still high." Ma Yinwei calculations to reporters, on the basis of LED bulb used an annual, initial purchase cost plus annual electricity bill should be lower than the cost of the incandescent lamp and electronic energy-saving lamps. And service life of LED bulb is up to 100,000 hours.


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The Chinese government has been cutting back on subsidies to manufacturers of light-emitting diode (LED) chips, a reason some companies are blaming for their poor first quarter results.

This points to a change in approach to policies over the once-hyped sector amid overcapacity and sliding prices, noted a report Wednesday by Global Times.

Chinese listed firms, such as Elec-Tech International, issued a profit warning last month in its first quarter earnings report, the news site said. The company forecast net profits for the first half of the year would drop 30 to 60 percent year-on-year, partly because of a sharp drop-off in subsidy funding it expected

Elec-Tech added government support for LED chip makers had weakened overall with the gradual curtailing or scrapping of payouts for new equipment.

Another LED chip maker Sanan Optoelectronics described a similar situation in its own quarterly report, according to People's Daily. The company blamed lost subsidies as a key factor behind its 29.5 percent profit drop over the first three months of the year.

Global Times cited a report from 21st Century Business Herald that Sanan Optoelectronics received government subsidies totaling 328 million yuan (US$53.3 million) in 2012, 805 million yuan (US$131 million) in 2011 and 2.53 million yuan (US$411,890) in 2010; with these amounts accounting for 40.5 percent, 85 percent and 60.4 percent of its net profits respectively during those years.

For Elec-Tech, it would likely have suffered losses in 2010 and 2012 if not for subsidies, the report pointed out.

Wang Hong, a professor at South China University of Technology, explained the industry underwent a period of consolidation last year, nearly one-third of China's LED chip makers shut down. This may have led several local governments to reconsider their earlier policies and offers.

For example in March, Shenzhen city in Southern China axed a seven-year development plan to turn itself into the largest LED research, development and production center in China.

Earlier this month, China reportedly cut its solar subsidies program by 21 percent to 5.5 yuan (US$0.87) per watt, as compontent prices had plunged making them unncessary. However, this does not rule out other forms of assistance such as tax rebates and property concessions. (By ZDNet)


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These two FM-certified LED light towers are for use in Class I, Zone 1, Exd IIC T6 explosive application environments.

The five-light EDWM-style model is based on the company's popular WME-A tower, and is available for 24 VAC/DC or 90-250 VAC operation. The three-light EDLM-style model is based on the company's LME tower, and is available for 24 VAC/DC or 120 VAC operation. They are IP-66 rated making them suitable for wet or dirty locations. The color modules are highly resistant to vibration to greatly reduce maintenance costs, and use bright LED technology that last over 40,000 hours of continuous use. Each LED module can be wired through an easily accessible terminal block for steady or flashing mode, and two angle brackets facilitate top and wall-mount orientations to satisfy the needs of each application. Each also features a 3/4-inch NPT wire exit port, making it easy for a 3/4-inch conduit pipe to be connected. (By Automation World)


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