Researchers at the University of Washington have created silicon-based nanoparticles that soften the blue light emitted by LEDs, creating white light that more closely resembles sunlight. [ + ]

Scientists at Rice University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have advanced on the goal of two-dimensional electronics with a method to control the growth of uniform atomic layers of molybdenum disulfide (MDS). [ + ]

Researchers from The Ohio State University have developed technology that will pave the way for low-cost electronic devices that work in direct contact with living tissue inside the body. The first planned use of the technology is a sensor that will detect the very early stages of organ transplant rejection. [ + ]

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a dimmable LED street light that consumes significantly less energy than current lighting systems while improving the lighting characteristics. [ + ]

The European Commission has decided to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of solar panels, cells and wafers from China. [ + ]

Scientists from the US, Japan, Finland and Germany have developed a formula for turning liquid cement into liquid metal. This makes cement a semiconductor and opens up its use in the consumer electronics marketplace for thin films, protective coatings and computer chips. [ + ]

Stanford University scientists have developed an advanced zinc-air battery with higher catalytic activity and durability than similar batteries made with costly platinum and iridium catalysts. [ + ]

New observations of material disprove leading theory about LED brightness, opening new avenues for research. [ + ]

The market for printed, organic and flexible electronics will grow from $16.04bn in 2013 to $76.79bn in 2023, predicts research firm IDTechEx. [ + ]

Scientists have produced the largest flexible, plastic solar cells in Australia - 10 times the size of what they were previously able to - thanks to a new solar cell printer that has been installed at CSIRO. [ + ]

Purdue University researchers have created a new tool to detect flaws in lithium-ion batteries as they are being manufactured - a step towards reducing defects and inconsistencies in the thickness of electrodes that affect battery life and reliability. [ + ]

The PV industry slowdown may have negatively impacted the market for dye sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) but the future doesn’t look quite so grim. Market research firm IDTechEx forecasts the DSSCs market to grow to over $130 million by 2023. [ + ]

Using bundles of vertical zinc oxide nanowires, researchers have fabricated arrays of piezotronic transistors capable of converting mechanical motion directly into electronic controlling signals. The arrays could help give robots a more adaptive sense of touch, provide better security in handwritten signatures and offer new ways for humans to interact with electronic devices. [ + ]

Marl International has transformed the sports hall at one of the North of England’s most prestigious independent schools, Abbey Gate College. Marl installed LED lighting that improved the hall environment and provided much brighter and more even lighting that comes on instantly.

A new semiconductor device capable of emitting two distinct colours has been created by a group of researchers in the US, potentially opening up the possibility of using LEDs for cheap and efficient lighting. [ + ]