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Firefly Lighting Innovations |
Firefly Lighting Innovations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Roanoke, VA (June 13, 2006) Dominion Metallurgical and the Carilion Biomedical Institute are pleased to announce the formation of a new Roanoke-based company, Firefly Lighting Innovations. Firefly will manufacture and market innovative lighting products that utilize electroCeramescent technology for healthcare, consumer, and industrial markets. ElectroCeramescent lighting, also known as LECD (light emitting ceramic device), is the latest breakthrough in solid state lighting technology. A major advantage over conventional lighting is that LECD products are very durable, are virtually maintenance free and consume extremely low levels of energy. Due to low energy usage, LECD can also be powered using solar energy which allows the lighting source to be rapidly deployable and eliminates the need to lay electrical cable. Moreover, LECD products do not generate heat which reduces fire risk and makes them safe to the touch. LECD technology is also becoming more recognized as a lighting product that helps to stop the adverse effects of light pollution on dark skies, reduces unsafe driving conditions in dark, wet weather, and will attribute to the overall reduction of energy consumption and pollution of our air and water due to its energy efficiency. The company's first product to the consumer market is the Firefly Light Tray which creates a soft, non-obtrusive glow and consumes extremely low levels of energy, costing only pennies a year to operate. The light tray can be customized with any company or organization’s logo for advertising, branding, public relations and other awareness campaigns. Firefly also hopes to serve the growing senior population with a safe non-intrusive yet powerful light that can be located almost anywhere in the home, acting as a guide in the dark and in potential emergency situations. As a lighted tray the Firefly can be used to secure medications, keys, and eyeglasses for easy accessibility. LECD has many exciting applications and Firefly is currently helping several prominent institutions and museums to cost effectively retro-fit their existing building signs that have degraded lighting conditions. "It has been great to work with the Dominion Metallurgical team. I have been impressed not only with their creativity but with their willingness to explore new markets with this technology. CBI was able to help the team investigate potential medical applications for the technology and helped them to develop initial market projections. We really look forward to watching Firefly succeed", states Andy Muelenaer, MD, CBI Medical Director. "I couldn't be more pleased to form a company around electroCeramescent technology,” states Paul Huffman, President of Dominion Metallurgical and Firefly Lighting Innovations. “In the time of skyrocketing energy costs Firefly Lighting Innovations has created an alternative to conventional lighting applications. This technology allows us to customize lighting applications to a wide array of uses while significantly reducing energy and maintenance cost to pennies a year, compared to conventional lighting products. You could say we are reinventing the light bulb and developing a cost effective way to light the future. We really look forward to working with CBI to get this company off the ground and create positive economic impact for the Roanoke and New River Valley." Ronald Graf, Firefly's Marketing and Sales Director, brings 16 years of marketing and sales experience to the company. Ron will focus on creating awareness, building the Firefly brand, and establishing a distribution network. The company’s corporate office will be located on Valleypark Drive in Valleypointe Parkway. MEDIA CONTACT |