Avnet Expert to Present Psychophysiological Aspects of High-Brightness LEDs at the OPTOmism Green Photonics Conference

The Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas business region of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT) announces that Avnet LightSpeed Director Cary Eskow will address the OPTOmism Green Photonics Conference in Santa Clara, Calif. today. OPTOmism is a global investor and technology forum organized by the Optoelectronics Industry Development Association (OIDA).

Eskow, a 28-year Avnet veteran who holds two industry patents, will present “Leveraging Beneficial Psychophysiological Aspects of High-Brightness LEDs to Accelerate the Adoption of Solid State Lighting” – a look at moving past the view of using LEDs only as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional light sources. Eskow’s presentation will emphasize novel applications of high-brightness LED technology that hinge on nascent findings in the role of light to entrain human circadian rhythm and influence behavior. The goal is to establish a higher value proposition for Solid State Lighting (SSL), and thus accelerate demand.

OIDA, a Washington DC-based non-profit association, serves as the voice of industry to government and academia, and acts as liaison with other industry associations worldwide to provide a network for exchanging ideas and information within the optoelectronics community. OPTOmism – OIDA’s global executive conference and forum – focuses on “Green Photonics,” including applications/technologies that generate/conserve energy, improve communications infrastructure, and increase efficiency of existing fossil fuel consumption and extraction.

“Recent findings related to the psychophysiological impact of light – ranging from influencing circadian rhythm to enhancing concentration and increasing the visual appeal of food and merchandise – will prove useful in accelerating the adoption of SSL technology. We now have the means to leverage our understanding of light-associated psychophysiological mechanisms to extend the value proposition of green lighting far beyond basic energy efficiency,” said Eskow. “The horizons for LED-based lighting are nearly limitless.”

For more information about energy-efficient, high-brightness LED products and Avnet LightSpeed, please visit www.em.avnet.com/lightspeed.

About Avnet Electronics Marketing

Avnet Electronics Marketing is an operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc. that serves electronic original equipment manufacturers (EOEMs) and electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers in more than 70 countries, distributing electronic components from leading manufacturers and providing associated design-chain and supply-chain services. The group's Web site is located at www.em.avnet.com. Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 28, 2008, Avnet generated revenue of $17.95 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.