Lighting is everywhere, but it comes with hidden problems. Traditional LEDs, while more efficient than incandescent bulbs, often suffer from poor heat dissipation, especially in professional applications. As they overheat, brightness fades, lifespan shortens, and maintenance costs rise. For large-scale applications—factories, shopping malls, power plants, even stadiums—changing lights is time-consuming, disruptive, and expensive.
South Korea’s Mikwang Entec (official site) believes it has the answer. The company’s graphene-powered LED lighting system combines high efficiency with smart diagnostics. By integrating graphene oxide into its thermal design, the lights dissipate heat much faster than conventional LEDs. In numbers, that means operating temperatures up to 59°F cooler, a lifespan exceeding 50,000 hours, and an output of 150 lumens per watt compared to about 90 lm/W in normal LEDs. The result is up to 30–40% energy savings and a product that lasts twice as long.
The innovation doesn’t stop at the bulb. Each light is paired with a smart IoT controller that connects via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, or even industrial protocols like MQTT. The controller continuously monitors usage, reports real-time faults, and predicts when a lamp is nearing the end of its life. In critical environments—such as laboratories, steel mills, or nuclear plants—this proactive maintenance prevents unexpected outages. Even in commercial offices or shopping malls, it reduces stress and downtime, since operators know exactly which component needs replacing.
Traditionally, lighting management has been reactive. Bulbs are swapped after they burn out, or maintenance crews spend time diagnosing faults without knowing whether the issue is with the LED, power supply, or controller. Smart home platforms like Home Assistant have brought automation to residential lighting, but Mikwang’s system is self-sufficient by building lifespan prediction directly into the hardware and software.
Founded in 2006, Mikwang Entec has nearly 20 years of experience in LED lighting and power control. Led by CEO Donghoon Oh, a Hanyang University engineering graduate, the company is based in Pohang Technopark Venture Complex. It has earned certifications ranging from CE and Eco-Friendly to Korea’s Public Procurement Excellent Product designation. Domestically, its lights already serve POSCO steel mills and the Kori Nuclear Power Plant, while international projects include industrial complexes in Europe, the Middle East, and Vietnam.
Mikwang Entec is preparing to expand into the U.S. market, highlighting its strengths in graphene-based thermal management and electronic lifetime prediction. The company will showcase its solutions at CES 2026, aiming to establish partnerships with global players. By merging advanced materials science with IoT control, Mikwang Entec aims to position itself as more than just a lighting company—it wants to be a key player in smart infrastructure for cities, factories, and public spaces worldwide.
Filed in . Read more about CES, CES 2026, Korea, Led and Lighting.
