September 28, 2015 - CHICAGO - The modern world faces new challenges every day, and as the world's largest online engineering community, element14 is asking its members to help address them with its latest RoadTest+ . Starting now, members have the chance to apply to participate and build devices using the latest technology from Wurth Elektronik and Texas Instruments (TI).

LED light sources present a long list of benefits for many industries. Energy-saving LED light sources can reduce energy usage by 30-75 percent. When their color mixing properties are utilized, LED lights allow the human eye to see objects with the same vividness as natural sunlight. LED lighting can also be used to optimize vertical farming by strategically adjusting the wavelengths of light at the proper times during the plants' growth cycle.

'Those who are not following LED developments closely may feel they already understand the key benefit of using LED light sources as only for improving energy efficiency. In reality, there are many other exciting things LED technology today can do.' said John Perry, Marketing Manager, Lighting Power Products at TI. 'The TPS92512 LED driver from TI is an excellent choice for many applications because it can drive a broad range of LED power levels and the independent analog/PWM dimming controls make it easy for the user to change brightness in real-time.'

The RoadTest+ will ask participants to harness the potential of LED light sources in order to solve world problems. TI and Wurth will provide the equipment, with TI supplying products in the kit as well as a $200 voucher for participants to use on additional products at Newark element14 .

The kit contains:

· TI Buck Regulator with Analog and PWM Dimming

· TI Ultra-Low-power MSP430 ™ FRAM-based MCU platform

· Bluetooth Low Energy Light Development Kit (CC2540TDK-LIGHT)

Wurth Elektronik will offer all participants power and filter inductors, wireless charging coils, capacitors, LEDs and connectors at the participants' request, free of charge. Participants can visit www.we-online.com/products to view the full portfolio of products.

Applications will be accepted from now through Oct. 19. The 10 challengers will each be asked to submit five blog posts to element14's Light Group , highlighting their designs as they progress throughout the build process.

The first place winner will receive an Apple Watch Sport and the second place winner will receive an Apple Watch. Winners will be announced on Feb. 2, 2016.

For more information on the challenge, visit the RoadTest+ page at the element14 Community.

ENDS

About the Premier Farnell Group

Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl) is a global leader in the high service distribution of technology products and solutions for electronic system design, production, maintenance and repair. Trading as Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in North America and element14 across Asia Pacific, the company had sales last year of £960m. The Group is supported by a global supply chain of more than 3,000 suppliers and an inventory profile developed to anticipate and meet its customers' needs.

Premier Farnell works to bring to market development kits in a variety of applications, enabling it to support the customer from design concept through to production.

The latest products, software, services and solutions from trusted supplier partners are all available through 43 local language transactional websites. The element14 Community allows buyers and engineers to access a wide range of independent technical information, tools and the latest resources and the Design Center enables design engineers to compare kits from the world's greatest range of development tools.

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Premier Farnell Key facts

  • Operations in 38 different countries
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  • More than 3,000 leading suppliers
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  • Leaders in providing information on REACH, Conflict Minerals and EU RoHSlegislation

For more information visit the website at Premier Farnell.

Global PR Agency:

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Wildfire PR

Tel: +44 208 408 8000

Email: element14@wildfirepr.com

European Contact:

Jen Patterson

PR Manager, Europe and Global

Tel: +44 113 2484904

Email: jpatterson@premierfarnell.com

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Email: cloh@element14.com

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PR and Social Media Manager

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Email: wpolk@newark.com

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