GE manages to create printed OLEDs, new horizons for efficient lighting
In a similar manner that we can now print solar cells or 3D models, GE has created a printing method to produce OLED lights. If GE researchers and engineers manage to bring the cost down, in a few years printing might well be the conventional production method. OLEDs are in effect thin organic materials sandwiched between electrodes that provide the excitation for light emission. Their form and layered nature are ideal for continuous production from a roll -much like paper printing- and GE is attacking the problem in a very logical way. If things go well, we will have OLED lights in the market by 2010.
Quality of light is said to be equivalent to current lighting methods, but relative OLED advantages are indisputable. They are flexible and liberate designers from current limiting models and forms. They are non fragile and unlike conventional bulbs can be tuned to emit different light tones. And the most important, they have ultra low consumption, a fact that will be a major help in reducing energy consumption against the greenhouse effect.
Lighting is already a hot technological area and GE is showing its teeth. The four years and $13 million spent on research so far is no small game, the big names of the field are surely staying awake at night trying to figure out how the door to new wealth will get wide open. More innovations are definitely on the way, a benefit to both consumers and the environment.
Link 1: Engadget
Link 2: Crave
Link 3: Businesswire
