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Unique OLED Technology Addresses Inefficiencies of Traditional Lighting

The Department of Energy estimates that over $50 billion in electricity is wasted annually in the U.S. because of the inefficiency of traditional lighting. An exciting alternative to traditional lighting is being developed at the University of Washington. UW researchers have developed a prototype lighting device based on organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. The device could be the first step to highly efficient, environmentally friendly lighting for home and commercial use.

Because of its unique layers of organic compounds, OLEDs are capable of being finely tuned to nearly any color and of being deposited on almost any substrate, even flexible surfaces. One future use could be in flexible computer screens that roll up and store in a briefcase. OLED-based paint that lights up a room is another potential application.

Professor Alex Jen, chair of UW’s Materials Science and Engineering Department, chemistry professor Larry Dalton and affiliate associate professors Brenden Carlson and Gregory Phelan have developed materials and methods for the manufacture of bright white OLED light for commercial use. Jen and colleagues received a Technology Gap Innovation Fund (TGIF) award from UW TechTransfer and the Washington Research Foundation to fund the development of the prototype device.   

UW TechTransfer recently licensed the technology to a Washington-based startup formed to commercialize the OLED technology. Advanced Electroluminescent Systems (AES) plans to develop lighting materials to compete with traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.  In 2005, AES was granted an award from the Washington Technology Center to help fund research and development.

The result, if successful, will be energy-efficient, bright, high-quality white light that is also more durable, stable, and cost-effective to manufacture than current lighting.

Story and photo courtesy of UW Tech Transfer