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First we have printable solar panels converting light to electricity...now we have printable lights panels, converting electricity to light!
GE has, after four years of knowing it's possible, but not quite being able to do it, printed a light-emitting organic film in a roll-to-roll process. So...why is this important?
- Because the OLED (organic light emitting diode) film is extremely efficient.
- Because printing roll to roll makes OLEDs far easier to mass produce, and thus cheaper.
- Because OLEDs can be used in a huge variety of lighting applications, moving the world beyond lightbulbs and into a whole new paradigm of lighting.
Imagine a world where your wall glows at a brightness determined by ambient lighting and personal preference. Lamps might soon be obsolete, and the whole discussion about swtiching light bulbs completely moot.
Of course, the news comes with a dark side as well:
- The OLEDs are not yet as efficient as regular LED and compact fluorescent lights.
- They may allow us to increase energy use by decreasing the cost of lights. Imagine OLEDs in advertising on every shelf in the grocery store, all consuming electricity with the goal of making us buy more.
- OLEDs currently don't put off an attractive light, and the technology is still at least three years away.
GE says that they could have OLEDs for sale commercially as light sources by 2010, but that seems wildly optimistic to me. I expect it to be another five to ten years before the light quality and efficiency are acceptable to consumers.
It is certainly possible that this system might be used in electronics by around 2010, but as a dedicated source of lighting, I just can't see it.
Note: EcoGeek has been offered the opportunity to discuss this new technology with GE's head OLED scientist Anil Duggal. If you've got anything questions you'd like me to ask Anil, please leave them in the comments. I'll see what I can get to.
Via GE Press Release
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written by net97surferx, March 12, 2008
I know OLEDs are the coming 'thing' since the addition of organics make them 10x (?) or more brighter.
My question is... how does the 'working life' of an OLED stack up to a standard LED which normally rates 100,000 hours or more? I would think the organic component is almost a 'planned obsolescence' sort of deal.
My question is... how does the 'working life' of an OLED stack up to a standard LED which normally rates 100,000 hours or more? I would think the organic component is almost a 'planned obsolescence' sort of deal.
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written by Magnulus, March 12, 2008
This is awesome stuff! Got a few questions here:
From what I can remember, OLEDs tend to have a shorter life span than LCD displays, so what's being done to combat that?
Also: If OLEDs were used as a light source, would they also double as programmable screens? For example: Could you have a strip of OLED lighting on your wall and have it act as a visualiser, reacting to the sounds in the room (ie. music, etc)? Could it show, for example, a nice and calm wave that moves across the length of the strip?
What are the biggest hurdles that they're facing right now in the development?
Would the home lighting application of these be in the form of small light sources like today's LEDs and light bulbs, or will they come in the form of screen-like strips, like a sort of ultra-thin lightbox? I really like the idea of the light coming from not a bulb behind the lamp shade, but the lamp shade itself. Bigger, less intense light sources for the win! ^_^
From what I can remember, OLEDs tend to have a shorter life span than LCD displays, so what's being done to combat that?
Also: If OLEDs were used as a light source, would they also double as programmable screens? For example: Could you have a strip of OLED lighting on your wall and have it act as a visualiser, reacting to the sounds in the room (ie. music, etc)? Could it show, for example, a nice and calm wave that moves across the length of the strip?
What are the biggest hurdles that they're facing right now in the development?
Would the home lighting application of these be in the form of small light sources like today's LEDs and light bulbs, or will they come in the form of screen-like strips, like a sort of ultra-thin lightbox? I really like the idea of the light coming from not a bulb behind the lamp shade, but the lamp shade itself. Bigger, less intense light sources for the win! ^_^
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written by Robert W., March 12, 2008
What is the typical spectral output for printable OLEDs? If people still find fluorescent light unacceptable, OLEDs are going to need a wide and smooth spectrum to gain acceptance.
What are the power requirements? A flat, flexible light source loses a lot of it's usefulness if it requires a bulky ballast or driver.
What are the power requirements? A flat, flexible light source loses a lot of it's usefulness if it requires a bulky ballast or driver.
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written by sule, March 12, 2008
OLED's, and PLED's, back in 1993 had a lifetime of 10,000 hours. They were predicting 100,000 hours within a few years of that 10,000 hour measurement. And they had reached 10,000 within 3 years of developing the technology. Now with all the methods of injecting organics between the diodes, and various forms of grafting the polymers and compounds, they should be able to well surpass 100,000.
I know that doesn't directly answer the question, but i think it should give a good idea as to how far it came within its first few years, and how it's likely to have already passed 100,000 hours.
I know that doesn't directly answer the question, but i think it should give a good idea as to how far it came within its first few years, and how it's likely to have already passed 100,000 hours.
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written by J Vail, March 12, 2008
What about a power source? Are they going to have to retro fit outlets and sockets in current homes and businesses? Or will they accommodate these until a new electric source and port can be set into new homes and other buildings?
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written by sule, March 12, 2008
What is the typical spectral output for printable OLEDs? If people still find fluorescent light unacceptable, OLEDs are going to need a wide and smooth spectrum to gain acceptance.
they already can span the spectrum, i think it's something like 400-700nm
What are the biggest hurdles that they're facing right now in the development?
i think its the efficacy of luminescence in flexible electronics, like this.
From what I can remember, OLEDs tend to have a shorter life span than LCD displays, so what's being done to combat that?
different methods of grafting molecular derivatives onto the main compounds, and the possibilities of injecting compounds like Ca2 , et al, to favourably alter the properties.
Would the home lighting application of these be in the form of small light sources like today's LEDs and light bulbs, or will they come in the form of screen-like strips, like a sort of ultra-thin lightbox? I really like the idea of the light coming from not a bulb behind the lamp shade, but the lamp shade itself. Bigger, less intense light sources for the win! ^_^
I'm about 70% sure this is possible, but its the ability to apply these technologies on larger scales that has been holding development back, a little...
What are the power requirements? A flat, flexible light source loses a lot of it's usefulness if it requires a bulky ballast or driver.
3-4V, but i can't remember for how large a surface...in any case, it requires less power than LCD's.
they already can span the spectrum, i think it's something like 400-700nm
What are the biggest hurdles that they're facing right now in the development?
i think its the efficacy of luminescence in flexible electronics, like this.
From what I can remember, OLEDs tend to have a shorter life span than LCD displays, so what's being done to combat that?
different methods of grafting molecular derivatives onto the main compounds, and the possibilities of injecting compounds like Ca2 , et al, to favourably alter the properties.
Would the home lighting application of these be in the form of small light sources like today's LEDs and light bulbs, or will they come in the form of screen-like strips, like a sort of ultra-thin lightbox? I really like the idea of the light coming from not a bulb behind the lamp shade, but the lamp shade itself. Bigger, less intense light sources for the win! ^_^
I'm about 70% sure this is possible, but its the ability to apply these technologies on larger scales that has been holding development back, a little...
What are the power requirements? A flat, flexible light source loses a lot of it's usefulness if it requires a bulky ballast or driver.
3-4V, but i can't remember for how large a surface...in any case, it requires less power than LCD's.
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written by Robbo, March 12, 2008
Will OLEDs be able to made flexible enough to be incorporated into fabrics and clothing design?
If so, I'm looking forward to renting illuminated ad space on my pants. By the time this technology evolves to this point the amount of space available for rental will, alas, be significant.
If so, I'm looking forward to renting illuminated ad space on my pants. By the time this technology evolves to this point the amount of space available for rental will, alas, be significant.
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written by Fascist Nation, March 12, 2008
I would especially like to know what the lifespan of the blue component is, since it is the shortest. So far 5,000 hours is for other OLEDs at best. Nowhere near good enough for TV. Still, this is very good news. You can sure bring costs down further. Maybe we can wad up and discard our TV's every 5,000 hours.
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written by PDF, March 13, 2008
Presuming the efficiency problems are solved in a few years, this is certainly good news.
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written by eathalal, March 14, 2008
Check out http://eathalalfood.blogspot.com/ Eat Halal light up your life...
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written by Whoopie, March 14, 2008
Imagine curtains that collected light from outside the window and stored it logn enough to give off ligth in the evening.
Or ceielings made of this materiel giving you a truely ourdoor feel to a room as light would come from an expansive overhead
Or ceielings made of this materiel giving you a truely ourdoor feel to a room as light would come from an expansive overhead
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written by Ken, March 15, 2008
Hi,
I think GE is the best company in the world. I have tried for years to become a research scientist with that company.
Here are my questions. I have thought of this for years. I would like to know if you could infuse an essestial oil with the organic stuff you are using in the lights. Lavender oil is from a blue flower. The oil is clear but may help with the life of blue light? Also the is a Eucalyptus oil that comes from Australia that has a blue tint to it? Or even blue tinted water sealed between the organic matter and the outside of the light? Or the glass on the inside of the outside of the strip be lined with the color of light you want to produce or build into the glass? One more question does the organic mass in the light continue to grow after it is made into a light?
I think GE is the best company in the world. I have tried for years to become a research scientist with that company.
Here are my questions. I have thought of this for years. I would like to know if you could infuse an essestial oil with the organic stuff you are using in the lights. Lavender oil is from a blue flower. The oil is clear but may help with the life of blue light? Also the is a Eucalyptus oil that comes from Australia that has a blue tint to it? Or even blue tinted water sealed between the organic matter and the outside of the light? Or the glass on the inside of the outside of the strip be lined with the color of light you want to produce or build into the glass? One more question does the organic mass in the light continue to grow after it is made into a light?
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written by Frank, March 17, 2008
Incandescent light bulbs produce a warm, white light that I personally am very used to. I dont like to use CFL's that are white - rather the more scare to find warm one's. Surely warm light LED's are better than white?
Frank - www.clean-energy.blogspot.com
Frank - www.clean-energy.blogspot.com
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written by sw, March 17, 2008
Ken,
You claim you are or would like to be a research scientist, but the content of your post is far out of character for such a claim.
First of all, "infusing" OLEDs with essential oils to improve their lifetime??
And asking if the "organic mass" in OLED lights continues to "grow" after production? Not to be harsh, but thats a terrible question and reveals a complete lack of understanding. The word "organic" in organic light emitting diode comes from the use of an electroluminescent (light emitting) polymer. "Organic" simply means the molecule contains carbon, like all polymers/hydrocarbons.
You really should read up on basic chemistry, and I don't say that in a mocking sort of way. I believe everyone in our society should have a basic scientific understanding.
You claim you are or would like to be a research scientist, but the content of your post is far out of character for such a claim.
First of all, "infusing" OLEDs with essential oils to improve their lifetime??
And asking if the "organic mass" in OLED lights continues to "grow" after production? Not to be harsh, but thats a terrible question and reveals a complete lack of understanding. The word "organic" in organic light emitting diode comes from the use of an electroluminescent (light emitting) polymer. "Organic" simply means the molecule contains carbon, like all polymers/hydrocarbons.
You really should read up on basic chemistry, and I don't say that in a mocking sort of way. I believe everyone in our society should have a basic scientific understanding.
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written by frisbee, March 18, 2008
Considdering the amount of enthousiastic reactions and ideas people express after reading this news, I suppose Hank's stated 'dark sides' on massive production en use of OLED's isn't that far of reasoning. Actualy, it worries me when I here some of you wanting to use cheap OLED's as an add space.
I wonder if we are ever going to understand that we need to use inventions on energy efficiency to combat climate change, not to worsen it. More over I wonder if ever higher energy efficiency will lead to a climate-sollution at all. I guess not as long as we are not put under (financial) pressure to lower our carbon output....
I wonder if we are ever going to understand that we need to use inventions on energy efficiency to combat climate change, not to worsen it. More over I wonder if ever higher energy efficiency will lead to a climate-sollution at all. I guess not as long as we are not put under (financial) pressure to lower our carbon output....
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written by gary, May 05, 2008
The OLED system has been in the new cell phones for awhile, it gave the phone a longer battery life and 400% improvement in Picture clarity and refresh rates.
LG electronic announced this about 6 years ago and and then went full speed into the application.
The power of this OLED strip will be impressive for Miners who can have more light to work with and run the OLED's from a above-ground Thin Film Solar cell collector during the day time .
I predict that a new system for low energy product will be able to send a Radio signal to a unit that amplifies it back into a electrical force to activate cells that inturn light up , this will reduce the tons of copper wires that carry small amount of Electrical forces to homes after the AC grid eats up the Voltage drops and then a transformer with PCB's to take 400v and make it 220v and 115v for the House use.
LG electronic announced this about 6 years ago and and then went full speed into the application.
The power of this OLED strip will be impressive for Miners who can have more light to work with and run the OLED's from a above-ground Thin Film Solar cell collector during the day time .
I predict that a new system for low energy product will be able to send a Radio signal to a unit that amplifies it back into a electrical force to activate cells that inturn light up , this will reduce the tons of copper wires that carry small amount of Electrical forces to homes after the AC grid eats up the Voltage drops and then a transformer with PCB's to take 400v and make it 220v and 115v for the House use.
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written by Ron McConico, April 06, 2010
I would like to partner with GE and develop a product that youth could sell to raise fund and create jobs for urban youth. This would also help us teach Entrepreneurship and would be a big win - win for us and GE. I know its about 3 yrs away but would like to start a conversion now. 612-529-0198
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wow
cant wait for the flexible electronics
-scott
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