Researchers Develop New Technique to Reduce LED Cost

Researchers in Germany have developed a technique that is likely to decrease organic light-emitting diode (OLED) cost substantially and pave the way for highly energy-efficient, ultra-thin, and inexpensive displays and monitors.

Scientists of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology are working with Philips to generate a new manner of developing OLED displays.

OLEDs utilize organic molecules to develop a display panel on an electric substrate. The OLEDs, unlike plasma and LCD displays, do not require a backlight. They exhibit high contrast, are thinner than other kinds of displays, and utilize less energy. However, for the OLEDs to function efficiently, it is necessary to develop conductive metal strips on the underlying substrate. This allows the electrical current, which lights up the molecules to be equally distributed.

The Institute’s Project Manager, Christian Vedder and his colleagues have generated a technique that utilizes a combination of vapor and masks to deposit the optimal amount of material. A mask with small slits is created and this is where the conductive metal strips are placed.  Then a thin film of silver, copper, or aluminum is placed over the mask. A laser is then used to melt the metal. Vapour is utilized to generate adequate pressure to push the metal inside the slit. The scientists stated that the system is likely to be commercialized in the next three years.