Licensing opportunity
Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre, in collaboration with INM, CSEM, Ciba, Hansaprint, UPM and PolylC, has developed what it says is a cost-effective method to manufacture flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) using roll-to-roll printing technology.
Energy efficient OLED technology is based on organic materials, that are the equivalent of three or four layers of paper in thickness (between 200 and 250 micrometres), and are encapsulated in a moisture barrier film. VTT Technology Manager Arto Maaninen believes the technology, that has applications such as product packaging and can be used to measure freshness of food within the packages, will be on the market by 2010.
VTT says its method for manufacturing OLEDs is faster and cheaper than the conventional glass substrate-based manufacture, and has proven its effectiveness when applied to packaging, on which a green tick becomes a red cross when the OLED fuse is blown after the package has been opened. The technology can also be applied to the printing of solar cells used as a power source for various small portable devices.
Within this project VTT developed the printing process, CSEM different patterning technologies, and INM anode inks and barriers. VTT also developed a low work function cathode ink that enhances the functioning of the components by lowering the power supply voltage and reducing power consumption.
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