IPMS: Touch-sensitive area lighting system

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Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institut Photonische Mikrosystem (IPMS) have developed what they claim is the first touch-sensitive flat light source. The light comes from organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), a cold light source, meaning the touch controls are safe to use.

OLED technology is the first true area light source technology. It overcomes traditional restrictions of point-source lighting technologies, such as light bulbs and LEDs. The technology has the potential to provide highly efficient homogenous area light sources.

“The touch function generates a completely new feeling of light. It’s like magic, turning on the light simply by a hand movement,” said Jörg Amelung, head of the business unit of organic materials and systems at Fraunhofer IPMS.

Switching and dimming the light can be easily controlled by a hand movement, removing the need for traditional controls. Usually, touch functions require additional touch foils on the top of the devices. The new touch function requires no additional hardware because the OLED itself is used to read out the touch signal. Apart from convenience, the researchers say the touch technology reduces the cost of lighting systems without affecting the efficiency of the OLEDs.