Advanced Light Extraction Material for OLED Lighting

One of the major hurdles to the commercialization of OLED lighting technology is its low light extraction efficiency when compared to its inorganic LEDs. Currently only 20 30% of the light produced by the OLED can be extracted. In order to be considered as a commercially viable option, OLED lighting efficacy has to improve dramatically. The mismatch between the refractive indices among the active layer, transparent conductive anode layer, ITO, and substrate is a major root cause of light loss. Incorporating any internal light extraction (ILE) layer that address this root cause can dramatically improve the efficacy and lifetime of the OLED device. In this SBIR Phase II project, based on the successful development of an innovative prototype ILE layer in the Phase I, the formulations and processes will be integrated into OLED lighting volume production process for commercialization. Solid-state lighting (SSL) such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) can lower the US consumption of electricity for lighting and contribute to approximately 50% in energy saving. Even though in terms of technological and commercial development, OLED lighting behind LED, it has several unique advantages. OLED devices can be ultrathin, flexible and the device can be deposited over any smooth large areas. Together with LED, OLED lighting can lead to reduction of carbon emission and other toxic gases, mercury pollution, and US dependency on foreign oil.