Novel Low Cost Single Layer Outcoupling Solution for OLED Lighting

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED), potentially an inexpensive diffuse source, may compete directly with conventional lights, and also with inorganic electroluminescent lamps in energy efficient diffuse lighting applications. A key challenge for improving device efficiency is to extract more of the light trapped in the device by means of a low cost, manufacturable and thin form factor outcoupling solution. UDC proposes to develop a low cost and scalable single film outcoupling enhancement technology that with only a thin form factor can increase the efficiency of OLED lighting panels by greater than a factor of two. We have identified a new method of uniformly dispersing titanium oxide scattering particles in a polymer matrix, without allowing aggregation. This new method overcomes the problems associated with previous methods of fabricating multi-layer internal extraction systems, and can therefore enable uniform large area OLED lighting panels using low cost solution processing techniques projected at & lt; & lt; $1/m2, meeting the goals of the DOE MYPP. Commercial Applications and other Benefits Enormous energy savings (and reductions in carbon emissions) would come from replacing incandescent lighting in the residential market and fluorescent lighting in the commercial sector by high efficiency PHOLED lighting. Improving the light extracted from an OLED light source, and therefore its efficiency, at low cost would greatly increase the adoption and energy savings that could be harnessed from this technology and new form of solid state lighting.