New Materials for Full Color Electroluminescent Displays

This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project explores the nature of photoluminescence and energy transfer in polyphenylene matrices. The polyphenylenes are highly fluorescent and have been shown to function in electroluminescent displays. Theproposed work attempts to fill the need for practical blue electroluminescent (EL) materials as well as improve performance of red and green devices. There are currently no blue fluorophores with sufficient lifetime and turn-on voltage meeting therequirements of display manufacturers. The proposed new materials are expected to provide red, blue, and green EL materials, with low turn-on voltage and long life. The total flat panel display market is projected to be over $20 B in 2002 (approximately100 MM displays), with EL displays representing 1% or $200 MM. The EL market is also expected to grow rapidly thereafter. The projected 1 MM EL displays for 2002 will provide a substantial early market for EL materials. EL displays have obviousapplications in both the civilian and government sectors. EL displays offer an opportunity for the U.S. to capture display manufacture, now largely overseas.The proposed new materials will be useful as the light emitting layers in Electroluminescentdisplays. The proposed materials will have superior operating voltage and efficiency than existing materials.