Polymer White Light Emitting Devices

73051S03-I Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) technology is considered to be the most promising type of solid-state lighting for providing flexible, vibration and shock resistance, and environmentally friendly illumination for general lighting. However, currently available OEL materials and device fabrication techniques do not meet the market requirements of high brightness, white light quality, high luminescent efficiency, long lifetime, and low cost. This is preventing OELs from breaking into large-scale commercial markets and dominating the general illumination industry. This project will utilize a novel frozen p-i-n junction for light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEC), thereby avoiding many of the problems facing other technologies (e.g., organic light emitting diode devices), such as unbalanced charge injection, sensitivity to film thickness, and reliance on low work function metals. Phase I will demonstrate the functionality of the new material technology for LECs with frozen p-i-n junctions and the applicability of the materials to OEL devices. Devices fabricated with the new materials will be tested for white light quality, high efficiency, high brightness, low operating voltage, and insensitivity to electrode materials and film thickness. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The technology should be extremely beneficial for all general lighting applications of solid-state lighting devices, and beyond that, for high brightness image displays, sign indicators, automobile display applications, and safety cloths.