Materials Degradation Analysis and Development to Enable Ultra Low Cost, Web-Processed White P-OLED for SSL

In order to reduce the capital equipment and operating costs involved in the printing of specialty solid state lighting devices, a new LED (light-emitting diode) device structure, based on the use of a doped polymer, has been developed. This project will advance this concept through degradation analysis and material and process development, in order to achieve additional performance and process improvements that would enable commercialization of this technology into a broader range of applications. In Phase I, device and encapsulation materials trials, as well as chemical analysis techniques, were used to analyze the degradation mechanisms that limit performance in air-printed doped polymer organic light emitting devices. These studies showed that lifetimes could be improved by 300 percent by implementing residual moisture control. In Phase II, moisture control materials will be developed to enable higher performance devices consistent with a low-cost manufacturing approach. Further degradation analysis will be performed to uncover additional limiting factors. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Commercial applications for printed, flexible, polymer organic LED technology should reduce national energy consumption and improve overall product performance in future building applications, including digital electronic signage, architectural lighting, safety lighting, emergency and portable lighting, and other specialty lighting products