Roll-To-Roll Process for Transparent Metal Electrodes in OLED Manufacturing

Organic LEDs (OLEDs) on flexible substrates offer unique advantages for many lighting applications, due to their thinness, flexibility, and potentially low cost. However, the promise of OLED technology in providing a ¿disruptive¿ advance for a large segment of the lighting market cannot be realized until several critical technical and manufacturing barriers are overcome. These barriers include (1) devising a durable, low-cost and stabile front surface electrode layer; and (2) developing low-cost roll-to-roll manufacturing technology. This project will develop a new manufacturing technology that is capable of producing ultra-fine transparent metal mesh electrodes with high optical transmission, high electrical conductivity, and high durability at potentially very low costs. Phase I will provide a proof-of-concept of the viability of the proposed technology, and Phase II will provide the pilot-scale capability to provide rolls of material for commercialization assessment. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The low-cost, roll-to-roll OLED manufacturing technology should have numerous applications in addition to lighting, such as in the manufacture of roll-up TVs and displays, solar antennas for producing electricity from solar IR radiation, large sensor arrays, and IR-emission control films for military and homeland security applications.