Researchers Develop Cost-Effective, Flexible OLED Displays

December 8th, 2008 by Ariel Schwartz

Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs)— high-quality, energy-efficient displays — are already used in some flat screen TVs. But they’re about to become common in everything from electronic paper to adaptive clothing thanks to researchers at the VTT Technical Centre in Finland.

The ROLLED project has found a way to print OLEDs on flexible protective films. The films use a technique called roll-to-roll processing that allows OLEDs to be printed in a fast, cost-effective manner.

In comparison, current OLEDs are produced in a glass substrate.

Since the devices require minimal energy, they can be powered by solar cells, small watch batteries, and even radio waves.

Once the ROLLED research makes OLEDS affordable, they may be embedded in clothing, used in “smart” product packaging, used as paper billboard replacements, and more.

Photo Credit: ROLLED

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Tags: OLED, rolled, vtt

About the Author

Ariel Schwartz was formerly the editor of CleanTechnica and is a senior editor at Co.Exist. She has contributed to SF Weekly, Popular Science, Inhabitat, Greenbiz, NBC Bay Area, GOOD Magazine, and more. A graduate of Vassar College, she has previously worked in publishing, organic farming, documentary film, and newspaper journalism. Her interests include permaculture, hiking, skiing, music, relocalization, and cob (the building material). She currently resides in San Francisco, CA.

http://www.solartronenergy.com/ Solar tronenergy

I came to this site off of a link from a blog on the Christian Science Monitor. I really like the sheer volume of news – and the pictures.
- http://www.zacharyshahan.com Zachary Shahan
  
  Thanks a lot. We appreciate it
michael Gartner

Do you know of a companty using this roll technology to create outdoor led signs?
michael Gartner

Do you know of a companty using this roll technology to create outdoor led signs?
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Allow consumers to easily invest in this, and it will boom. I don’t want to wait 5 years, start pumping this stuff out!
http://Digg.com Joe Schiel

Allow consumers to easily invest in this, and it will boom. I don’t want to wait 5 years, start pumping this stuff out!
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Great article! Thanks!
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Great article! Thanks!