All In Good Taste / May 2006
Let There Be Light
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) emits a brilliant white light when attached to an electricity supply. It’s a simple idea that could revolutionize the lighting world over the next decade. The material can be printed in wafer thin sheets that could transform walls, ceilings or even furniture into lights. The OLEDs do not heat up like today’s light bulbs and so are far more energy efficient and expected to last longer. Today, more than 20% of electricity used in US buildings is consumed by lighting and nearly half that amount is used by traditional, incandescent light bulbs.
Scientists in a variety of fields have been working on possibilities to reduce the mammoth energy demand. Until recently, they haven’t been able to generate sufficient light to illuminate a room.
To create the new material, the scientists build up ultra-thin layers of plastics coated with green, red and blue dyes. When an electric current passes through the layers, they combine to produce white light.
Previous attempts to make OLEDs like this have failed to make an impact because traditional phosphorescent blue dyes are very short lived. The new polymer uses a fluorescent blue material instead which lasts much longer and uses less energy. The new material can also be printed onto glass or plastic and so in theory could create large areas of lighting, relatively cheaply
Researchers believe that eventually this material could be 100% efficient, meaning it could be capable of converting all of the electricity to light, without the heat loss associated with traditional bulbs.
Before revolution becomes reality, scientists must perfect a way to seal the LEDs from moisture. Moisture can contaminate the sensitive material, causing it to no longer function.
If that problem can be successfully addressd, the new polymer could eventually become the material of choice for stylish, environmentally friendly lighting in an amazing array of possible places..
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