SBIR-STTR Award

In previous research, a specialty solid-state lighting (SSL) device had been developed. A doped Polymer Light-Emitting Diode (POLED) device structure is used, which enables devices to be printed with low capital equipment and operating costs. Although the devices are efficient, thin, flexible, and robust, additional performance improvements would broaden the range of applications to interior building, safety, and night lighting. This project will identify the primary efficiency degradation mechanisms for doped POLED devices (in Phase I), and then develop a next-generation materials set for high-efficiency, longer-lifetime printed devices. Phase II will involve product demonstration, process scale-up, and pilot manufacture.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The next generation POLED technology for SSL should improve energy savings and overall product performance in future building applications, including digital electronic signage, architectural lighting, safety lighting, emergency and portable lighting, and other specialty lighting products. The print-based manufacturing approach of this OLED technology has inherently low cost capital equipment and operating costs, which should facilitate the early adoption, product start-up, and large scale manufacture of SSL devices

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% 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.