MUNICH, Germany — A research project in Germany is intended to bring OLED-based large-area displays lighting applications closer to commercialization. The project focuses on materials, with longevity and efficiency being the central aspects.
Within the NEMO (New materials for OLEDs) project, four commercial companies and seven research and academic institutions collaborate on improvements for OLED materials. While each one of the institutions involved focuses on a relatively small improvement, the participants hope the overall result will bring large OLED applications much closer to its market breakthrough. The project aims at large OLED applications for TV screens, lighting purposes or even active traffic signs based on luminescent material.
Common denominator for the project is a multilayer OLED architecture based on glass coated with indium stannic oxide as charge carrier injection layer. Each project participant gets granular on a different aspect of the OLED technology: Liquid crystal technology expert Merck KGaA (Dramstadt) will develop and test novel emitter systems based on soluble small molecules. Ormecon GmbH (Amersbek) and DELO GmbH & Co KGaA (Windach) are concentrating on effectiveness improvements. Alternatives to today's expensive and brittle indium stannic oxide materials are in the focus of H.C. Starck Clevios GmbH (Leverkusen). The company hopes that its polymer anode materials will bring the breakthrough. At the same time, Ormecon will analyze the mechanisms that are limiting the durability of today's OLEDs.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (Potsdam) will develop and test emitter systems based on polymers as opposed to small molecules used in current OLED designs. Also focusing on emitters but with a different approach is the Tuebingen university: The researchers there will focus on metal cluster compounds.
The Berlin-based Humboldt university will conduct a research on modular synthesis strategies for novel electron transport materials in the layer between cathode and anode.
Further topics within the NEMO project are simulating emitter materials as well as physical properties of charge carrier transport and its dynamics within OLED materials. Merck KGaA is coordinating the project.
The Project, designed to last for about two-and-a-half years is funded by the German federal government with 32 million euros (about $47 million).
Related links and articles:
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