Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

OKIsItJustMe

(19,933 posts)
Fri Oct 10, 2014, 11:16 AM Oct 2014

(OLED) Lighting Sheets Would Use Half as Much Power as (CFL) Lightbulbs

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/531351/lighting-sheets-would-use-half-as-much-power-as-lightbulbs/
[font face=Serif][font size=5]Lighting Sheets Would Use Half as Much Power as Lightbulbs[/font]
[font size=4]OLEDs are highly efficient but expensive. Better materials and manufacturing methods are changing that.[/font]
By Kevin Bullis on October 7, 2014
[font size=3]The next big thing in lighting could be glowing sheets that use half as much energy as an equivalent fluorescent fixture and can be laminated to walls or ceilings. The sheets will contain organic LEDs, or OLEDs—the same kind of technology used in some ultrathin TVs and smartphones.

OLEDs could be used in large sheets, because organic light-emitting molecules can be deposited over large surfaces. They also run cooler than LEDs, so they don’t require elaborate heat sinks, making a lighting structure simpler. OLED lighting is 10 to 100 times more expensive than conventional lighting, but as costs come down, it could eventually replace conventional fluorescent fixtures.

In recent weeks, researchers have announced advances that could greatly improve the efficiency of OLED lighting. For example, a startup called Pixelligent has found a way to double or triple the light output. It does this via nanoparticles that ease the transition for light as it passes between the parts of an OLED device. This prevents reflections and allows more light out.

Various companies are also making progress toward lowering costs. Konica-Minolta and OLED Works (a business formed from Kodak’s former OLED division) are both developing cheaper new manufacturing techniques. These companies, as well as the Dutch company Philips, plan to scale up production of OLED lighting in the next year or two, which should also lower prices.

…[/font][/font]
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
(OLED) Lighting Sheets Would Use Half as Much Power as (CFL) Lightbulbs (Original Post) OKIsItJustMe Oct 2014 OP
LED is the best lighting technology hands down liberal N proud Oct 2014 #1
Not sure that I understand the appeal of these OLED sheets over the LED tapes KurtNYC Oct 2014 #2
That ribbon looks fragile to me OKIsItJustMe Oct 2014 #3
They use OLED (Active matrix) on large TV screens now and one of the main drawbacks is the fragility KurtNYC Oct 2014 #4
TV’s (of course) are different. There, you want point source light. OKIsItJustMe Oct 2014 #5

liberal N proud

(60,289 posts)
1. LED is the best lighting technology hands down
Fri Oct 10, 2014, 11:23 AM
Oct 2014

The initial cost is more but the durability makes them more viable.

KurtNYC

(14,549 posts)
2. Not sure that I understand the appeal of these OLED sheets over the LED tapes
Fri Oct 10, 2014, 11:38 AM
Oct 2014

that are available now.

LED tapes, like the ones shown below, are as cheap as $2 per foot and can be wrapped around poles, embedded in glass, laminated to diffusion materials, retro-fitted onto existing T8 fixtures, stuck directly onto dry wall, can backlight glass and with its self adhesive backing, can turn almost any object into a light source. It is 12vDC native and ready for use with solar energy systems with more efficiency than any system which must convert solar DC to AC power.



OLED has been touted for at least 7 years now and while it is great in some phones, I don't see the advantage for general lighting. One issue for LED is lack of spectrum (too narrow / low CRI), does OLED address this?

OKIsItJustMe

(19,933 posts)
3. That ribbon looks fragile to me
Fri Oct 10, 2014, 02:11 PM
Oct 2014

(Lots of solder joints for example.)

Compare that to this:
http://www.oledworks.com/technology/


Your LED ribbon is a series of small point sources. An OLED panel is a continuous light source.


http://energy.gov/eere/ssl/oled-basics

KurtNYC

(14,549 posts)
4. They use OLED (Active matrix) on large TV screens now and one of the main drawbacks is the fragility
Fri Oct 10, 2014, 03:34 PM
Oct 2014
The main disadvantages to AMOLED are fragility and brightness. Being organic, the materials within all OLEDs are prone to degradation, and are particularly susceptible to moisture damage. In addition, AMOLEDs are currently not able to equal the brightness of traditional LCD displays when used in direct sunlight. Both these issues, however, are considered, in the industry, to be solvable issues of the technology's newness.


http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-amoled.htm

The push in OLEDs now is to make them more flexible and less prone to water damage.

Now I'm wondering what ever happened to LEP (light emitting plasma) that was so hyped 3 years back as a general light source? ...googling...I'm seeing lots more products but still pricy at about $600 to $900 per (but I still want one). Great CRI, great output.

http://eastwesthydro.com/grow-lights/lep-plasma-fixtures/gavita-pro-300-light-emitting-plasma-02-air-cooled-lep-906065?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=product-feed


OKIsItJustMe

(19,933 posts)
5. TV’s (of course) are different. There, you want point source light.
Fri Oct 10, 2014, 03:55 PM
Oct 2014

For room lighting, you don’t need an “Active Matrix.”

Organic LED’s still have a way to go, but that’s kind of what the OP is about (they’re making fast progress.)

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»(OLED) Lighting Sheets Wo...