Environment & Energy
Related: About this forum(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 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 OLEDsthe 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 dont 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 Kodaks 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.
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liberal N proud
(60,289 posts)The initial cost is more but the durability makes them more viable.
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)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)(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)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)For room lighting, you dont need an Active Matrix.
Organic LEDs still have a way to go, but thats kind of what the OP is about (theyre making fast progress.)