PSN ID
by Thin, Flexible LEDs Might Give Us Roll-Up Computer Screens
LEDs
have been creeping into more and more everyday applications since they
were discovered in the 1960s, but until now their placement and usage
has been somewhat limited. Researchers at the University of Illinois
think that they’ve figured out a way to make stretchable, flexible LEDs
that will make it possible to use them in never-before-seen types of
displays and configurations.
In general, organic LEDs (used for applications like cell phone
screens) are smaller, cheaper and easier to produce, but inorganic LEDs
(like you might see on an outdoor electronic billboard) are brighter and
more durable. This new technology combines the best attributes of both
types of LEDs and makes it possible to use them in thin, flexible arrays
that were impossible with inorganic LEDs until now.
The new LEDs are manufactured by depositing light-emitting material
onto a wafer layer, with a “sacrificial layer” between them. The
sacrificial layer is dissolved away (leaving the wafer free to be used
again, unlike traditional LED manufacturing methods) and the LEDs can
then be mounted to just about any substrate. The applications are varied
and exciting. The research was partially funded by Ford, who want to
include a red flexible LED brake light on future vehicles. The flexible
LEDs could also be used for roll-up computer/television screens, or health monitors worn directly on the skin.
LEDs
have been creeping into more and more everyday applications since they
were discovered in the 1960s, but until now their placement and usage
has been somewhat limited. Researchers at the University of Illinois
think that they’ve figured out a way to make stretchable, flexible LEDs
that will make it possible to use them in never-before-seen types of
displays and configurations.
In general, organic LEDs (used for applications like cell phone
screens) are smaller, cheaper and easier to produce, but inorganic LEDs
(like you might see on an outdoor electronic billboard) are brighter and
more durable. This new technology combines the best attributes of both
types of LEDs and makes it possible to use them in thin, flexible arrays
that were impossible with inorganic LEDs until now.
The new LEDs are manufactured by depositing light-emitting material
onto a wafer layer, with a “sacrificial layer” between them. The
sacrificial layer is dissolved away (leaving the wafer free to be used
again, unlike traditional LED manufacturing methods) and the LEDs can
then be mounted to just about any substrate. The applications are varied
and exciting. The research was partially funded by Ford, who want to
include a red flexible LED brake light on future vehicles. The flexible
LEDs could also be used for roll-up computer/television screens, or health monitors worn directly on the skin.
