Printed Electronics Conference

In the world of printed and thin film electronics, OLEDs appear to have the most potential for many years to come. This is because they are as relevant to lighting and signage as to moving colour displays. OLEDs have been early to commercialisation with sales of hundreds of millions of dollars yearly already. However, achieving the wide potential calls for advances in both device and production technology. To achieve these advances calls for new materials and new device geometry and deposition. We even need co-deposition of necessary ancillary components such as power sources and back plane drive circuits if we are to reduce cost and improve reliability (for example by having fewer interconnects). That calls for a wide range of developments including laminar flexible photovoltaics, batteries and fuel cells for power. Photovoltaics will sometimes need to be small in footprint and therefore high efficiency to achieve adequate power. In other OLED applications, such as airport signage and billboards, area and efficiency matter less than flexibility, low cost and adequate life and reliability. Different development programs across the world address the various options.