Philips Demonstrates World's First 230 Volt AC-Powered White-Light OLED Module

Traditionally, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) require low-voltage DC supplies to operate. But, Scientists from Philips (News - Alert) Research have developed the first-ever OLED module that can be powered directly from a main electricity supply. As a result, the prototype opens the door to OLED systems that can be directly plugged into standard wall outlets without the need for bulky power management circuitry, said the researchers.

Thus, by eliminating costly and space occupying power conversion circuitry, this development not only reduces bill of materials (BOMs) cost, but it also simplifies luminary design for future OLED-based systems, thereby accelerating commercialization of white light OLEDs for general illumination applications.

In a released statement, said Dirk Hente of Philips Research, “We have combined proprietary interconnect and packaging technology to create this demonstrator.” He added, “We’re already seeing AC-driven LEDs coming onto the market. Our prototype marks a breakthrough step towards a similar evolution in OLEDs.”

According to Philips Research, OLEDs offer many advantages. Like LEDs, OLEDs are solid-state and offer extremely efficient light emitters to reduce financial and environmental costs of lighting. Plus, they emit light over an extended area and produce calm glowing illumination. Moreover, the thin, flat nature of OLEDs makes it possible to create light sources of a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Furthermore, OLEDs are fully dimmable and can produce many different colors as well as white, including the kind of white light people appreciate from traditional light sources. This makes them an extremely attractive option for general illumination, said the researchers.

Meanwhile, in July, GE Global Research, the technology development arm for the General Electric Company , GE Lighting and Konica Minolta (News - Alert) (KM), achieved a major breakthrough in high-efficiency OLED lighting devices—56 lumens per Watt. GE and KM scientists jointly demonstrated illumination-quality white OLEDs using “solution-coatable” materials that are essential for producing OLEDs at a low cost.