Organic Light Emitting Diodes
Our solution processable metal oxide materials can be used in a range of technology applications. In particular technologies such as Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) that utilise the novel electroluminescent properties of organic semiconductors to emit light in red, green and blue colours are leading the way in next generation displays for TV and mobile devices. OLEDs also have the potential to revolutionise the lighting industry with highly efficient white lighting. Typically in these devices the organic material used is either 'small molecule' or 'polymer'. Currently most commercialised devices use small molecules which are deposited via high vacuum evaporation methods. However much research and development is focused on polymers as these organic semiconductors can be more easily processed from solution thus paving the way for printed electronics. Metal oxides are important components of OLED devices where they are used as charge injection layers. These hybrid devices are also known as HyLEDS. The ability to print the metal oxide makes it compatible with roll-to-roll (R2R) and inkjet printing methods. See our products for solution processable metal oxides.
Thin-Film Transistor
The field effect transistor, undoubtably one of the worlds greatest inventions, launched and still drives the information and communications age. The devices we use today run on processors made of billions of transistors which are patterned on silicon wafers. Silicon is relatively cheap, however to build a modern microprocessor fabrication facility costs several $billion of investment. Silicon is very similar to glass in its physical material properties. Plastic Electronics is being made possible by Organic Field Effect Transistors (OFET) and Thin-Film Transistors (TFT). These technologies allow for the creation of new products that combine the lightweight, robust, flexible, transparent properties of plastics with the latest computing intelligence and display capabilities. Metal oxides are utilised both as charge injecting materials and active semiconductors in these devices.
Solar Cells
These novel technologies can also be applied to solve problems in the important areas of energy generation and storage. In particular Organic Solar Cells (OSC) also known as Organic Photovoltaics (OPV) are an area of major research. The efficiency of these solar cells is still relatively low (approximately 10%) although the technology is improving year upon year and the 'cost per watt' can be reduced by low manufacturing and transportation costs. If improvements in efficiency and lifetime can be maintained we should see wider commercial adoption of this nascent technology. Metal oxides are used as charge extraction layers in OPVs and are also used in energy storage technologies such as batteries.