UCLA researchers make a landmark progress in stretchable OLEDs

Here is a fully stretchable organic light-emitting diode (OLED) from a team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles. Researchers have designed the stretchable OLED combining carbon nano-tubes and polymer electrodes onto an elastic light-emitting plastic. The stretchy OLED is counted as an inventive discovery since researchers have been working on to develop it for a while.

A display with a stretchable OLED

The UCLA researchers demonstrated a two-centimeter square with a one-centimeter square stretchable OLED that emits blue light. More details about the project, and its functioning have been elaborately mentioned in an article in Advanced Materials in July 2011 by the researchers.

There have been several challenges in designing a stretchable OLED display. But the UCLA researchers have simply managed to get rid of all barriers. Several researchers previously attempted to slot in carbon nanotubes onto expandable plastic straps. But it did not work well since the nanotubes slithered while stretching the plastic.

But the Los Angeles researchers have wonderfully made the achievement in their efforts to develop the stretchable OLED. They slotted in carbon nanotube-polymer blend on the both the sides of the light-emitting and expandable plastic. Thanks to the method, the OLED works even in its stretchy mode. Indeed, this is the revolution the UCLA researchers have realized.

According to Zhenan Bao, a Standford professor, who works on expandable solar panels, the biggest downside of the experiment was the roughness of carbon nanotubes. Since the carbon nanotube was uneven to handle, efforts to develop a stretchable OLED often failed. But the UCLA researchers have depended on innovative ways to develop the long-cherished expandable OLED.

But the research on the stretchable OLED is not over, yet. More studies and experiments are needed to entirely resolve the shortfalls with the OLED. After being stretched longer or several times, the conductivity has been found losing. It means that more studies are needed to make it a full-fledged stretchable OLED, Ms. Bao adds.

The anticipation for a stretchable OLED is about to get a product. The newly developed once is closer and closer to a sophisticated electronic skill. Once ready for use, the stretchable OLED can be used on TV sets and for many other purposes.

Since the OLED is elastic, you can carry the devices made of the technology can be carried pocket. TVs, smartphones and monitors will get stretchable versions. That means portability will be more comfortable.

Via: Physorg