OLED innovation could aid laboratory equipment manufacturers

Laboratory equipment manufacturers with a need to light areas with uniform levels of illumination could be able to do so better with organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology currently under development.

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) in Aachen, Germany, are working on large-scale OLED luminaires which could ultimately be able to light entire rooms with a sky-like ceiling.

For laboratory equipment manufacturers, their innovation could also mean lower-cost ways of providing uniform illumination within imaging or microscopy systems.

The technology depends on delivering current consistently through the indium tin oxide layer of the OLED, which typically dims at the centre due to poor conductivity.

By incorporating metal conductor paths to carry current to the centre of the panel, uniformity can be enhanced.

Using a mask and a laser to melt microscopic strips of conducting metal into the indium tin oxide layer, the researchers claim they have succeeded in devising a low-cost and low-waste way to do this.

The ILT works to solve customer demands for laser products and processes for a variety of applications including surface treatment, cutting and welding.