OLED Lighting - Vision becomes reality
OSRAM and Ingo Maurer mark lighting history
Early Future - exclusive table light by Ingo Maurer with OLEDs from OSRAM
In spring 2008, OSRAM and Ingo Maurer launch a mutual epoch-making project: Early Future - a table light with OLED-modules will be introduced to the market in a limited edition. The futuristic design triggers images of astronautical technologies. Maurer cites satellite solar collectors as one source of inspiration.
Whilst OSRAM Opto Semiconductors pays prime attention to the research and development of the technical potential of OLED, Ingo Maurer explores the design aspects and possibilities of the new light source, emphasizing its aesthetic characteristics.
Early Future is designed without any concealing reflectors. As in Maurer's design works with LED, technical elements are unveiled to accentuate their intrinsic beauty. Slight metal clips fasten the ten OLED-modules used in the lamp to the lamp stem, the cables being visible. Ingo Maurer calls his approach “a symbiosis of high-tech and low-tech”.
Flying Future, the larger suspended OLED object, consists of just an airy metal mesh to which about 100 of the white luminous panels are attached. By bending the mesh Ingo Maurer shapes the unique piece according to his imagination. Its wave-like rhythm offers astonishing impressions from each viewing angle.
Ingo Maurer is fascinated by the characteristics of OLED: “They have a totally different look than traditional light sources. They neither require reflectors directing the light into the right direction nor large sockets. Their lightness allows the realisation of long-standing visions of mine”. The futuristic design triggers images of space technologies. Maurer cites satellite solar collectors as one source of inspiration.
It is not only the shape of OLED which is different - the characteristics of their light are totally new as well. The radiant surfaces generate a diffused light, reducing the shadows and unwanted reflections - such as on computer screens, features that are advantageous to illuminating work desks.
Fast-paced progress
OLED light sources captivate with their specific characteristic of the large luminous surface. Already today their light quality and size are considerable. The modules used in both lighting objects by Ingo Maurer have a light-emitting surface of 132 x 33 mm2 and a luminance of 1000 cd/m2. Modules on small-molecule basis already achieve a lifetime of 2000 hours. Likewise the efficiency with 10 lm/W (polymer basis) respectively 20 lm/W (small-molecule basis) is quite remarkable.
Furthermore, as the development of organic light emitting diodes is progressing at a high pace, performance improvements will be achieved within a short period of time. The ambitious objectives lead to an exciting market forecast: the market introduction in 2008 will be followed by a variety of totally new and intriguing applications. In a third and final step, the huge market in general lighting can finally be supplied with OLED.
A new light dawns on us!
In the initial phase of the market introduction of OLED lighting, extraordinary design of high quality is of prime importance. With an eye to this, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors approached Ingo Maurer, who is renowned for his exceptional ideas in luminaires and lighting installations. Various spectacular LED lighting objects originated from Maurer's enthusiasm for new light sources. His low-voltage lighting system YaYaHo, created back in 1984, has long become a trendsetter. Instead of hiding new technologies in traditional design concepts, his designs highlight the novelty. Observers realize: this is the birth of a new light source. Initially, the OLED’s functionality might even be outshone by the fresh and fascinating form of the objects.
The future is (also) transparent
The unique features of organic light emitting diodes will strongly push the transition from the first phase to the second, from light sources for design objects to functional luminaires. Production of transparent OLEDs, as well as the exact definition of luminance and light emitting direction becomes feasible. At the same time, efficiency and brightness are rapidly raised and the improvement in manufacturing processes permits production at higher quantities. Lighting applications with to date unknown impressions will emerge.
In general lighting, such innovative applications could be transparent OLEDs in skylights and windows. In the daytime, the room is filled with natural light; at night the OLED provide lighting. Instead of turning to dark planes at night, sometimes considered an unpleasant visual, the windows become luminaires. OLED lighting will also convince in other areas of application. In a car, transparent backlights could be integrated into the rear window. However, OSRAM’s development objective is high volume production for general lighting.
This third phase, the mass-market phase, will commence as soon as OLED can be produced in large numbers and at highest quality standards, presuming a rising global demand. The OLED ECO Lighting falls into line with OSRAM’s development and research program, which aims at sustainability by providing efficient high quality light sources with large capacity and a long lifetime. OLED, an economical and ecological light source will become an important addition to the wide spectrum of general lighting and will attractively complement the light portfolio.
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors promotes progress in OLED
The scientific engagement in OLED is of prime importance for and at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. The company has been increasing its research and development capacities in this section for several years. The research team benefits strongly from synergy effects, resulting from the long lasting experience in LED research and development. Considerable investments in conjunction with a growing development team are meant to further accelerate future OLED development. OSRAM pinpoint lifetime, brightness and efficiency as their targets of development.
In addition, the aim is to transfer the intrinsic advantages of OLED-technology, such as transparency, flexibility and thinness effectively into applications and to make use of the enormous creative potential. Another main focus is on manufacturing processes that permit production of large OLED light sources in reliable quality and homogeneity. The major challenge is the invention of inexpensive technologies for mass production.
Research projects - turbo for developing OLED
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors participates - partly in leadership - in various projects funded by the European Community and the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), including the recent EU-funded project CombOLED. Its objective is to strengthen the European position, and it is part of a broadly based development initiative by the European Community, It is meant to promote the development of practical manufacturing processes for cost-effective OLED lighting applications as well as new component architectures for large transparent OLED.
According to OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, this is the greatest challenge in the near future. The enterprise co-ordinates all activities to back up this project. Moreover, it is strongly committed to the research project OPAL, which is funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and aims at progress in organic phosphorescence light emitting diodes for applications on the lighting market.
A glance into the future
The research and development initiative by OSRAM Opto Semiconductors puts the focus on a good balance of the OLED's performance level and their standard of suitability for daily use. Not merely pinsized laboratory samples, but modules for feasible applications are what is required.
An example is the sample of a transparent OLED, which has been developed in the research laboratories of OSRAM. The prototype lights an area of almost 90 cm2. It is an increase of the attractiveness of OLED light sources which the research and development initiative is looking for to help accelerate commercialisation. Inspiring design objects like Ingo Maurer's Early Future lead in the right direction.
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A glance into the future - atmospheric room illumination with OLED
Early Future – a work of art by Ingo Maurer with OLEDs from OSRAM
The OLED Lighting modules rotate individually
