OLED lighting Archives

OLED Daily Issue, April 23, 2019

April 23, 2019/in Others /by olednet

China also produces war skills… unstable OLEDs(THE DONG-A ILBO)

(Full text of articles: http://news.donga.com/3/all/20190421/95157197/1)

The Chinese companies’ volume offensive raised concerns that the OLED industry, following liquid crystal displays, could face oversupply problems. Analysts say that while South Korean display manufacturers’ performance in the first quarter has deteriorated due to a sharp drop in prices of LCD panels, even OLEDs, which are seen as new growth engines, could be on the verge of oversupply in the near future.

According to a recent report released by Hana Financial Management Research Institute on Monday, the production capacity of OLED plants currently being built by Chinese companies such as BOE, CSOT and TCL is twice that of South Korea.

Retirement of OLED business for general lighting… Accelerate selection and focus of ‘New LG’ (The Korea Economic Daily)

(Full text of articles: https://www.hankyung.com/economy/article/2019042211521)

LG Group is speeding up efforts to reorganize its business portfolio for future growth. LG Display’s decision to withdraw from its organic light-emitting diode (OLED) business for general lighting is part of its objection. The “choice and focus” strategy has become a keyword that penetrates LG Group Chairman Kwang-mo Koo “New LG,” who headed the group last year.

According to LG Group and others on the 22nd, LG Display has given up its OLED business for lighting that it has been pushing as a new growth engine. It has been about a year and six months since it started mass-producing products from new OLED production lines.

It is heard that LG Display has decided to withdraw from markets by gradually reducing mass production of OLEDs for lighting that are produced at 5th generation OLED lines (P5) in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. Instead, it has decided to focus on OLED markets for vehicles that have huge growth potential and can produce synergy with the group’s automotive electric field (electric and electronic devices) business. LG’s acquisition of ZKW, which is a global automotive headlamp manufacturer, also affected LG’s ability to provide lighting for vehicles.

LG Display entered the general lighting market by introducing a new brand called ‘Luplex’ at the end of 2017. However, it is rumored that it has decided to give up its business after losing out on price competition from current LED (light emitting diode) lighting companies.

LG Display, Showed OLED lighting for unmarried mothers

August 3, 2018/in Lighting /by Daejeong YOON

LG Display delivered 30 OLED lighting units, made by its employee volunteers, and baby products to 30 unmarried mothers.

This volunteer activity was carried out by the talent services of OLED lighting employees. OLED lighting business division donated 30 flexible OLED lighting panels, and the product planning team customized the lightings for breastfeeding for unwed mothers.

On July 27, the employee volunteers assembled light fixtures, which were customized by woodworking parts through social enterprises, and panels as finished products. In addition, various items needed for a baby and cheer letters for the unwed mothers were packed together. The packaged gift sets were delivered to 30 unmarried mothers living at the unmarried mothers’ facilities through the Eastern Social Welfare Society on July 30.

OLED lighting reduces light flickering and blue light, which affect eye health. And its mild light protects you from eye fatigue. It is also regarded as an eco-friendly product because it generates less heat and has no harmful substances. Since it is the organization that best knows the characteristics of OLED lighting, it suggested the service of delivering the OLED lighting for breastfeeding, made by its members, suitable for the baby-care environment.

Kim Yong-Jin, manager of the OLED lighting sales team who participated in the volunteer service, said “I feel it was worthwhile to deliver the OLED lighting directly to the necessary neighbors although I have dealt with it for business. When I see the neighbors who were delighted with little help, I have to think once again that service activity is so much fun.

<Source: LG Display>

OLED lighting for automotive rear lamps, market will be opened in earnest?

March 23, 2018/in Exhibition /by olednet

OLED lighting applied to automotive rear lamps was introduced again.

At Light + Building 2018 in Frankfurt, Germany held from March 18 to March 23, 2018, LG Display exhibited the rear lamp to be applied to Mercedes-Benz S-class coupe. The OLED rear lamp, which was first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last October, is made up of 33 rigid OLED panels and a combination with LED.

<Mercedes-Benz S-class coupe’s OLED rear lamp introduced by LG Display>

The LG Display official expressed expectations for the OLED tail lights saying that “Rigid OLED lighting panel for rear lamps can meet all the requirements of the automobile manufacturers, including 15 years of life time and temperature testing of -40 to 80 degrees Celsius.” ”Since OLED allows greater design freedom and flexibility which other lights cannot follow, the OLED market for automotive rear lamps will grow significantly if the requirements of automakers are satisfied, by OLED panels inclusive of flexible OLED panels.”

Mercedes-Benz S-class coupe with OLED rear lamp is expected to be released in the first half of this year, and about 20,000 units will be produced in a limited series.

According to UBI Research, the market for OLED lighting for automobiles will grow at a CAGR of 81.1% percent from 2018 to 2023 to reach over 67 million units in 2023.

Meanwhile, LG Display received great attention from visitors at the Light + Building 2018 exhibition, by showcasing the rear lamp proto type with flexible OLED lighting panel, OLED lighting applied with crystal sound for the first time in the world, and various design lights using flexible OLED lighting panels.

At the 10th CAR-ELE JAPAN, Many Companies Unveiled Automotive OLED Display and Lighting

January 22, 2018/in Exhibition /by olednet

By Hana Oh (hanaoh@ubiresearch.com)

OLED display and lighting are expected to become increasingly applied to the interior and exterior of automobiles.

At CES 2018, Samsung Electronics introduced the OLED-applied dashboard. LG Electronics unveiled the center fascia with 14-inch OLED, and OLED set makers continue to exhibit their OLED applications for automobiles.

At the 10th CAR-ELE JAPAN held in TOKYO BIG SIGHT(Tokyo International Exhibition Center) on 17th, several companies including Tianma and Truly exhibited automotive OLED displays and lighting.

Tianma exhibited 4.2-inch, 5.46-inch and 5.99-inch OLED panels. The 5.99-inch OLED was a full-screen OLED, and the company official said “The full screen will be applied not only to mobile devices but also to automobiles such as CIDs and navigation systems due to the nature of automotive displays sensitive to visual impacts.” It is said they produced the OLED Panel with high luminance, including 5.46-inch and 4.2-inch OLED with luminance of 650 cd/m2, ensuring good high visibility under sunlight. In addition, they announced that they will manufacture unbreakable flexible type of OLED even though the exhibited OLEDs were all rigid type.

<Tianma’s Automotive OLED Panel>

Truly exhibited 5.5-inch OLED panel. The company’s official mentioned that although they can not disclose detailed specifications, it should be further developed in terms of reliability for the application to the current automotive displays. In addition, they announced that automotive potentials such as autonomous vehicles are so huge that the importance of displays that can provide visual information will become even more important, and therefore they will invest in it.

Lastly, Nippon Electric Glass introduced OLED lighting which was created in collaboration with OLEDWorks. “This was created as interior lights and taillights for vehicles.” and “The OLED lighting substrate uses IEL(internal extraction layer) to improve more efficiency when applied to indoor lights, and better visibility when applied to taillights,” explained the company’s official.”

Meanwhile, in relation to OLED lighting, OLED light source companies such as LG Display and Osram supplied the OLED lights for tail lights to finished car makers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. In particular, it is expected to start the OLED lighting market in earnest, for example LG Display’s announcement of full-scale operation of the Gen5 OLED light source production line in December.

OLED lighting, growing their presence

December 21, 2017/in Lighting /by olednet

By HyunJun JANG (hyunjun@ubiresearch.com)

As the OLED lighting has expanded its applications, the expectation is raised for the beginning of the OLED lighting market. In particular, LG Display has recently completed the OLED lighting production line and started attracting customers. As a result, there is much attention towards the growing OLED lighting market.

LG Display is said to supply its OLED lighting to Baskin Robbins Brown store in Cheongdam Dong and the ‘transparent connection solution’ applied OLED lighting to IOPE store in Myeong Dong. The company explains as the thickness of lighting is as thin as 0.88mm, it enhances aesthetic effect, and does not effect on cosmetics and other displays with less heat generated.

Until recently, compared to OLED display for mobile devices and TVs, OLED lighting has shown slow growth. However, OLED lighting is thinner, lighter, and more flexible so that it is now being consideres as a next generation lighting. By tapping on the strengths, it has applied not only to indoor lighting but to cars, exhibitions, and many other industries.

More recently, IKEA announced to release a new lighting product of Vitsand with 7 OLED panels while Mercedez-Benz decided to apply OLED lighting for taillights of both 2018 Benz S class Coupe and Cabriolet.

According to the 2017 OLED Lighting Annual Report published by UBI Research, the global OLED lighting panel market is expected to grow rapidly from 2020, becoming $1.9 billion worth of market by 2021.

Merck, presenting OLED materials for future cars at Frankfurt Motor Show

August 25, 2017/in /by olednet

Merck announced that it will exhibit automotive OLED tail lamp materials for the first time at the IAA (International Motor Show) 2017 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Merck is a manufacturer specialized in electronic materials, supplying key OLED emitter materials to display companies; not content with a display materials supplier, Merck will be able to secure its leading market position of an OLED material manufacturer through this event in the OLED lighting industry which has been drawing attention as the next generation OLED industry.

Merck has exhibited OLED lighting panels using Merck’s luminous materials in L + B 2016, and has shown its ambition to expand into the OLED lighting market by exhibiting various automotive OLED materials at the IMID 2016 exhibition.

Meanwhile, Merck plans to show how the smart chemical materials, including OLED materials, will be applied to the “car of tomorrow” at IAA 2017 (Hall 3.1, stand A21).

“Materials from Merck are already used to provide functionality and aesthetics in many sections of

a vehicle,” said Dieter Schroth, automotive platform manager at Merck. “In times of digitalization and connectivity, however, the potential of our technologies is still far greater than we can show at the IAA”, he added.

Aside from OLED tail lamp materials, Merck plans to showcase a variety of innovative solutions such as smart headlight system, materials to be applied to smart satellite antennas, and pigment for interior and exterior surfaces.

<Merck’s IMID 2016 exhibition booth>

iMiD 2017 Industrial Forum, a networking event to predict the next generation OLED market

August 25, 2017/in /by olednet

■ “Finding a new OLED market” – Discussing OLED replacement in view of OLED application development

■ Discussing new technologies of future display (LCD, QD-LCD, OLED)

The potential of future OLED development is inexhaustible as OLED can be applicable to all industries including VR / AR, automotive, aerospace, and lighting not content with smart phone and TVs. There has been growing public interest in OLED in many different industries. To meet the market demand, Ubi Research, a market research company co-hosts ‘iMiD2017 Industrial Forum’ with Korea Display Society (KIDS) in BEXCO, Busan on 30th of August.

The forum will proceed with a panel discussion among key specialists and presentation, which will enable people from many different industries to exchange information not only on the display market but also current OLED market status, technology and explore a new market potential generated in the future.
In the first session ‘look for a new OLED market’, OLED replacement will be presented in view of OLED application development. The key players include Dr. Teruo Tohma, WooSeok Jeong, principal research fellow at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Julian K chang, Managing director of Boeing Corporation, Professor TAKUYA KOMODA at Yamagata University, senior researcher, Michi Hisaishi, ALPINE Michihisa Onishi.

The second session, ‘Discussion of New Technologies in Future Display’ will provide insight into the latest products and technology trend of TV manufacturers competing with one another to dominate the next generation display market. Nam-Suk Oh, CEO of Samsung Electronics will present an updated LCD TV using Quantum dots technology under the title of “Quantum Dot and Advance of LCD-TV”.

In the OLED TV camp, under the title of “OLED, Now and Future”, Joon-Young Yang at LG Display will review the current status of OLED TV led by the current market trends, and also address OLED future implemented in a wide range of ‘flexible and rollable’ designs.

Weir Cao, senior researcher at TCL, will present both the technology status of the Colloidal Quantum Dots and TCL products applied to LCD in the market, under the topic of “TCL Display Technology with QDs”. The premium TV strategies are expectedly revealed. Lee Choong-hoon, CEO of Ubi research co-host of this forum, offered a time to summarize the premium TV market on the topic of ‘OLED TV market outlook by premium TV market expansion’ by analyzing the presentations of the companies that presented earlier.

For more information on the 17th iMiD2017 Industrial Forum, please visit iMiD2017 official website (http://imid.or.kr/2017/indi_forum.asp).

LG Display’s OLED lighting ‘Medusa’ OLED wins the MIAW awards

June 2, 2017/in Display /by olednet

During Euroluce 2017 held in Milan, Italy, LG Display showcased two OLED masterpieces called ‘Medusa’ and ‘Pyrosome’ made by Ross Lovegrove, known as ‘Captain Organic’. The collaboration with flexible LG OLED light panels attracted the attention of many visitors and many designers, architects, and lighting experts were inspired by the unique and aesthetic design.

‘Medusa’, one of the most outstanding collaboration masterpieces made with flexible LG OLED light panels, has won the MIAW (Muuuz International Awards) organized by the ArchiDesignClub in partnership with Muuuz magazine.

The awards intend to identify every year the most outstanding new products for Construction & Architecture Layout, Coatings & Materials, Home furniture, Lighting, Kitchen & Bath, and Outdoor, and Lovegrove’s ‘Medusa’ has proudly won the Lighting category.

LG Display said that by winning the award, LG OLED light will be promoted through an extensive communications distribution package and flexible LG OLED light panels will have a greater chance to develop the OLED market and provide massive benefits to future OLED design features.

The award ceremony will be held in June, 2017 at the Grand Hotel Intercontinental Paris Opera.

[Euroluce 2017] LG Display, shows two new unique and novel lightings available only for OLED

April 5, 2017/in /by olednet

LG Display had attracted great attention by showing two new unique and novel lightings available only for OLED based on the theme of ‘The Light of Inspiration’ in Euroluce 2017, the world largest lighting exhibition held in Milano, Italy from April 4 to 9 in local time.

LG Display had showed two types of new OLED lightings similar to underwater creature in collaboration with Ross Lovegrove who is an industrial designer with world-class authority.

The first introduced ‘Medusa’ is from jellyfish, it consists of eight flexible OLED panels connected to the center ring, they can flex freely in different shapes. Ross Lovegrove said, “I wanted to express the natural gravity that the strip takes a natural shape by gravity”.

<‘Medusa’ of LG Display>

The second introduced ‘Pyrosome’ is a combination of 3D printed body and flexible OLED panel, Ross Lovegrove called it “it is a hybrid technology that combines a linear structure with a planar OLED panel”, also said, “very complex forms and technologies have met, so nobody can easily imitate it”.

<‘Pyrosome’ of LG Display>

In addition, LG Display had introduced a variety of household products such as mirror type and transparent shelf type lighting as well as diamond-shaped, round-shaped, cylinder-shaped, square-shaped industrial lighting.

Meanwhile, LG Display is under construction of Gen5 OLED lighting fab (1,100 mm x 1,250 mm) in Paju with the aim of mass production in Q3-Q4 2017, and aims to produce monthly 15,000 sheets. A person related to LG Display said “If mass production is started and increased production quantity, production cost and panel price would be lowered so that it will have sufficient price competitiveness”, and mentioned that OLED lighting would have sufficient competitiveness in not only the design but the price in the lighting market.

<‘Medusa’ installed in the middle of LG Display booth>

Softly bending OLED lighting like a paper, Development of Roll-to-Roll manufacturing technology

March 31, 2017/in Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display, Display /by olednet

Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM hereafter, Cheon-Hong Park, the president of KIMM), the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning-affiliated developed the 300mm grade of Roll-to-Roll manufacturing technology that allows to produce flexible OLED* by simple process with GJM Co., Ltd (Mun-Yong Lee, CEO) for the first time in Korea.

The Printed electronics research laboratory of advanced production equipment research center in KIMM succeeded in applying traditional Roll-to-Roll printed electronics technology to the OLED production process. Using Roll-to-Roll vacuum evaporation equipment, it is possible to produce flexible OLED products inside a single chamber as evaporating OLED light emitting organic layer and metallic electrode to roll type film in order. Available OLED products consist of many organic, inorganic layers of 1~hundreds nanometer (nm) level of thin and each layers are manufactured through vacuum thermal evaporation process.

Producing the flexible OLED display must go through complicated processes until now. The method that has been used so far is that attaching a film on the glass plate and passing it over the evaporation process to produce OLED, and then separating a film from the plate. The one-side curved display of smart phone screen which was launched by Korea conglomerate was made in the same manner of process which is attaching a film on a glass plate or coating and then circulating evaporation equipment to produce OLED and separating OLED from the glass plate. There were demerits of the need for adding additional process of attaching and detaching a film as well as for various additional evaporation equipment upon necessary steps.

Applying the currently developed technology, it is possible to produce OLED with ‘multi-layer evaporation’ process that evaporates organic layer and inorganic layer sequentially on top of a film after letting a roll type film which is rolled inside a vacuum chamber flow. The time and facilities required for production are greatly reduced, therefore, not only large companies but also small and medium-sized enterprises can produce flexible OLED.

This OLED producing method is expected to be used in the lighting industry first since it can be produced by surface unit unlike point unit of the existing LED, and be possibly made in any desired shape due to its flexibility.

Shin Kwon, senior researcher of KIMM explained “With Roll-to-Roll vacuum evaporation equipment, it can be used for continuous production of flexible OLED which is notable display for the next generation. Especially in the display industry, it is a key technology to secure the technology gap feasible to contribute to gain supremacy over China from its rapid pursuit while Korean R&D is stagnant.

Also added “we are under development of fine pattern mask align technology which allows to produce individual pixels Red/Green/Blue used in actual display product. When it’s completed, it can be applied to the high resolution display and is a strong technology differentiated from Fraunhofer in Germany and Konica Minolta in Japan developing similar technologies.

This task was conducted for the leading study sponsored by the ACE*** program which is a technical business support program of KIMM, and has been conducting with GJM Co., Ltd. with a support of the economic cooperation business of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy since Oct. 2015. GJM Co., Ltd. as a hidden champion holding core technology in OLED, recently made a delivery performance in Taiwan, Japan, and China and is pushing ahead with full-scale equipment commercialization.

OLED enabling various styling and designs is perfect to lighting for automobiles

October 25, 2016/in /by olednet

Applications of various lighting such as LED and OLED etc. have been expanded so as to implement unique designs and diversified functions of own brand by each automotive company as well as developments of automotive industry including smart-car and connected-car etc. are being made at the same time. In this regard, Center Head Ju Jae-young of Korea Photonics Technology Institute stated current situation by saying “Lighting for vehicles belongs to the business which expects profitability, but it is not easy for late starters to break in because entry barrier is high from characteristics of automotive industry. Ultimately, whether to stimulate purchase desires is important.” Also, he counted ‘styling possibilities’ as one of successful LED lighting by saying “The reason of getting more popularity of LED than existing halogen and HID is derived from the fact that LED has strong points in designs.”

And then, the Head forecasted like “The exterior deco of lamp market for automobiles overtook the interior deco market from the start of 2013, and 3.1B USB market will be made in 2019 by achieving annual 11.6% growth in average to 2019 from 2014,” and said “The exterior deco market will grow up over 15% annually, and DRL (Daytime Running Lamp) and Head lamp are leading market due to their high growth rates.”

Besides, Center Head Ju Jae-young stated “In order to enter market by OLED, it has to stimulate purchase desires with new designs which do not substitute LED simply,” and added “There are possibilities if designs are unique, and stimulate sensitivity like Fun- VII concept car of Toyota or lighting of Chrysler having been disclosed to the public in 2013.”

Like this, OLED is thin, light and can be bended characteristically, and has strong points such like free designs are available, so it is getting a lot of interests as next-generation illuminants including indoor lighting etc. as well as lighting for vehicles. According to 2016 OLED lighting annual report having been published in August 2016 by UBi RESEARCH, it explains that OLED lighting is known to display same performance with LED in R&D levels regarding characteristics of brightness and lifetime etc. as eco-friendly lighting and having high energy-efficiency, thus OLED seems to have sufficient competitiveness only if requested brightness is satisfied along with each automotive company.

OLED Technology, extend the field from automobiles to airline industry.

September 20, 2016/in Focus on /by olednet

It is expected that we may be able to meet flights with OLED technology soon.

In existing OLED market, display is applied in mobile field and lighting is applied in indoor lighting field, and it was known several companies seem to be proceeding projects to apply it at either rear lamp or dash board area of the automobile.

However, in IFA 2016 held in Berlin Germany, LG vice president of HE Bongseok Kwon had reporter meeting where he said “we are currently in negotiation with two global airlines to install OLED display at front monitor and window, and the period of application must be discussed for not only seats but also including all parts such as windows.

Especially, several companies including Lumiotech, OSRAM, and LG Inotech already introduced technologies for applying OLED in indoor purposes as well as other fields, and third panel companies are known to be developing technologies for engrafting airline industry, so there is much attention of the outcome of new application.

OLED is designed with thin and light characteristics as well as flexibility where it is good at utilizing space without taking up large volume. Due to its characteristics, the installation is easy without location or space restrictions. So if OLED is applied in window then the flight crew can control the light penetration without having to check the window, and also people will be able to check the flight information they desire through display, and diversify the size and shape of the main display and dashboard.

Aside from these visual effect, it is expected to lower the fuel usage by decreasing the total weight of the flight. According to the contents presented in UK governmental emerging institution CPI (Centre for Process Innovation) in 2014, the fixed fuel usage is expected to decrease by applying OLED due to decreased weight of the flight fuselage and fuel, and the fuel consumed by air-conditioning can also be reduced due to low power consumption and heat, as well as the exhaustion of greenhouse gas is expected to be minimized.

Along with this, OLED related application and its industry is expected to develop continuously. According to 2016 OLED Display Annual Report published by the market research company Ubi industry research, AMOLED market is expected to be worth 14,800 million USD in 2016, and approximately 71,705 million USD in 2020 where the average yearly growth of about 49%. Also, starting from 2019 where companies’ investments actually begin, the profit for OLED lighting will also largely increase which it is expected to reach above 7,500 million USD by 2025. Therefore, it is expected to see various types of applications with OLED display or lighting in the near future.

[Light+Building 2016] Sumitomo Chemical to Exhibit Polymer OLED Lighting

March 14, 2016/0 Comments/in Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on, Focus on /by OLEDNET

Sumitomo Chemical will exhibit its polymer OLED lighting at “Light+Building 2016,” one of the world’s largest trade fairs for lighting and building technology, to be held in Frankfurt, Germany, from March 13 to March 18, 2016.

This is the third time for Sumitomo Chemical to exhibit its products at the trade fair, following its previous participation in 2014. Sumitomo Chemical will run a booth at the trade fair, inviting the world-renowned Japanese lighting designer Motoko Ishii as the art director for the exhibit.

Sumitomo Chemical’s exhibit, named “OLED JARDIN,” symbolises a “Garden in the Sky” as formed from polymer OLED lighting panels, creating an approachable space of a vast expanse with a taste of Japanese grace added.

In addition to “OLED JARDIN,” Sumitomo Chemical will exhibit its newly-designed OLED panels, improved for brightness and luminance efficiency from those displayed in the previous trade fair. The new polymer OLED panels, available in a range of colors, shapes and sizes, provide a greater degree of flexibility in the design for various spaces and applications.

Following the exhibit at “Light+Building 2016,” Sumitomo Chemical will start the sales of its new product line-up consisting of polymer OLED lighting panels in April this year, aiming to further expand its OLED lighting business.

[Lighting Japan 2016] Yamagata University Develops Low Cost Flexible OLED Encapsulation

January 15, 2016/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Innovation Center for Organic Electronics in Yamagata University in Japan discussed low cost flexible OLED encapsulation in Lighting Japan 2016 conference. Existing flexible OLED encapsulation mainly used hybrid encapsulation structure that forms multi-layer thin film passivation layers on top of OLED, and then applying adhesive organic material and laminating gas barrier film. The encapsulation structure presented by Yamagata University forms, of the hybrid encapsulation structure, thermoset resin and barrier film above OLED without multi-layer thin film passivation, and laminate at approximately 130 °C. Yamagata University announced that they were successful in transparent flexible OLED panel development on January 13 using encapsulation, and that this panel will be presented in Printable Electronics 2016 in Tokyo from January 27.

The OLED panel to be exhibited is a leaf shaped of 45 mm width, 110 mm length, weighs less than 1.2g, and 250 um thick transparent film substrate that can be folded.

According to Yamagata University, if the newly developed encapsulation is applied, the OLED lighting panel price can be reduced as passivation layer is not used. Also, Yamagata University revealed as it can satisfy both transparent and flexible categories simultaneously, it is estimated that it will become a key technology in future transparent flexible OLED lighting development.

Low Cost Flexible OLED Encapsulation, Yamagata University

Sumitomo Chem. Aims for General Lighting Market with P-LED

January 15, 2016/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Sumitomo Chemical’s Decorative P-LED Lighting Panel, Lighting Japan 2016

Sumitomo Chemical revealed that they are planning to enter the general lighting market with solution process applied P-LED (polymer OLED).

Sumitomo Chemical is a company developing polymer and solution process applied OLED lighting panel. The company began actively selling decorative OLED lighting panel from H2 2015.

In Lighting Japan 2016 exhibition, Sumitomo Chemical announced that through their polymer materials and process technology, 80-90% of evaporation materials efficiency, and lifetime of approximately 20,000 hours at white 60-80 lm/w have been achieved. From 2017, they are planning to commercialize solution process OLED lighting panel as general lighting, as well as for decorative use, and revealed that the biggest issues are cost and improvement of consumers’ OLED awareness.

According to these issues, Sumitomo Chemical explained that although the cost of emitting area formed through solution process, cost down of evaporation formed emitting area and electrode part is required further. Although the 20,000 hours of lifetime is satisfactory, as consumers are aware that LED lighting’s lifetime is 40,000 hours or longer, Sumitomo Chemical pointed out it is important to change consumer’s OLED lighting awareness and understanding of lighting products.

by Moojong Lim, reporter@olednet.com

[Lighting Japan 2016] LED Lighting Industry Crisis. Solution?

January 14, 2016/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Osram Bussiness Unit Digital Systems’s CEO, Geert van der Meer, Lighting Japan 2016

In Lighting Japan 2016 Keynote Session, Geer van der Meer, CEO of Osram Business Unit Digital Systems, suggested directions for future lighting industry.

Geert van der Meer explained that the current lighting market is rapidly adopting LED, but the large volume of Chinese products is decreasing the price of LED source and device quickly. He emphasized that with the trend of disappearance of lighting companies’ profit, new business format is required to create profit.

The new businesses suggested by Osram are embedded lighting, and connected and smart lighting. He suggested lighting industry should move toward where the lighting can be used as part of building materials through internal installations and utilization as indirect illumination, and adopt smart system and form smart building and furthermore, smart city.

The current lighting market’s players are being joined by IT related companies, BMS (business management system) companies, and electronic appliances companies, and its megatrend is changing rapidly. Accordingly, Osram is expanding from the existing lighting to lighting electronics such as module and control gears, lighting solution system, and specialty lighting such as OLED and automotive. Osram also revealed that they took over a wireless energy management system company called ENCELIUM and intensifying focus on smart lighting system business.

Smart system provides many different functions such as energy reporting, remote and preventative maintenance, personal lighting control, and zone analysis among others and can optimize energy reduction, maintenance cost reduction, and workspace environment. Van der Meer emphasized that new function can be created through lighting used area’s data analysis and become the focus of future lighting analysis.

NTHU is reshaping the lighting world via Candlelight OLED

December 29, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Numerous researches have been sounding alarm with increasing frequency on the health hazards of blue light. They report that blue light possesses potential hazard to the retina of human eyes, circadian rhythm, melatonin secretion, and cancer risk.

To devise a human-friendly light source and to also trigger a “Lighting Renaissance”, the Prof. Jou’s OLED research group from National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), Taiwan, demonstrates a high light quality and blue-hazard free candlelight OLED, that serves as a good measure and a wisely choice for general lighting. Just before Christmas, the candlelight OLED has won the International Dark-Sky Association Lighting Design Award and Domestic golden lighting medal. Moreover, Taiwan’s government highlights and entirely promotes NTHU and WiseChip Semiconductor Inc. to further investigate candlelight OLED technology via the highest Ministry of Economic Affairs support in following two years. It’s surely confirmed that the health-friendly candlelight OLED can be commercialized, accessible and affordable for human mankind by the end of 2017.

Additionally, the IDA website announced that “Since 2006, Prof. Jou has worked with students on organic LED (OLED) lighting technologies in an effort to create lighting that minimizes negative impacts to human health. In this work, he and his research team has made numerous breakthroughs, such as the creation of very low color temperature OLED, sunlight-style OLED, pseudo-natural light OLED, and candlelight-style OLED devices. Their candlelight-style OLED has attracted a considerable attention from both academia and industries. Most importantly, the candle-like OLED has also been praised by medical experts and is considered one of the safest electricity-driven lighting sources. This lighting can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications.”

Upcoming lighting industrial trends should be psychological- and physiological- friendly lighting sources. Currently, the gross production value of OLED up to 4,000 billion US dollars.

Candlelight OLED, Source: NTHU

Professor Jou’s Research Team, Source: NTHU

IDA Received by Professor Jou’s Research Team, Source : NTHU

[Expert Talk] OLEDWorks’ Co-founder David DeJoy Talks New Lighting Experience

November 16, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Through an interview with OLEDNET and his presentation during the OLEDs World Summit (October 27-29), OLEDWorks’ co-founder, chairman and CEO David DeJoy discussed OLEDWorks’ vision and OLED lighting.

OLEDWorks hit the headlines in April this year when it was announced they would acquire key OLED assets and relevant intellectual property from Royal Philips whose main OLED product is Lumiblade. This acquisition was finalized earlier this month, taking this relatively small but already dynamic player within the OLED lighting industry to another level with plans that include continuing production in both Germany and the US, and expanding the product portfolio.

As the world’s first area light source, OLED lighting is naturally diffusive. As the light is uniform without flickers, the glare and eye fatigue is minimized. Although it is similar to LED in that it is a solid-state lighting, OLED produces little heat and color temperature can be easily adjusted. With its thinness of the panel and no need for extra installation space, OLED lighting can bring forth new design perspectives and applications. During his talk, DeJoy commented that OLED will bring the light closer to the user and will deliver a better light experience in diverse settings including patient rooms, recovery rooms in hospitals, retail, and museums.

Although customer response to OLED light quality is extremely positive, DeJoy acknowledged that it is facing many challenges in entering the lighting market and divided the strategy to overcome this into “the four ‘A’s”: awareness, adaptability, availability, and affordability.

The ‘awareness’ includes education about the technology and benefits, as well as confidence in the OLED lighting technology reliability. The effort to build the OLED lighting awareness includes government partnerships such as DOE Funded Gateway Projects, and NYSERDA Demonstration Projects. Designers and architects are also increasingly turning to OLED for inspiration and source material. OLED lighting’s previously mentioned advantages are closely linked to the second ‘A’, ‘adaptability’. Its thinness, lack of heat, and no need for additional installation space mean that OLED lighting can easily be integrated into fixtures and used as a building material by being directly mounted on surfaces. On the subject of ‘availability’, DeJoy emphasized that more luminaire and final products should become more available to specifiers. He added that there are many in product development but they need to get into the hands of the end user. Discussing the ‘affordability’ of OLED lighting, DeJoy used OLED panel cost scenario published by the US Department of Energy which estimates that the panel price will continue to fall to reach US$10/klm, which corresponds to approximately US$100/m², in 2025. DeJoy added that when examining the affordability of OLED lighting, the total cost has to be considered. For example, OLED lighting does not require heat sink or extra installation cost. Also, many applications do not need very high lumen output with focused beams; “it is not all about $/klm”.

Source: US Department of Energy

DeJoy explained that OLEDWorks long term goal is making OLED lighting adaptable and available, making it easier to change the lighting when it is broken, and be user friendly. He reported that OLEDWorks will continue to expand the product portfolio, which now includes Lumiblade, for “increased performance, additional form factors, and additional CCT options, while reducing product costs”. DeJoy also added that this is “akin to the LED evolution and consistent with the U.S. Department of Energy forecast”. With their proactive and enthusiastic approach to the OLED lighting market, the industry is watching OLEDWorks with great interest. OLEDWorks’ effect on OLED lighting market is expected to be significant.

ETRI’s Doo-Hee Cho Receives IEC 1906 Award

November 3, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

On October 23, ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) Information & Communications Core Technology Research Laboratory’s Dr. Doo-Hee Cho received IEC 1906 Award at World Standards Day ceremony. The IEC 1906 Award recognizes exceptional current achievements and it is presented by the International Electrotechnical Commission, one of the top 3 international standards organizations.

Dr. Cho has been active in IEC since his involvement in 2009. The activities include serving as the president of IEC·TC34 (lighting)’s OLED working group and establishment of IEC 62866: Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) panels for general lighting – Safety requirements.

Founded in 1906, IEC is one of the top 3 international standards organizations along with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and ITU (International Telecommunication Union) with 83 member countries. IEC established IEC 1906 Award in 2004. Since then they have been selecting industry’s experts with outstanding contribution to electrotechnical standardization and IEC development and presenting the award annually. With this award for Dr. Cho, acceleration to OLED lighting’s international standardization and OLED lighting business growth are anticipated.

IEC 1906 Award Badge

IEC 1906 Award Certificate

Dr. Doo-Hee Cho

Mitsubishi Chemical and Pioneer Develops Bluelight-less OLED Lighting

August 31, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical and Pioneer announced their success in developing the first bluelight-less OLED lighting module. The two companies produced this module through a wet coating process for the light-emitting layer and began shipping samples on August 1.

The new OLED lighting module does not use blue emitting materials in the OLED panel and the light from the panel contains a minimal portion of blue light. According to the companies, this is less than 1% of the amount in the 3000K-type OLED lighting module developed by Mitsubishi Chemical and Pioneer.

The panel is a candle-color type with a 1900K color temperature; this is suitable for storage lighting of light-sensitive items such as cultural heritage and paintings, as well as lighting for bedrooms and medical practices.

Blue light, which has a wavelength of between 380 and 495 nanometers, has the highest energy among visible light. This is enough to reach the retina at almost full strength. This can cause eye fatigue as well as reduction in quality sleep.

With the increase of smartphone and PC use, the amount of time exposed to blue light is also increasing. Therefore, as the interest in eye health rises, this bluelight-less OLED lighting module development is worthy of attention.

Source: MPOL

[Lighting Fair Japan 2015] LG Chem, 100lm/W OLED Lighting Panel Mass Production Possible in April 2015

March 10, 2015/0 Comments/in /by OLEDNET

LG Chem estimates mass production of highly efficient 100lm/W OLED lighting panel in April this year. In Lighting Fair Japan 2015 (March 3 – 6) LG Chem announced that they have achieved 2014 target of 100lm/W development, and that mass production will be possible from April 2015. Additionally, they presented the 140ml/W roadmap until 2017, and LG Chem is forecast to keep on leading the OLED lighting market.

Until now OLED lighting had lower efficiency compared to the existing fluorescent light (approx. 100lm/W) and LED (approx. 100lm/W or higher), and was mostly used as luminaire rather than down light. However, if active mass production of 100lm/W products begins, utilization as down light will also be possible.

In this exhibition, LG Chem showcased solution concept of down light, and not a luminaire focused exhibition. They also demonstrated OLED lighting’s competitiveness as down light by securing lifetime of 40 thousand hours. This is approximately twice as long as fluorescent light and rivals LED. The biggest issue for OLED lighting is the cost. If the price becomes competitive through active investment, it is analyzed that the OLED lighting market will grow rapidly.

According to UBI Research’s OLED Lighting Annual Report 2014, OLED lighting market is forecast to grow by 100% of compound annual growth rate and form US$ 4,700 million market in 2020.

By HyunJun Jang, reporter@olednet.co.kr

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