The US Department of Energy (DoE) announced the eligble topics for the FY 2014 SBIR and STTR funding. There are two topics involving OLED lighting efficiency. The first is the development of OLED materials and structures that will lead to the production and commercialization of a highly efficient, stable white OLED device. The DOE specifically mentions the development of highly efficient, blue emitter materials and hosts.
The second topic is the development of methods of manufacturing either OLED pixels or panels or devices. The DoE is also interested in system level integration solutions that would accelerate OLED devices into niche markets. If you want to apply, you will have to send the application by October 15. The DoE will formally announce the opportunities on August 12.
In past years the DoE supported dozens of OLED lighting project with millions of dollars in funding. Just in past few months, they announced $3.3 million towards projects by PPG (integrated substrate manufacturing process) and OLEDWorks (high-performance deposition technology) and four new SBIR projects for UDC (aircraft interior lighting), Litecontrol (accurate color rendering OLED lumiaire for corridors and public spaces), InnoSys (customized driver design for PHOLED lighting) and Plextronics (low-cost processes of OLED lighting printed electrodes).
