OLEDWorks - Page 6

The US Department of Energy (DoE) awarded two small-business SBIR Phase-2 projects targeting advances in solid-state lighting technology, and both projects deal with OLED lighting technologies.

The first project, led by Pixelligent Technologies is titled "Advanced Light Extraction Material for OLED Lighting". Pixelligent, in collaboration with OLEDWorks, will demonstrate a new internal light extraction structure for OLED lighting panels, that is fully compatible with current manufacturing processes and operating conditions. The ILE structure is cost-effective and offers a high high refractive index.

OLEDWorks and Universal Display signed an OLED technology license agreement. OLEDWorks was granted license rights to manufacture and sell phosphorescent OLED lighting products. OLEDWorks will pay UDC an upfront license fee and running royalties.

OLEDWorks, established in July 2010 by former Kodak OLED business experts, is a US-based OLED lighting maker (the only OLED lighting producer in the US). The company developed a proprietary low-cost production process. In 2013 the company successfully completed its Series A fund raising, and the company received three DoE grants (see here, here and here) to further develop is OLED technology.

The US DoE announced it selected nine new SSL projects which will receive $10.5 million in funding (including the cost-share contribution, the a total of $13.7). Four of these one- to two-years projects are OLED projects (the rest are related to LEDs).

OLEDWorks' project is titled "High-Performance OLED Panel and Luminaire". The company will develop low-cost OLED electrode structure and panel light extraction technologies. Using a system approach to determine the best component combination, OLEDWorks hopes to develop and integrate the cost effective manufacturing technologies necessary to achieve the DoE's performance and cost targets, demonstrated on a large scale. This project will cost $2 million, the DoE funded 50% ($1 million).

Acuity Brands shows new use cases for its Marker OLED luminaire, which uses Amber OLED panels made by OLEDWorks. The Marker has been introduced in 2013, but now Acuity reveals more details (such as the OLED supplier) and new applications.

Acuity Brands says that the OLED markers can be used for decorative, orientation and low-level illumination. This we've known before - but now Acuity also tells us that this concept also has specific applications for healthcare facilities - as directional beacons in high-traffic areas and low-level illumination in critical care areas.

Pixelligent Technologies entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) with an aim to optimize the formulation for ORNL’s roll-to-roll process for OLED lighting devices.

Pixelligent says that this agreement will allow them to further optimize materials and formulations to demonstrate improved performance and cost for OLED lighting roll-to-roll processes. This project also gives Pixelligent access to the state-of-the-art facilities and world class expertise at ORNL.

Pixelligent Technologies has been awarded an SBIR Phase I grant by the US Department of Energy (DOE). The nine-month, $150,000 program will enable Pixelligent (in collaboration with OLEDWorks) to accelerate the development of its nanoadditives for use in OLED lighting.

The project is titled "Advanced Light Extraction Material for OLED Lighting", and its aim is to develop an internal light-extraction structure that will be fully compatible with OLED device manufacturing processes and operating conditions that can expedite the commercialization of white OLED lighting.

New York Stat's Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) announced $4.8 million worth of grants for technologies that can enable more energy efficient buildings. There are 3 OLED related projects that were awarded $800,000 altogether.

OLEDWorks received $491,000 to improve the capability and control of its OLED manufacturing processes in order to manufacturing robust products at affordable cost. This is OLEDWorks' second grant from NYSERDA - in June the company was awarded $200,000 (in collaboration with WAC Lighting) to develop lighting for office space, combining LED indirect ambient device with an OLED "task unit".

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.

OLEDWorks has been contracted by the New York State Energy and Research and Development Authority on a $200,000 OLED lighting initiative. OLEDWorks will partner with WAC Lighting to develop lighting for office space, combining LED indirect ambient device with an OLED "task unit".

OLEDWorks recently completed its Series A funding round from private investors, and the company is building an OLED lighting fab in Rochester, NY. They plan to offer low-cost OLEDs through the use of equipment and process innovation, and they expect to ship their first OLED prototypes (12x12 cm, 45 lm/W on glass or on metal) in the second half of 2013. Just last week OLEDWorks was awarded a $1 million project from the US DoE to develop (and demonstrate) new spray printing equipment for OLED production.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) awarded $10 million to five solid state lighting projects. Two of these projects are OLED lighting ones. The first project, worth $2.3 million, was awarded to PPG Industries. PPG will develop a cost-effective manufacturing process to help commercialize an integrated substrate (which includes the glass foundation and the other necessary layers).

PPG's project will use standard grade glass which should lower the cost (while maintaining the performance) compared to the high-end glass used in OLED today. This is PPG's second grant from the DOE. In January 2010, the DOE awarded $1.6 million to develop "Low-Cost Integrated Substrate for OLED Lighting". This program is now finished and PPG has been recognized by the DOE for significant achievements in advancing OLED lighting technology.