Scientists at Philips Research have developed what they say is the first organic light emitting diode (OLED) module that can be powered directly from the AC mains. The prototype opens the door to OLED systems that can be directly plugged into standard power outlets without the need for bulky power management circuitry. This will simplify luminaire designs for future OLED-based systems for mass-market general illumination applications.
Like LEDs, OLEDs are solid-state lighting devices that are extremely efficient light emitters, thus helping to reduce the financial and environmental cost of lighting. While normal LEDs provide very high brightness in a compact package, OLEDs emit light over an extended area. The illumination they produce is calm, diffuse and non-glaring. The thin, flat nature of OLEDs makes it possible to produce light sources in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Moreover, OLEDs are fully dimmable and can produce many different colours as well as whites, including the kind of white light people are accustomed to from traditional light sources. This makes them an extremely attractive option for general illumination.
However, up to now OLEDs have required a low-voltage DC power source due to their physical characteristics. By contrast, the AC-powered white-light module developed by Philips Research can be plugged directly into a mains wall socket.
Eliminating the need for driver electronics could create many advantages for luminaire manufacturers. It reduces the number of components in the finished product, which makes system integration and assembly simpler, improves end-product reliability, and reduces time to market. Moreover, it increases design freedom and expands the range of potential OLED applications.
Image: Philips
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