Newly invented machines are now capable of printing "sheets" of light, which have found themselves in some business buildings in recent weeks. The light printers use eight-inch wide sheets of organic LEDs, or OLEDs, and cover them with a layer of metal foil. When electric currents run through the sheet, they produce a soft blue-white glow.
These light sources do not require any backlighting like those of LCD displays. More efficient and less expensive than light bulbs, fluorescent lights and other lighting devices, OLEDs provide highly productive forms of room lighting. The term organic refers to their release of hydrogen and carbon atoms during operation. Other forms of lighting require electricity with low energy turnover, and OLEDs eliminate the need for excessive electricity.
Studies on the technology conducted by Princeton, the University of South California and Universal Display show that OLEDs reach close to maximum efficiency. Almost 100 percent of their energy is converted to light. These new light sources degrade over time, however, and researchers are working on increasing their longevity. Eventually, their lifespan could reach 20,000 hours.
In only a few years, OLEDs could become a reality in business buildings, hospitals and even homes. Some researchers have claimed that OLEDs could even be integrated into fabrics and furniture. The new technology reaches out to every aspect of commercial and market life.
"There's no limit to what humans might do with it," Associate Professor of English Hilary Justice said. "The pencil was once a new technology. Naysayers were afraid of it. Creative minds embraced it."
Siemans and Philips began their research and production of the OLEDs recently, adding more power to the technology's development. Creators of OLED screens like General Electric produced the flexible lighted sheets and plan to create much wider sheets by 2010. Sony Corp. sells an 11-inch television model of the OLED displays for about $2,500.
For the future, creators believe that the light sheets might cost just over the price of the material they are printed on. The practicality of the new technology could lead to entirely new forms of lighting and energy efficiency.
