U.S. government funds DuPont OLED innovation

DuPont has received a $2.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a two-year project to develop a solid-state lighting source using low-cost organic light-emitting diode (OLED) solution-processing manufacturing techniques.

 

This project will leverage DuPont's experience in OLED development for displays and tailor the technology to requirements for solid-state lighting.

 

This advanced technology can reduce energy consumption compared with incandescent and fluorescent lamps. Solution-processing techniques for manufacturing OLEDs are cost effective because they lower capital investment, reduce fixed costs and use materials efficiently.

 

"DOE is pleased to support DuPont's work in advancing the science in OLED solid-state lighting and playing an important role in eventually commercializing the technology," said James Brodrick, lighting program manager U.S. Department of Energy. "We have made a long-term commitment to advance the development and introduction of energy-efficient white lighting sources for general illumination."

 

The Next Generation Lighting Industry Alliance reports that lighting consumed more than 20% of U.S. electrical energy in 2009. The market for lamps, ballasts, lighting fixtures and lighting controls is $15 billion in the U.S. and $75 billion, globally. Solid-state lighting technologies, including OLEDs, have the potential to save 348 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity by 2030 compared with traditional light sources.

 

"We appreciate DOE's support for our research program to develop low-cost, energy-efficient OLED lighting solutions that have the potential to transform the lighting market," said William Feehery, global business director DuPont OLEDs. "Through this collaboration, we will leverage our resources and minimize the need to develop new processing techniques to speed the development of solid-state OLED lighting."