A polymer synthesized and characterized to emit a broad spectrum that improves white appearance to the human eye.

Organic light emitting diodes are primarily used in display devices and sometimes in lighting devices. Poor quality of white light emitted by these diodes and their complex fabrication methods may make them undesirable.

Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a polymer that emits a broad spectrum that appears white to human eyes. This is achieved obtaining a spectrum consisting of a mixture of phosphorescent and fluorescent emissions of approximately equal strengths. This polymer may be used as an active layer in White Light Emitting Diodes (WOLEDs) and could be used for fabrication of lighting devices that would consume low power compared to the conventional lighting devices and therefore, could eventually replace them.

Benchtop Prototype

• Makes light emitted by LEDs look white when compared to other LEDs that emit light with a blue tint.
• WOLEDs can be fabricated using a single active layer of this polymer, thereby, simplifying the fabrication, reducing the processing steps and electrical connections compared to multi-layered devices.

Publication Number: 2009-0310332 A1
Patent Title: Pi-Conjugated Heavy Metal Polymers for Organic White-Light-Emitting Diodes
Jurisdiction/Country: United States
Application Type: Non-Provisional

Jonathan Tyler
801-587-0515
jonathan.tyler@utah.edu