Sumitomo Chemical has taken part in Holst Centre's shared research program on Printed Organic Lighting and Signage, to develop multi-layer solution processes for high-efficiency OLEDs.
 
OLEDs are revolutionary large-area light sources that could cut lighting-related energy use by 50-90% and enable unique lighting applications. They are manufactured by depositing numerous thin layers of materials onto glass substrates or flexible plastic foils. Today's highest-efficiency OLEDs are made using evaporative processes in vacuum conditions. Switching to atmospheric-pressure solution-based processes could reduce the cost of OLED manufacturing by removing the need for expensive vacuum equipment and reducing the wastage of costly OLED materials.
 
Developing these solution-based processes is a key goal for Holst Centre's Printed Organic Lighting and Signage program. Sumitomo Chemical's participation will give program members access to high-end OLED materials, particularly for the active (light-emitting) layers. At the same time, Sumitomo Chemical will be able to draw on the program's vast expertise to optimize its materials for low-cost production and flexible substrates.