GE researchers create printable, flexible OLEDs

Researchers at GE have created the world's first roll-to-roll manufactured OLEDs -- a newspaper printing-like process that is the first step to plentiful, cheaply produced, flexible lighting. Production of the thin, organic materials in this manner could lead to a wide array of innovations in the use of lights, sensors, and displays, and could make a noticeable impact on the efficiency and environmental performance of lighting and electronics. The company envisions a new playing-field for businesses, architects, and lighting designers who need access to cheap, energy-conscious materials, and see this research as a first step to an emerging field of commercialized OLED lighting. Yes, a new vista of discovery, wealth, and prosperity awaits those who take this bold step into the wide, wonderous, and uncharted worlds of scientific research and prototyping -- let's just hope it doesn't end up all Bioshock-y and weird.

[Via MetaEfficient]

[SimonRichards @ Mar 12th 2008 5:40AM]

One step closer to a muggle daily prophet

[Prokanda @ Mar 12th 2008 5:57AM]

while that sounds like an interesting use... and sounds close to what this design could be used for... I don't want my paper talking to me. not that it matters.. since the "paper" will probably be completely digital in a few years...

....but, a talking paper? F that... digital, thinking, talking pet-toys are bad enough. =]

[j_g_puff @ Mar 12th 2008 8:14AM]

You look quite a lot like a Harry Potter who's let himself go on the hair front.

[SimonRichards @ Mar 12th 2008 8:40AM]

I get that a lot. You should see me in my wizard robes.

[melloncollie @ Mar 12th 2008 9:13AM]

@Prokanda

Technophobe much?

[Wwhat @ Mar 12th 2008 10:21AM]

Talking papers ok, but ONLY with headphones heh, no speakers allowed, thanks.

[nick @ Mar 12th 2008 5:50AM]

Sweet, I hope we'll put OLEDs on everything now!
I want to see soda cans with scrolling OLED displays.
The future is...blinding

[Twitchy @ Mar 12th 2008 7:25AM]

Sure as hell better than using sperm-based LEDs.

[sdh @ Mar 12th 2008 7:47AM]

Damn shame they didn't test my sperm though. Imagine a single led powering streetlights, that's what my sperm could do for ya. Holla out to the researchers; you got your lab-rat right here! I will work for food. More specifically salmon.

[broli @ Mar 12th 2008 6:16AM]

How about finally making those affordable ebook readers rocking an atom chip.

[AutoTom @ Mar 12th 2008 7:30AM]

yeah, i'm gettin a tatoo.
so many uses for it... it can let me know when i'm near a wifi hotspot.. tell me when someone's reading my implanted rfid chip.. ask me if i want to "allow or deny" f*#ING EVERYTHING

heard it from me, dont forget that.

[Mike10010100 @ Mar 12th 2008 7:31AM]

Wow, seriously? I thought there would be more comments on such a revolutionary thing as this.

This cheap production method could change the face of the OLED market, making the OLEDs go the way of the Model T Fords.

COME ON PEOPLE! WHOOP IT UP!

[Will @ Mar 12th 2008 12:45PM]

That's what I came for. I don't know what the rest of these jokers are smoking.
It looks like technology with energy saving potential is on the same exponential curve as the rest of technology.
Kurzweil is right; we shouldn't hamper economic growth (and R&D in turn) by imposing climate change "solutions". If technological development stays on the same curve, we'll have many answers to the problem soon enough.

[AutoTom @ Mar 12th 2008 5:21PM]

it's not made by apple, so only the lest intelligent half of my body is excited

[Mic @ Mar 12th 2008 7:52AM]

This is amazing. Just imagine the uses...tv toilet paper? anyone? anyone?

[spaceb @ Mar 12th 2008 7:53AM]

OLED on toilet paper. Can't wait to see that!

[sdh @ Mar 12th 2008 8:07AM]

I'm with you man, I would never have to watch MTV with the toilet door open again! And I could turn Eminem black with a single wipe.

[Skorn @ Mar 12th 2008 7:55AM]

Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his own brow?

[Adam @ Mar 12th 2008 8:09AM]

If you look at the high res image, look at the failure rate on the production of these things, as well as your intensity variants...

[wazzup @ Mar 12th 2008 8:26AM]

"world's first" not "world's best" dude... ;-)

[Saint Dumb Ox @ Mar 12th 2008 1:47PM]

This is a proof of concept fella. When actual production starts I doubt the results will be as varied. From the look of things, they got far more right than wrong.

[the_fozz @ Mar 12th 2008 8:54AM]

I just want my roll-up cellphone. Little stick that has your important technical bits then roll out a 7 inch display, and get DAYS of battery life. I will be so happy when they can make a roll-up FTIR multi-touch OLED display.

[spacegravity4me @ Mar 12th 2008 1:12PM]

Telling you guys, it's gonna change the world! 6-10 years from now we'll be wondering how we ever lived without it! I CAN'T WAIT! I LOVE THE FUTURE!!!!!!!! ;)

[Backlin @ Mar 12th 2008 8:58AM]

That picture reminds me of the anti-gravity paths from Prey.

[SoreThumb @ Mar 12th 2008 10:10AM]

This is so cool.

I only hope that they upped the life of OLED bacteria/material that produces blue light-- last I heard, it lived the shortest life, far behind yellow and red :/

But hey, on good news, that means you could just slide out your old screen from the TV and slide in a new, fresh sheet.

WHOAH, I just came up with a good idea! Patent, copyright, etc!!

[KC @ Mar 12th 2008 11:57AM]

It looks like the Stock tickers in downtown's of Major Metropolitan areas are gonna get allot thinner soon

[Leroy Vargas @ Mar 12th 2008 7:04PM]

At last, there will be a cheap OLED-based alternative to the $1000+ Optimus Maximus keyboard!