Alps Electric shows off longer-life, printable OLED panel

Printable OLED panels are hardly the rare occurrence they once were, but Alps Electric seems to think it's worked enough magic with its latest prototype to stand out from the pack, even if it may not wind up in actual product form anytime soon. The key bit with this one, it seems, is a so-called "getter" layer that's used in addition to the usual electrodes and emission layer, which helps to seal the area around the cathode electrode and compensate for minute defects. According to the company, that effectively triples the life of the OLED panel, which is especially useful considering that the same technology is also increasingly being used for lighting systems in addition to displays.

[EdZ @ Sep 26th 2008 3:37PM]

"The key bit with this one, it seems, is a so-called "getter" layer that's used in addition to the usual electrodes and emission layer"
Getter layer? Better watch out the the Dinosaur Empire.

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Sep 26th 2008 3:48PM]

Is it just me or does that photo scream "Star Trek"?

I'm not talking Picard, this is Kirk territory here...

[avester @ Sep 26th 2008 3:54PM]

Mr Spock, print OLEDs 2 through 7 at my command!

[fischju @ Sep 26th 2008 5:46PM]

Star Trek, or just 1960s futurism.

[Plothole @ Sep 26th 2008 8:55PM]

Oddly enough this reminds me more of the Next Generation.

[Nacho PATA @ Sep 29th 2008 10:23AM]

Yes, ST:TNG definitely. Think of the walls on the bridge.

[David @ Sep 26th 2008 3:55PM]

Gettering is a process common to defect-prone manufacturing processes such as in semiconductor fabrication where you often introduce a material that tends to attract and contain impurities or defects, holding them away from the actual sensitive area of operation.

[ry @ Sep 26th 2008 4:58PM]

hey thats what i was gonna say

O_o

[Some Kid @ Sep 26th 2008 6:17PM]

the thing i dont get is what the hell is the point of a paper thin panel if you need at least an insh or two of clearance for the base on something this small
or 6 to 7 inches on something like a 12 inch
tis pointless

[EdZ @ Sep 26th 2008 7:04PM]

1) The bases are likely proof-of-concept and can be refined to a much smaller size
2) A very thin panel allows you to hide more components behind it for an overall thinner device.

[vgm106 @ Sep 28th 2008 4:42AM]

.........And welcome a lot of distracting ads