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A Brighter, More Colorful Future For LEDs?

San Jose, Calif.-- Two exciting new developments have emerged in the light-emitting diode (LED) arena. A single LED, with the facility to dramatically switch its emission spectrum, and a hybrid device based on an inorganic quantum dot/organic LED combination capable of enhanced luminescence have improved LEDs future potential.

Scientists have engineered a simple, electroluminescent LED device that can produce either red or green light, depending on the voltage applied to it. The device is based on the synthesis of organic semiconductor materials and an inorganic phosphorescent complex of ruthenium.

This development offers the tantalizing prospect of having only one pixel capable of emitting in multiple colors within a display device, instead of the three individually colored LEDs currently required for full-color displays.

"Research is ongoing to create similar devices with potential use in light-emitting displays, solid-state light sources, and color switches," says Technical Insights' Analyst Charles Bergquist. "Efforts to improve the efficiency and brightness of current LED device designs are gaining momentum."

A conjunction of two technologies -- the inorganic quantum-dot and organic light-emitting diode -- has resulted in a hybrid device capable of high levels of efficiency in luminescence. This device merges the narrow-band, effective luminescence of colloidal quantum dots with organic materials' ability to be effortlessly processed. It contains a single monolayer of CdSe quantum dots inserted between thin films of organic materials utilized in OLED applications. Indications are that it is 25 times more efficient in luminescence than former quantum dot/LED combinations.

As academic and commercial arenas strive to boost LED device performance, research activity is likely to focus attention on enhancing quantum efficiency and color saturation.

Contact: USA
Julia Rowell
P: 210-247-3870
F: 210-348-1003
E: jrowell@frost.com