Scientists from Philips Research have developed an organic light emitting diode OLED module that can be powered directly from an AC power supply. According to the researchers, the prototype opens the door to OLED systems that can be directly plugged into standard power outlets without the need for bulky power management circuitry. The researchers anticipate that this will reduce the bill of materials and simplify luminaire design for future OLED-based systems aimed at mass-market general illumination applications.
Philips Research developed its AC-powered module in collaboration with Dipl.-Phys. Holger Spahr, Institut f r Hochfrequenztechnik, TUBraunschweig, Germany as part of the TOPAS 2012 project. The project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF brings together industrial and academic organizations to develop OLEDs for future lighting systems.
OLEDs produce light that is emitted from a much larger area than LEDs. The thin, flat nature of OLEDs makes it possible to create light sources of a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Additionally, Philips points out that OLEDs are fully dimmable and can produce many different colors as well as whites, including the kind of white light people appreciate from traditional light sources. This makes them an extremely attractive option for general illumination.
Philips notes that previously the physical characteristics of OLEDs have meant they have had to be powered from low-voltage direct current DC sources. In contrast Philips says its AC-powered white-light module developed by Philips Research can be plugged directly into a mains wall socket. The company says that it eliminates the need for driver technology.
