dimensional OLED rear lights - the workgroup of Prof. Klaus Meerholz
dimensional OLED rear lights - the workgroup of Prof. Klaus Meerholz
dimensional OLED rear lights - the workgroup of Prof. Klaus Meerholz
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<strong>OLED</strong>s conquer <strong>the</strong> third dimension: First car with three<strong>dimensional</strong><br />
<strong>OLED</strong> <strong>rear</strong> <strong>lights</strong><br />
• Audi, Philips, Automotive Lighting, Merck and <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Cologne<br />
announce <strong>the</strong> successful conclusion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> "<strong>OLED</strong> 3D" project promoted by<br />
German Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Education and Research (BMBF).<br />
July 11, 2013 - The members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>OLED</strong> 3D research consortium today presented <strong>the</strong><br />
results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir project, which had received around € 5.7 million in funding from <strong>the</strong> German<br />
Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Education and Research (BMBF). The consortium led by Philips (Aachen)<br />
also consisted <strong>of</strong> Audi (Ingolstadt), Automotive Lighting (Reutlingen), Merck (Darmstadt), and<br />
<strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Cologne. After three and a half years, <strong>the</strong> partners succeeded in producing<br />
for <strong>the</strong> very first time large-area, three-<strong>dimensional</strong> organic light-emitting diodes (<strong>OLED</strong>s)<br />
and using <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> <strong>rear</strong> lighting <strong>of</strong> an automobile. This world premiere demonstrates <strong>the</strong><br />
strong extent to which this new lighting technology will change <strong>the</strong> appearance <strong>of</strong><br />
automobiles in <strong>the</strong> future.<br />
The partners aimed to analyze and to improve <strong>the</strong> technology and <strong>the</strong> subsequent<br />
application <strong>of</strong> 3D <strong>OLED</strong>s in automotive applications throughout <strong>the</strong> entire supply chain.<br />
Toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> Technical University <strong>of</strong> Darmstadt, Merck developed new, crosslinkable<br />
red <strong>OLED</strong> materials. Thanks to <strong>the</strong>se materials, <strong>OLED</strong>s can be produced for <strong>the</strong> first time in<br />
multiple layers on formed glass using wet chemistry. The University <strong>of</strong> Cologne conducted<br />
intensive research on this manufacturing process and demonstrated it on 3D samples.<br />
The quality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>OLED</strong> substances significantly impacts <strong>the</strong> lifetime and performance <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>OLED</strong> applications. The sensitivity and precision <strong>of</strong> analytical chemistry as well as expertise<br />
in producing ultrapure materials are thus indispensable preconditions for <strong>the</strong> successful<br />
application <strong>of</strong> this technology. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> project also involved intensive work on <strong>the</strong><br />
purity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> materials used and <strong>the</strong>ir chemical characterization.<br />
The 3D <strong>OLED</strong>s used in <strong>the</strong> <strong>rear</strong> <strong>lights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Audi TT were produced by Philips. For this<br />
purpose, <strong>the</strong> <strong>OLED</strong> manufacturing process, which was previously based on 2D glass<br />
substrates, had to be adapted to <strong>the</strong> third dimension. This related not only to <strong>the</strong> processes<br />
and technologies for manufacturing <strong>the</strong> glass substrates <strong>the</strong>mselves, but also to vacuumbased<br />
<strong>OLED</strong> coating, encapsulation and electrical contacting.
Automotive Lighting developed, realized and tested 3D-supported concepts for <strong>the</strong><br />
application, mounting and control <strong>of</strong> large-area, curved <strong>OLED</strong> components in <strong>rear</strong> <strong>lights</strong>. Audi<br />
developed an <strong>OLED</strong>-specific design and integrated <strong>the</strong> <strong>rear</strong> lighting into an Audi TT.<br />
The design draft impressively shows <strong>the</strong> multifaceted possibilities that <strong>OLED</strong>s <strong>of</strong>fer in<br />
external vehicle lighting. The result creates entirely new pioneering design possibilities for<br />
innovative <strong>OLED</strong> lighting applications in automotive engineering. For example, <strong>the</strong> <strong>OLED</strong>-3D<br />
consortium has fur<strong>the</strong>r developed <strong>the</strong> characteristic <strong>rear</strong> light design <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Audi TT. Using<br />
<strong>the</strong>se ultra-thin, large-area light sources, it has entered <strong>the</strong> third dimension <strong>of</strong> space and a<br />
totally new dimension <strong>of</strong> design.
About Royal Philips<br />
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving<br />
people’s lives through meaningful innovation in <strong>the</strong> areas <strong>of</strong> Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting.<br />
Headquartered in <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands, Philips posted 2012 sales <strong>of</strong> EUR 24.8 billion and employs approximately<br />
116,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care,<br />
acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male<br />
shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.<br />
About AUDI AG<br />
In 2012, <strong>the</strong> Audi Group delivered 1,455,123 cars <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Audi brand to its customers, generated revenue <strong>of</strong> €48.8<br />
billion and achieved an operating pr<strong>of</strong>it <strong>of</strong> €5.4 billion. The Audi Group is globally present in more than 100<br />
markets and produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Győr (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium),<br />
Bratislava (Slovakia), Martorell (Spain), Kaluga (Russia), Aurangabad (India), Changchun (China) and Jakarta<br />
(Indonesia). The brand with four rings will produce cars also in Foshan (China) as <strong>of</strong> late 2013 and in San José<br />
Chiapa (Mexico) starting in 2016. AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm),<br />
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy) and <strong>the</strong> sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati<br />
Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy). The Group currently employs more than 70,000 people worldwide, including<br />
around 50,000 in Germany. Total investment <strong>of</strong> approximately €11 billion is planned by 2015 – mainly in new<br />
products and sustainable technologies. Audi lives up to its corporate responsibility and has strategically<br />
established <strong>the</strong> principle <strong>of</strong> sustainability for its products and processes. The long-term goal is CO2-neutral<br />
mobility.<br />
www.audi.de<br />
About Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH<br />
Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> international market leaders in exterior automotive lighting.<br />
With over 15,000 employees worldwide, we achieve annual turnover <strong>of</strong> more than EUR 2 billion.<br />
Our innovative lighting systems provide a valuable contribution to making driving safer for all road users - by day<br />
and by night. We supply to auto manufacturers worldwide, working with <strong>the</strong>m from initial contact to market launch<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> finished vehicle.<br />
Both our headlight and taillight product ranges combine attractive designs and top technical performance. From<br />
halogen to xenon to full-LED head<strong>lights</strong>, and from simple to very high-quality tail<strong>lights</strong>, Automotive Lighting <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
<strong>the</strong> right solution for every automotive manufacturer. Because in <strong>the</strong> end, exterior automotive lighting is a key part<br />
<strong>of</strong> a car’s overall appearance.<br />
www.al-lighting.com<br />
About Merck<br />
Merck is a leading pharmaceutical, chemical and life science company with total revenues <strong>of</strong> € 11.2 billion in<br />
2012, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approximately 38,000 employees in 66 countries. Its<br />
success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck’s operating activities come under<br />
<strong>the</strong> umbrella <strong>of</strong> Merck KGaA, in which <strong>the</strong> Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and shareholders<br />
own <strong>the</strong> remaining approximately 30%. In 1917, <strong>the</strong> former U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and<br />
has been an independent company ever since.<br />
www.merckgroup.com<br />
About <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Cologne<br />
The University <strong>of</strong> Cologne has been involved in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> organic electronics for years. The <strong>workgroup</strong> headed<br />
by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>Klaus</strong> <strong>Meerholz</strong> enjoys a high reputation on an international level, for example for its work on crosslinkable<br />
organic semiconductors for <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> solution-processed multilayer stacks and on<br />
lithographic structures (e.g. RGB pixels). The group also does leading work in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> highly efficient polymer<br />
<strong>OLED</strong>s. The <strong>Meerholz</strong> <strong>workgroup</strong> has participated in several German Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Education and Research<br />
(BMBF) and EU projects in <strong>the</strong> past and continues to participate in such projects today, and in 2008 was awarded<br />
<strong>the</strong> BMBF innovation platform “Solution-Processed Organic Electronics”. In 2010, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>Meerholz</strong> received<br />
<strong>the</strong> Innovation Award <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> German federal state <strong>of</strong> North Rhine-Westphalia. In 2012 he became chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
board <strong>of</strong> COPT.NRW e.V. (Center for Organic Production Technologies in North Rhine-Westphalia).<br />
www.meerholz.uni-koeln.de