CDT and CIT demonstrate ITO-F

RNS Number : 8406J

Carclo plc

07 April 2010

 



7 April 2010

Carclo plc

("Carclo")

CDT announces innovative new OLED lighting product concept using CIT technology

Carclo plc and its wholly owned subsidiary, Conductive Inkjet Technology Limited ("CIT"), are pleased to announce the production of an innovative new OLED lighting device by Cambridge Display Technology ("CDT") using CIT technology for the front transparent electrode.

The full text of the announcement by CDT published on Tuesday 6 April 2010 follows:

CDT and CIT demonstrate ITO-Free lighting panel

UK - Cambridge Display Technology (www.cdt.co.uk) announced the production of an ITO-free P-OLED lighting device using a fine copper mesh. This work was enabled by its work with Conductive Inkjet Technology and their joint 'NOMAD' project funded by the Government-backed Technology Strategy Board.

Project NOMAD started in 2007 with the aim of developing technology for the next generation of low-cost OLED devices by combining advanced manufacturing methods with state-of-the-art polymer OLED materials (P-OLEDs) to enable significant reductions in manufacturing costs for devices such as P-OLED lighting panels.

This demonstration has shown the potential for patterned metal tracking using electroless metal deposition as a replacement for both Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and traditional sputtered tracking. ITO is widely used as a transparent conductor in the displays, lighting and photovoltaics industries, but is in short supply and expensive.

Moreover, ITO is very brittle and can crack during processing, limiting its attractiveness for the next generation of flexible electronic devices. ITO has a high resistivity, this creates problems for large area lighting panels due to the large voltage drops encountered towards the centre of the device giving rise to an unacceptable drop-off in light intensity

The manufacturing method demonstrated in the NOMAD project reduces costs by eliminating ITO along with significantly reducing the capital and processing costs for patterning metal bus bars which distribute current and ensure the uniformity of light emission. CIT's (www.conductiveinkjet.com) process eliminates the need for traditional vacuum sputtering equipment and etching tanks.

CIT's photoimageable materials have been used to produce sub 10micron copper tracks on glass substrates, resulting in a highly transparent, highly conductive surface without the voltage drops of ITO based technologies. By applying a conductive polymer to these grids a true ITO replacement has been demonstrated and this has allowed a CDT to solution process its advanced layers of white emitting pOLED materials. This development is extremely encouraging and once device optimisation has been completed, it is expected to lead to a significant increase in device efficiency.

Jim Veninger, General Manager at CDT commented, "I am impressed by the quality of the fine mesh generated by the CIT process and the resulting emission uniformity of our lighting devices without the need for ITO. While further development is required, I can see CIT's technology supporting low-cost processes for OLED lighting in the near future."

Chris Malley, CEO at CIT commented, "It is extremely encouraging to see functioning device being manufactured that, not only offer the potential for high volume solution processable manufacture, but also offer lower cost and higher performance."

The project is being part-funded by the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board and their Lead Technologist in Electronics, Photonics and Electrical Systems Mike Biddle commented "We are extremely happy with the progress made in this project, and to see that this new approach may soon be ready for commercial exploitation in OLED lighting. This is yet another great example of world class businesses coming together in the UK to develop innovative technology with global market potential."

- ENDS -

Enquiries:
Carclo plc	01924 268040
Ian Williamson, Chief Executive
Robert Brooksbank, Finance Director
Weber Shandwick Financial	020 7067 0700
Terry Garrett / Stephanie Badjonat / Clare Thomas

Notes to editors

·      Carclo plc is a global supplier of technical plastic components. It is a public company whose shares are quoted on the London Stock Exchange.

·      Two thirds of sales are derived from the supply of fine tolerance, injection moulded plastic components, which are used in medical, optical and electronics products. This business, Carclo Technical Plastics, operates internationally in a fast growing and dynamic market underpinned by rapid technological development.

·      One third of sales are derived from the supply of specialised precision products to the premium automotive and aerospace industries.

·      Carclo's strategy is to develop new technologies and products to drive future growth. Its investment in Conductive Inkjet Technology is at the heart of the newly emerging market for very low cost printed electronics. 

 

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