Technology never stops moving forward -- even as LED lighting begins to enjoy a rollout across
various product sectors, new eco-friendly lighting competitors emerge. Sure enough, we're talking OLED technology. Konica Minolta has entered a licensing agreement for some of
Universal Display's UniversalPHOLED (phosphorescent OLED) technology. PHOLED lighting may not be as sexy as, say, full motion colorific OLED
displays, but knowing how many applications there are for static white light, there's lots of moolah to be made in this technology. And between Konica Minolta's partnerships with Universal Display and General Electric, there could be some exciting developments in the not-too-distant future. And we're not thinking lightbulbs; try ultra-thin, energy efficient PHOLED backlighting as an interim technology while full-fledged OLED displays get mainstreamed.
[Images courtesy
InternationalLightTech and
CityPages]
If you're setting out to develop PHOLED (phosphorescent OLED) technology, it can't hurt to have friends in the chemical industry, which explains why Universal Display and Korean company SFC have become industrial BFFs. The two companies have agreed to jointly develop and commercialize those super-efficient PHOLED materials that our HD-loving eyes will want to have in displays if we're to soak up visuals without putting the planet in meltdown. Universal Display will help SFC with non-emitter materials and in return, SFC will transfer "certain existing phosphorescent" materials to Universal Display. Sounds good to us, and we're hoping to see Universal Display's numerous industrial partnerships to pay off in the form of tangible tech soon.
