MIT Develops Quantum-Dot OLEDs

deglr6328 writes "Researchers at MIT have developed a new type of Organic Light emitting Diode (OLED) using Cadmium Selenium Quantum Dots as the electron-hole recombination layer. It is widely believed that the next generation of flexible flat panel display technologies will be self luminous (non-backlit) organic light emitting diodes. However, the efficiency and lifespan of both small molecule and polymer type OLEDs, to date, has been poor for small wavelength emitting compounds. Using quantum dots as the emissive layer in OLEDs potentially solves both of these problems since they are inorganic and won't degrade, and they have a theoretical maximum quantum efficiency of near 100%. Mmmmm ... can't wait to buy my first roll-up display!"

Comments

Re:Never in Europe that's for sure.

[farnsaw]

Common Research Cycle:
First figure out how to do it with exotic materials that exhibit the behaviour you want, once you understand how this works, find more mundane (and less toxic) materials to create the consumer product.

Many exotic materials have special behaviours that are great for research and creating devices that work in the lab environment but they often have drawbacks, not the least of which is their toxicity. These materials are also very expensive to produce, as well as dispose of, which will result in a consumer product that is too expensive for your average consumer.

Manufacturers and consumers now look at the entire cost of a product from the initial manufacturing cost or purchase price, right through to the cost of disposing of it. Individual consumers usually don't pay much attention to the latter since they usually have one of an item (most /.ers excepted), however, corporations that often have thousands of each computer or display pay much more attention to things like lifespan and disposal costs. If this product is to come to market as more than a niche player, it needs to have a good ROI and low TCO.

ROI = Return on Investment
TCO = Total Cost of Ownership