A Novel Twist to Flexible LEDs

The McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University is applying a novel twist to crystalline materials to create stretchy, flexible LEDs.

“Imagine having a device that starts out the size of a cell phone but can be stretched to the size of a tablet,” said Chuan Wang , assistant professor in the Preston M. Green Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering.

By combining the concept of inkjet fabrication with a crystalline material called organometal halide perovskite, they have achieved the flexibility and low cost of organic LEDs and the high performance and reliability of inorganic LEDs. “What we have made is an organic-inorganic compound,” said Wang. “It has the best of both worlds.”


Topics:
Materials