Consortium combines strengths to further develop innovative OLED lighting systems

Joint project “TOPAS 2012” develops lighting technology of the future based on organic light-emitting diodes
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Philips and AIXTRON project partners in BMBF’s OLED initiative
BASF focuses on highly efficient and stable blue emitters

The companies BASF, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Philips and AIXTRON today (January 11, 2010) confirmed that they had received commitment for funding of the new joint “TOPAS 2012,” the second phase of the OLED 2015 initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). TOPAS stands for “thousand Lumen organic phosphorescent devices for applications in lighting systems”. In this project, the consortium partners will focus on developing innovative material and component architectures and well as new production machines for lighting solutions with highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In doing so, the partners can build on successful joint developments from the previous project “OPAL 2008,” which was also sponsored by the BMBF.

“BASF’s materials have already demonstrated their potential in very efficient diodes with lifetimes of several thousand hours and extremely high quantum yields,” explained Dr. Elmar Keßenich, project manager at BASF Future Business GmbH. This is already a major step toward the next goal of achieving lifetimes of more than 10,000 hours, which is approximately 10-times longer than the life of a traditional light bulb. In addition to high efficiency and a long lifetime, a high CRI (color rendering index, >80) is also crucial to ensuring excellent light quality. CRI values in excess of 90 can be achieved with BASF’s portfolio of emitters. In the area of materials, BASF works with partners from the University of Bayreuth, the Technical Universities of Dresden and Braunschweig, and the University of Munich. The development of emitters is essential to progress in OLED technology.

“The endorsement of our work and the funding of the TOPAS 2012 project by the BMBF strengthen our outstanding position in OLED research – also with regard to international competition,” said Dr. Karsten Heuser, project coordinator and head of OLED activities at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.

Research within the TOPAS 2012 project will focus on the development of OLEDs for the lighting systems of the future. This will require all primary colors, in particular highly efficient and stable blue emitters, which are not currently available on the market. Blue emitters ensure that it is possible to achieve all color temperatures from cool to warm white using OLED lighting. Vapor-deposited materials are currently considered to be state-of-the-art and provide long lifetimes and high luminous flux and efficiency. Within the project group OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is focusing on a transparent OLED solution with an area of 1 square meter. Philips is concentrating on developing particularly bright monolithic OLED systems with 1000 Lumen, and AIXTRON is working on production equipment with high-grade deposition concepts based on its OVPD (see below).

“Because lighting accounts for around 20 percent of global energy consumption, the development of energy-saving lighting solutions plays a particularly important role in reducing CO₂ emissions and thus combating global warming,” explained Dr. Dietrich Bertram, head of OLED activities at Philips. OLED technology offers a number of advantages since it is already more efficient than conventional halogen lamps and is expected to achieve the efficiency of low-energy bulbs in the future. In addition, it allows novel flat designs and dispenses with the need of energy-hungry diffusers. As well as offering new design possibilities, flat OLED light sources only a few micrometers thick are also much more user-friendly: They do not dazzle and cast less harsh shadows compared to many conventional point light sources.

Note for editors

Footage and animations for your TV reporting on OLED technology can be downloaded at the following link:

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About OSRAM Opto Semiconductors

OSRAM is part of the Industry sector of Siemens and one of the two leading lighting manufacturers in the world. Its subsidiary, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH in Regensburg (Germany), offers its customers solutions based on semiconductor technology for lighting, sensor and visualization applications. OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has production sites in Regensburg (Germany) and Penang (Malaysia). Its headquarters for North America is in Sunnyvale (USA), and for Asia in Hong Kong. OSRAM Opto Semiconductors also has sales offices throughout the world. For more information go to www.osram-os.com.

About AIXTRON

AIXTRON produces OVPD® (Organic Vapor Phase Deposition) equipment with a focus on the requirements of OLED technologies. In this process, organic materials are transported to and deposited on the substrate extremely precisely with the aid of an inert carrier gas. To do so, AIXTRON has combined OVPD® with the proprietary Close Coupled Showerhead® (CCS) technology, which has already been successfully used in other AIXTRON deposition equipment for the series production of semiconducting components. AIXTRON is a leading provider of deposition equipment to semiconductor industry to build advanced components for electronic and opto-electronic applications based on compound, silicon or organic semiconductor materials and carbon nanostructures. Equipment from AIXTRON has been used cost effectively in the mass production of compound semiconductors for more than 25 years. AIXTRON has installed more than 1,800 systems since 1983 and has established a global sales and service network. More information is available at: www.aixtron.com

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity.” Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 118,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of €26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. In Germany, Philips posted sales of about €3.5 billion in 2008 and has approximately 7,000 employees.

About BASF Future Business GmbH

BASF Future Business GmbH, a 100 percent subsidiary of BASF SE, was founded in April 2001. It aims to open up business areas with above-average growth rates that lie outside BASF’s current activities. The company focuses on chemistry-based new materials, technologies and system solutions. BASF Future Business GmbH commissions research from BASF’s R&D units and cooperates with startup companies, industrial partners, universities and potential customers. Further activities include acquisition of direct stakes, initiation of joint venturesand provision of venture capital via the subsidiary BASF Venture Capital GmbH. Further information on BASF Future Business is available on the Internet at www.basf-fb.de

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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