OLEDs and Transparent Monitor Technology Troy L. Behmer

Roadmap  What is a transparent monitor?  Basic definitions.  Comparison of transparent and top-emitting monitors.  How exactly do they operate?  What are the positives to using them?  Are there any drawbacks?  Examples of current TM’s.  Short video examples.  What is being developed for the future?  Time for questions.

What is a transparent monitor (TM)?  Digital output device that uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) to produce the images it needs to display instead of inorganic material (LED, LCD).  A transparent monitor differs from a normal Top-emitting monitor in that it allows light to pass through in both directions and has much thinner backing substrate, unlike LCD & LED monitors who’s substrates are thicker and usually made of glass.

Continued…  The key to creating TM’s is rooted in OLED’s.  OLED’s can work without back-lighting.  Meaning they can display deep black levels and can be much thinner and lighter than LCD’s to achieve the same and even great display qualities.  The use of plastic substrates with the OLED’s allows for greater degrees of flexibility.

Basic Definitions.  Anode: Terminal area where electrical current flows in from the outside.  Cathode: Terminal area where electrical current flows out from the inside.  Substrate: Flexible plastics or metallic foils that back the other layers of the monitors to help support them.

Comparison of Transparent vs. Top-emitting monitors.

Pros.  The plastic and organic layers of the monitors are thinner, lighter, and much more flexible than the crystalline layers of LCD or LED.  OLED’s allow for brighter color than LEDs, because there is no glass.  No required backlighting.  Easier to produce in large scale, can be made to large sizes than LEDs and LCDs.  Larger fields of view ( larger than 170 degrees).  Lifetime: anywhere from 56,000 – 230,000 hours.  Compared to LEDs average of 50,000 hours and LCDs of 50-60,000 hours.

Cons.  Manufacturing: Right now the manufacturing processes are relatively expensive compared to LCD and LED.  Water: These OLED monitors are extremely susceptible to water unless certain more expensive substrates are used.

Current Examples  Foldable OLED monitors: currently used in many cell phone, PDA, and tablet screens for their durability and ability to give when dropped. Have substrates made of very flexible plastics to reduce the frequency of return or repair for devices.

Video Example: Samsung Smart Window  ww.yout ube.com /watch? v=mTVPV obDrms& feature= player_d etailpag e ww.yout ube.com /watch? v=mTVPV obDrms& feature= player_d etailpag e

Video Example: Samsung OLED Notebook.  outube. com/w atch?v =rwCi- WqMIF A outube. com/w atch?v =rwCi- WqMIF A

Future Development.  OLED coated clothing (Predator Camo): The durability and extreme thinness of foldable OLED’s could allow for “smart clothing” or self adjusting camouflage armor for future soldiers.  Household/ Industrial lighting: The ability to be made in large sheets and produce more energy efficient light then fluorescent lights could help reduce energy costs.

Future Development.  iPhone Concept released earlier this year.

Questions?

Sources.   reinvents-the-window-using-a-transparent-touchscreen- display / reinvents-the-window-using-a-transparent-touchscreen- display / 