.gif?width=220&height=200&mediaprotectionhash=b13da841472e6e7ed500ee35df2a350aaf53d75246118b33ea2095cc7e9a3fc4&ext=.gif)
ArcelorMittal and Novaled Pursue Joint OLED Development
10/17/2007 - ArcelorMittal and Novaled join forces for a new Organic Light Emitting Diode project using ArcelorMittal’s steel plates as the substrate to achieve remarkable properties for bendable OLED applications.
ArcelorMittal and Novaled have joined forces for a new OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) project. The partners have been developing top-emitting OLEDs on flexible substrates for signage and lighting purposes since 2006.
OLEDs incorporate organic materials in thin layers that generate light emission when electrical power is applied. In contrast to (inorganic) LEDs, they offer rather large-area sources with low brightness that emit diffuse light in any color. They can be easily structured to show patterns of color or homogeneous white light.
Novaled has been able to achieve remarkable properties for bendable OLED applications when using ArcelorMittal’s steel plates as the substrate. Metallic substrates offer several advantages over standard glass-sheets, including robustness, durability, and ease of production by the roll-to-roll process. The roll-to-roll production method can be adapted to a subsequent inline process for OLED-deposition, enabling high through-put manufacturing with low tact time.
In this collaboration, Novaled contributes its broad technical experience with respect to highly efficient and stable OLED device architectures, as well as its material know-how for doped transport layers.
“We are always looking for ways to innovate and develop new application fields that add value to our steel products. We consider OLEDs to be very promising,” said Michel Beguin, General Manager of ArcelorMittal’s Industry Research Centre. “The Novaled technology gives us the advantage of an efficient top-inverted structure well adapted to our metal substrate”.
Currently, OLEDs are mainly applied in small display applications, e.g. mobile telephones, MP3 players or personal digital assistants (PDAs). By combining color with shape, organic LEDs will also create a new way of decorating and personalizing people’s surroundings with light.
“RGB OLEDs have been processed directly on classical steel plates. The striking results showed that the Novaled technology enables standard steel foil acting as reflective bottom electrode,” added Jan Blochwitz-Nimoth, Novaled’s Chief Technology Officer. “We are very pleased to support ArcelorMittal in its OLED developments on metal plates”.
In the future, thanks to OLEDs’ diffuse emission character and slim/lightweight form, it will be easier for people to create an adaptable lighting environment and to feel comfortable in any mood. OLEDs also offer the potential to become even more efficient as energy-saving bulbs. Once efficient OLEDs are available at mass production costs, they can be used for a multitude of applications in lighting.
ArcelorMittal Liège Research Centre, a unit of the ArcelorMittal Group, specializes in the research and development of products and steel solutions dedicated to the industry market, and in particular in construction. Located in Sart-Tilman University Park, ArcelorMittal Liège Research Centre employs 100 Research Engineers and Technicians. This center develops new products and applications based on the use of new coatings (organic, vacuum). Energy Management is considered as a major concern.
ArcelorMittal is the world's largest steel company, with 320,000 employees in more than 60 countries. It leads a number of major global markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. The Group leads in R&D and technology, holds sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks. Its industrial presence in Europe, Asia, Africa and America gives the Group exposure to key steel markets, from emerging to mature. ArcelorMittal will be looking to develop positions in the high-growth Chinese and Indian markets.
ArcelorMittal’s key pro forma financials for 2006 show combined revenues of USD 88.6 billion. Its production was equivalent to around 10% of world steel output.
Novaled AG is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies and proprietary materials. The company is a spin-off of the Dresden University and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Main investors are Crédit Agricole Private Equity, TechnoStart, TechFund Capital Europe, and CDC Entreprises Innovation.
Founded in 2001, Novaled experienced a rapid growth maturing into a world-class company. Novaled commercializes its Novaled PIN OLEDTM technology along with its proprietary OLED materials to display makers and lighting companies. The company has a strong IP position in OLED technology based on more than 300 patents granted or pending.
