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Nanorod Alignment Device for Inexpensive LED Production

Detailed Technology Description

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*Abstract

Invention

The University of Florida is seeking companies interested in commercializing a device that will lower the cost of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by facilitating large-scale development of precisely aligned nanorod arrays, a critical component of LED technology. Also referred to as "solid-state lighting," LEDs are semiconductors that emit visible light when stimulated with electric current. Commercially available since the 1960s, LEDs offer distinct advantages over incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs. For example, they use 57 to 90 percent less energy, run 89 to 96 percent cooler and last 6 to 42 times longer. LEDs are found in traffic signals, vehicle headlamps and in many high-end consumer electronics such as televisions, computers and smartphones. If LED lights were more cost-competitive, they could easily become the standard for all lighting applications. However, their complex manufacturing process makes them relatively expensive and prevents their widespread use. Nanorods (objects that measure 1 to 100 nanometers across) allow LEDs to achieve outstanding efficiency, but also complicate production. In order to function properly, the delicate nanorods must be aligned in a particular way. While maintaining order on a small-scale is easy, attempts to obtain a high degree of precision during large-scale production have failed. Researchers at the University of Florida have invented a device that preserves accurate alignment in much larger nanorod arrays. This technology promises to make LEDs - and devices containing LEDs - more affordable. Worldwide, the LED market is expected to reach $14.8 billion by 2015. This figure could climb even higher if LED technology were to become more affordable.

Application

Device that enables large-scale development of precisely aligned nanorod arrays, lowering the cost of LED-based technologies (e.g. notebook PCs, LCD televisions, mobile phones and residential/commercial lighting)

Advantages

• Maintains precision during large-scale nanorod array production, simplifying subsequent LED fabrication
• Employs a bottom-up method of construction, decreasing manufacturing costs and boosting profit margins
• Makes highly efficient lighting more affordable, encouraging choices that reduce energy demands and protect the environment

Technology

Nanorod structures improve LEDs' efficiency, in part by reducing total internal refraction, allowing more light to escape. However, it is difficult to precisely align nanorods on a large scale. University of Florida researchers have developed a device that will enable manufacturers to achieve a high level of order and size. The invention, with its unique bottom-up approach to fabrication, laterally aligns colloidal nanorods into thin films in two easy steps. First, the nanorods are assembled into micrometer-long colloidal superparticles with each nanorod building block positioned along the long axis of these superparticles. Second, the resulting superparticles are further aligned onto a substrate with parallel micrometer-sized channels using a flow-assisted method. If desired, the array can then be transferred onto the surface of a new substrate through a contact or roll-to-roll printing process.

Related to technology 15025

*Principal Investigator

Name: Yunwei Cao

Department:

Name: Tie Wang

Department:

Name: Xirui Wang

Department:

Country/Region

USA