Stretchable OLEDs based on a hidden active area for high fill factor and resolution compensation

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Materials Science
• Flexible Electronics

Background:

• Stretchable organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) offer versatile form factors but suffer from reduced geometrical fill factor (FF) upon stretching.
• This FF reduction limits their practical applications in wearable and adaptable displays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel three-dimensional (3D) architecture for stretchable OLEDs that preserves geometrical fill factor (FF) under strain.
• To demonstrate the potential of this architecture for high-performance, deformable displays.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an ultrathin OLED integrated onto a 3D rigid island array structure using quadaxial stretching.
• Implementation of a 'hidden active area' design where the OLED material folds between islands and surfaces upon stretching.
• Evaluation of FF and display performance under biaxial strain.

Main Results:

• The proposed 3D architecture successfully maintained a high FF in stretchable OLEDs, even after 30% biaxial strain.
• Passive-matrix OLED displays utilizing this architecture showed compensation for post-stretch resolution loss.
• The design effectively integrates the active area as both an emitter and interconnector.

Conclusions:

• The novel 3D architecture with a hidden active area is a viable strategy to enhance the performance of stretchable OLEDs.
• This approach addresses the critical challenge of FF reduction in deformable optoelectronics.
• The technology shows promise for advanced, highly stretchable display applications.