{"id":14329,"date":"2015-02-05T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2015-02-05T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/architizer.wpengine.com\/oled-plastic-paper-thin-panels-by-lg\/"},"modified":"2022-05-31T11:54:23","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T15:54:23","slug":"oled-plastic-paper-thin-panels-by-lg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/practice\/materials\/oled-plastic-paper-thin-panels-by-lg\/","title":{"rendered":"Let There Be OLED Light: Paper-Thin Plastic Panels by LG"},"content":{"rendered":"

LG Chem<\/a>, the chemical branch of the South-Korean tech conglomerate, has just made two major breakthroughs in OLED technology: They\u2019ve begun mass-producing the world\u2019s largest super-slim OLED panel, .88 millimeters (.03 inches) thick with a surface of 320-by-320 millimeters (12.5-by-12.5 inches), and selling engineering samples of a new super-flexible plastic OLED panel, perhaps the bendiest light ever.<\/p>\n

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LG Chem\u2019s new plastic OLED panels. Images via LG Chem<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

The unique advantage of an OLED is in its form. While LEDs typically come in bulb form with requisite hardware \u2014 heat sinks, module frames, diffusers, etc. \u2014 OLEDs are made of layers of thin semiconductor materials, making them inherently sheet-like. With an output of 60 lumens per watt, they\u2019re also energy-efficient. They\u2019re lightweight, glare-free, and possess a spectral distribution similar to that of natural light. Through LG Chem\u2019s encapsulation technology, they can function while submerged in water, and the new extra-large sheets have roughly the same brightness as a 60- to 75-watt incandescent bulb.<\/p>\n

Its potential uses are myriad. In addition to high-def curved TV screens<\/a>, Vampire protection<\/a>, and some groovy lamps (including the unfortunately named SMALP smart lamp), the architectural applications seem to be endless. Late last year, Grimshaw came up with a variety of uses through a company-wide design competition, including a sliding panel of window louvers that provided shade during the day and a source of light at night; an illuminated rain canopy; and a safety strip for the edges of train platforms.<\/p>\n