Germany starts roll to roll fabrication of OLEDs and solar cells

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS), and the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (FEP), have joined forces in the development of a technology for an organic devices roll-to-roll production process.

Organic semiconductors are the technological basis for a multitude of innovative products, such as organic light emitting diodes, solar cells, and many other applications. However, the establishment of a powerful European industry for these products can only succeed if industry and research institutions not only work on technology and design, but also manufacture on site.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft realised this and established the Center for Organic Materials and Electronic Devices Dresden (COMEDD) The cooperation of the two Fraunhofer institutes is a significant milestone for the COMEDD to extend its technology basis. The roll-to-roll equipment is located at the Fraunhofer FEP and used by both institutes.

Last week saw the assembly of the new roll-to-roll coating plant for small molecules. The development of the plant is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the Rollex project (roll-to-roll production of high efficiency light diodes on flexible substrates). The equipment is supplied by one of the Rollex partners, the VON ARDENNE Anlagentechnik GmbH.

“This plant is among the first types worldwide to develop and produce OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) lighting modules and organic solar cells. This is an important step in the development of industrial scale manufacturing processes. The strategic cooperation enables a perfect combination of the competencies in the field of coating and device technology,” says Professor Volker Kirchhoff, Director of the Fraunhofer FEP.

According to Professor Karl Leo, Director of the Fraunhofer IPMS, “The new coating plant will enhance Dresden's standing as a cluster location for organic semiconductors. In early 2009, we should see the first OLED demonstrators.”

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) comprises pproximately 210 employees. Services are geared towards customers who wish to innovate their products by using OLEDs and microsystems (MEMS, MOEMS, CMOS).  Main subjects are sensor and actuator systems, micro scanners, spatial light modulators, lifetronics as well as organic materials and systems. The Fraunhofer IPMS covers a wide range of industrial applications. Services include conception, product development and pilot fabrication in institute laboratories and clean rooms – from devices to complete system solutions.

COMEDD – Center for Organic Materials and Electronic Devices Dresden – stands for the combined know-how and infrastructure under the aegis of the Fraunhofer IPMS covering R&D, as well as pilot production of devices and fabrication technologies  based on semiconducting organic materials, known as “small molecules.” COMEDD consolidates the lead of the Organic Electronic Saxony within the R&D  of organic semiconductors by means of industrial, production-related utilisation. COMEDD provides full service – from system design and technological development to pilot production of small batches, including substrate structuring, deposition technology, encapsulation and system integration.

Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (FEP)
Research and development of large-area vacuum deposition on flexible substrates, keeping up-to-date with the requirements of novelty products, it supplies these markets with innovative coatings and coating systems as well as production methods. E-Beam and plasma technologies are used to deposit mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical coatings onto glass, sheet metal and plastic foils form the major part of the institute's work.

Thin coatings with barrier effects, with special optical reflective and filter properties, with transparency and electrical conductivity, with thermo-reflection and absorption are the characteristic products of the Fraunhofer FEP. The research is conducted on behalf of the industry. A multitude of applications requires the modification of the technical processes. In the context of COMEDD activities in organic electronics and photovoltaics, the Fraunhofer FEP's competencies are mainly within encapsulation technology and the roll-to-roll coating of foil with metallic and oxidized electrode materials.

Sources & Contact:http://www.fep.fraunhofer.de
http:www.ipms.fraunhofer.de