Abstract:
Over a flexible substrate are formed column lines for a display. Over the substrate and column lines are formed a reflective hydrophobic mesh defining pixels. Over the mesh and column lines is printed an LED ink containing microscopic LED dies. The LED ink de-wets from the mesh. The ink is then cured to electrically connect the bottom electrodes of the LEDs to the column lines within the openings (cells) of the mesh. A dielectric then encapsulates the LEDs while exposing the top electrodes of the LEDs. Transparent row lines are then formed along the rows of the mesh to electrically contact the top electrodes in each row. The LEDs within any cell can be turned on by address in a pair of row and column lines. Phosphor dots may be printed to over blue-emitting LEDs to create red, green, and blue sub-pixels for a full color display.
Abstract:
A layer of microscopic, 3-terminal transistors is printed over a first conductor layer so that bottom electrodes of the transistors electrically contact the first conductor layer. A first dielectric layer overlies the first conductor layer, and a second conductor layer over the first dielectric layer contacts intermediate electrodes on the transistors between the bottom electrodes and top electrodes. A second dielectric layer overlies the second conductor layer, and a third conductor layer over the second dielectric layer contacts the top electrodes. The devices are thus electrically connected in parallel by a combination of the first conductor layer, the second conductor layer, and the third conductor layer. Separate groups of the devices may be interconnected to form more complex circuits. The resulting circuit may be a very thin flex-circuit.
Abstract:
LED modules are disclosed having a control MOSFET, or other transistor, in series with an LED. In one embodiment, a MOSFET wafer is bonded to an LED wafer and singulated to form thousands of active 3-terminal LED modules with the same footprint as a single LED. Despite the different forward voltages of red, green, and blue LEDs, RGB modules may be connected in parallel and their control voltages staggered at 60 Hz or greater to generate a single perceived color, such as white. The RGB modules may be connected in a panel for general illumination or for a color display. A single dielectric layer in a panel may encapsulate all the RGB modules to form a compact and inexpensive panel. Various addressing techniques are described for both a color display and a lighting panel. Various circuits are described for reducing the sensitivity of the LED to variations in input voltage.
Abstract:
A printed energy storage device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and the second electrode. At least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator includes frustules, for example of diatoms. The frustules may have a uniform or substantially uniform property or attribute such as shape, dimension, and/or porosity. A property or attribute of the frustules can also be modified by applying or forming a surface modifying structure and/or material to a surface of the frustules. The frustules may include multiple materials. A membrane for an energy storage device includes frustules. An ink for a printed film includes frustules.
Abstract:
An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary apparatus comprises: a plurality of diodes; at least a trace amount of a first solvent; and a polymeric or resin film at least partially surrounding each diode of the plurality of diodes. Various exemplary diodes have a lateral dimension between about 10 to 50 microns and about 5 to 25 microns in height. Other embodiments may also include a plurality of substantially chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns.
Abstract:
In a method for forming a phosphor-converted LED, an array of vertical LEDs is printed over a conductive surface of a substrate such that a bottom electrode of the LEDs ohmically contacts the conductive surface. A dielectric layer then formed over the conductive surface. An electrically conductive phosphor layer is deposited over the dielectric layer and the LEDs to ohmically contact the top surface of the LEDs and connect the LEDs in parallel. The conductive phosphor layer is formed by phosphor particles intermixed with a transparent conductor material. One or more metal contacts over the conductive phosphor layer conduct current through the conductive phosphor layer and the LEDs to illuminate the LEDs. A portion of light generated by the LED leaks through the conductive phosphor layer, and the combination of the LED light and phosphor light creates a composite light.
Abstract:
The various embodiments of the invention provide an addressable or a static emissive display comprising a plurality of layers, including a first substrate layer, wherein each succeeding layer is formed by printing or coating the layer over preceding layers. Exemplary substrates include paper, plastic, rubber, fabric, glass, ceramic, or any other insulator or semiconductor. In an exemplary embodiment, the display includes a first conductive layer attached to the substrate and forming a first plurality of conductors; various dielectric layers; an emissive layer; a second, transmissive conductive layer forming a second plurality of conductors; a third conductive layer included in the second plurality of conductors and having a comparatively lower impedance; and optional color and masking layers.
Abstract:
An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary method of making a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises: adding a viscosity modifier to a plurality of diodes in a first solvent; and mixing the plurality of diodes, the first solvent and the viscosity modifier to form the liquid or gel suspension of the plurality of diodes. Various exemplary diodes have a lateral dimension between about 10 to 50 microns and about 5 to 25 microns in height. Other embodiments may also include a plurality of substantially chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns.
Abstract:
A PV module is formed having an array of PV cells, where the cells are separated by gaps. Each cell contains an array of small silicon sphere diodes (10-300 microns in diameter) connected in parallel. The diodes and conductor layers may be patterned by printing. A continuous metal substrate supports the diodes and conductor layers in all the cells. A dielectric substrate is laminated to the metal substrate. Trenches are then formed by laser ablation around the cells to sever the metal substrate to form electrically isolated PV cells. A metallization step is then performed to connect the cells in series to increase the voltage output of the PV module. An electrically isolated bypass diode for each cell is also formed by the trenching step. The metallization step connects the bypass diode and its associated cell in a reverse-parallel relationship.
Abstract:
A conductive ink may include a nickel component, a polycarboxylic acid component, and a polyol component, the polycarboxylic acid component and the polyol component being reactable to form a polyester component. The polyester component may be formed in situ in the conductive ink from a polyol component and a polycarboxylic acid component. The conductive ink may include a carbon component. The conductive ink may include an additive component. The conductive ink may include nickel flakes, graphene flakes, glutaric acid, and ethylene glycol. The conductive ink may be printed (e.g., screen printed) on a substrate and cured to form a conductive film. A conductive film may include a nickel component and a polyester component.