Information Madness

A revolution in lighting is on the horizon with the bendable, paper-thin technology known as OLEDS, or organic light-emitting diodes — and the sky’s the limit when it comes to bright ideas on how to use them. Currently under development at GE’s Global Research Centers, might actually bend and stretch its way into everyday life in the years ahead.

LED is the near-term solution for more energy-efficient, high quality lighting, but the longer-term future of lighting is OLED - "Organic LED" technology. Like LEDs, OLEDs are based on semiconductors, but add thin layers of organic molecules that create light when electric current is applied.

OLEDs - ultra-thin, cool to the touch and flexible - will enable new ways of lighting and display, such as transparent displays embedded in windows and uniquely-designed lamps. They also consume less power than incandescent bulbs.

"We're still in the research stages," said Anil Duggal, advanced technology leader for Electronic Materials Systems at General Electric's Global Research Center.

"Once you can bend, you're thinking outside the bulb. This is a new dimension."

"Imagine having a light source that you put into your window at home," said Janice Mahon of OLED pioneer Universal Display. "During the day it's transparent, the sun shines in. But at night you can turn the window on, so light will glow and light your room."

Check out the video below that shows the latest GE's OLED light bulbs..