Get ready for self-powered OLEDs

Power Paper and GE's Global Research arm will jointly develop self-powered OLED lighting devices. Using low-cost, high volume manufacturing processes, these devices could be deployed in a wide variety of environments from military ships to night-time jogging vests.

Power Paper develops and licenses micro-power clean technology based on an innovative paper-thin, flexible, safe, environment-friendly, printable battery.

Under the terms of the agreement, the collaboration will combine Power Paper’s novel thin film batteries and GE’s industry leading Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology. The goal of the GE-Power Paper project is to develop a first generation of self-powered OLED lighting products and identify next generation technologies with enhanced capabilities. 

Says Zvika Nitzan, chief technology officer of Power Paper, “It is important to note that Power Paper batteries do not contain caustic chemicals, and cannot overheat, explode, or cause burns or electrical shock. They are non-toxic and non-flammable and can therefore be freely shipped, stored, and disposed of after use. The batteries contain no heavy metals such as mercury, lead or cadmium, commonly found in conventional batteries, making them suitable for disposable applications. Power Paper design and printing processes allows the ability to control shape and size of the battery according to the device needs. The bottom line: our batteries help to prevent accidents, reduce shipping costs and enable our partners to create differentiated products.”

GE put out an announcement about this development:

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091210005442&newsLang=en

Popular Science also did a small item on this:

http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2009-12/self-powered-oleds-utilize-printed-batteries