Stretchable OLED Metal Electrodes Segmented for Crack Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional organic light-emitting display devices with stretchable substrates often suffer from cracks in metal electrodes due to stress from stretching, shrinking, or bending, as metal electrodes are not equally stretchable as the substrate.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable organic light-emitting display device is designed with a stretchable substrate made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and metal electrodes separated into rows, electrically coupled by silver nanowires, allowing for stress absorption and reducing the likelihood of cracks during stretching or bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a stretchable substrate is used to enable stretchable characteristics, then the substrate can be extended, expanded, or bent, but cracks are generated in the metal electrode due to stress from stretching, shrinking, or bending
Solution Approach 1:
The metal electrode is divided into multiple separated metal electrode pieces arranged in rows, rather than using a continuous metal electrode. This segmentation allows each piece to independently accommodate substrate deformation without generating cracks, while still maintaining electrical connectivity through conductive pathways formed in the stretchable substrate.
2Ease of operation
If the substrate is stretched, then stretchable characteristics are achieved, but stress causes cracks in the metal electrode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a stretchable substrate made of elastomeric material that can be stretched without generating cracks. The separated metal electrode pieces are arranged on this flexible substrate, allowing the substrate to deform while the metal pieces remain intact. The conductive pathways in the stretchable substrate accommodate the deformation, maintaining electrical connectivity without compromising metal electrode strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents cracks in metal electrodes, enabling a stable and flexible organic light-emitting display device that can be stretched or bent without damage.
Implementation Method 1
The stretchable substrate may include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
Implementation Method 2
a power wiring for electrically coupling respective ones of the metal electrodes in each row
Data Source
AI summary
A stretchable organic light-emitting display device includes a stretchable base plate including a stretchable substrate, first metal electrodes that are separated from each other and located in a plurality of rows on a the stretchable substrate, and first power wirings electrically coupling respective ones of the metal electrodes of each row, a light-emitting layer on the stretchable base plate, second metal electrodes located in a plurality of rows on the light-emitting layer and corresponding to the first metal electrodes, second power wirings for electrically coupling respective ones of the second metal electrodes of each row, and an encapsulation substrate covering the second power wiring.