New CNT light panel that could outperform OLEDs made in Japan

An academic team from Tohoku University has demonstrated a new light emission technology based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

CNTs have been used to create a new form of light-emitting cell – Source: Tohoku University The demonstrator device is described in a paper published in the Review of Scientific instruments. The emitter is formed like a flattened cathode ray tube (CRT) screen.

OLED challenge
When the CNT design is optimised the developers believe it will be able to achieve a luminosity of 60 lumens and consume one hundredth of the power of a conventional LED.

This performance could see it becoming a competitor for OLED as a next generation lighting technology especially as there is the potential to easily turn the CNT emitter into large area lighting panels.

Firms that have invested in OLED lamps will have a significant head start however. In an interview, team leader Norihiro Shimoi says a commercial release of the new illumination technology will not happen before the end of 2018.

By John Nelson, follow John on Google+

New CNT light panel that could outperform OLEDs made in Japan

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