ArcelorMittal, the world's largest quality steel maker, and
Novaled, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology and material
provider, have joined forces for a new OLED project. The partners are
developing top-emitting OLEDs on flexible substrates for signage and
lighting purposes since 2006.
By using ArcelorMittal's steel plates as substrates, remarkable
properties for bendable OLED applications can be achieved. Metallic
substrates offer several advantages. Compared to standard glass-sheets
they are more robust and durable and commonly produced by roll-to-roll
process. This production method can be adapted to a subsequent inline
process for OLED-deposition enabling high through-put manufacturing
with low tact time. In this collaboration Novaled contributes both its
broad technical experience with respect to highly efficient and stable
OLED device architectures as well as its material know-how for doped
transport layers.
"We are always looking for ways to innovate and develop new
application fields that add value to our steel products. We consider
OLEDs to be very promising" says Michel Beguin, General Manager of
ArcelorMittal's Industry Research Centre. "The Novaled technology
gives us the advantage of an efficient top inverted structure well
adapted to our metal substrate".
"RGB OLEDs have been processed directly on classical steel plates.
The striking results showed that the Novaled technology enables
standard steel foil acting as reflective bottom electrode" adds Jan
Blochwitz-Nimoth, CTO of Novaled. "We are very pleased to support
ArcelorMittal in its OLED developments on metal plates".
About OLEDs
OLEDs, unlike normal (inorganic) LEDs, incorporate organic
materials in thin layers generating light emission when electrical
power is applied. In contrast to LEDs, they are rather large-area
sources with low brightness that emit diffuse light in any colour.
They can be easily structured to show patterns of colour or
homogeneous white light. Currently OLEDs are mainly applied in small
display applications, e.g. mobile telephones, MP3 players or personal
digital assistants (PDAs). In the future, thanks to OLEDs' diffuse
emission character and slim/lightweight form, it will be easier for
people to create an adaptable lighting environment and to feel
comfortable in any mood. By combining colour with shape, organic LEDs
will also create a new way of decorating and personalizing people's
surroundings with light. OLEDs offer the potential to become even more
efficient as energy-saving bulbs. Once efficient OLEDs are available
at mass production costs, they can be used for a multitude of
applications in lighting.
About ArcelorMittal Liege Research Centre
ArcelorMittal Liege Research Centre is a unit of the ArcelorMittal
Group specializing in the research and development of products and
steel solutions dedicated to the Industry market and in particular in
Construction. Located in Sart-Tilman University Park, ArcelorMittal
Liege Research Centre employs 100 Research Engineers and Technicians.
This center develops new products and applications based on the use of
new coatings (organic, vacuum). Energy Management is considered as a
major concern.
About ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is the world's number one steel company, with
320,000 employees in more than 60 countries. It has led the
consolidation of the world steel industry and today ranks as the only
truly global steelmaker wit an industrial presence in 27 countries.
ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global markets, including
automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. The
Group leads in R&D and technology, holds sizeable captive supplies of
raw materials and outstanding distribution networks.
Its industrial presence in Europe, Asia, Africa and America give
the Group exposure to all the key steel markets, from emerging to
mature. ArcelorMittal will be looking to develop positions in the
high-growth Chinese and Indian markets.
ArcelorMittal key pro forma financials for 2006 show combined
revenues of USD 88.6 billions. Its production was equivalent to around
10 per cent of world steel output.
ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT),
Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MTP), Brussels (MTBL), Luxembourg (MT) and on
the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid (MTS) and
Valencia.
www.arcelormittal.com
About Novaled
Novaled AG is engaged in the research, development and
commercialization of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies
and proprietary materials. The Company is a spin-off of the Dresden
University and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Main investors are Credit
Agricole Private Equity, TechnoStart, TechFund Capital Europe and CDC
Entreprises Innovation.
Founded in 2001, Novaled experienced a rapid growth maturing into
a world-class company. Novaled commercializes its Novaled PIN OLED(TM)
technology along with its proprietary OLED materials to display makers
and lighting companies. The company has a strong IP position in OLED
technology based on more than 300 patents granted or pending.
www.novaled.com
