Stephen Blackman, President and Chief Design Officer, BlackJack Lighting, recently published a whitepaper about OLED technology that really got me thinking about its design possibilities. I enjoyed the opportunity to interview him about his vision concerning the potential for OLED as a lighting technology.
DiLouie: Why OLED?
Blackman: OLED is a very exciting, up and coming technology that works well for general illumination because the OLED surface evenly distributes light over a spread of 180 degrees. OLEDs do not need an optic lens or diffuser. I especially like the fact that OLEDs produce little if any heat and can be attached to many different materials. They are an incredibly thin light source that can lead to fixtures in sizes and shapes the industry has not seen before. And OLED efficiency is almost running parallel to the development cycle of LEDs. Their efficiency is about five to seven years behind LEDs, but I think have OLEDs the potential to match LEDs someday.
DiLouie: What do you feel OLED is best suited for in this stage of its development?
Blackman: That’s a good question. I’d say OLED are best suited for general illumination in applications that require close-up illumination like a task lamp, or areas that require lower light levels, like an outdoor paths. With halogen, you get a tremendous amount of light from one light source, but also a lot of glare. OLEDs put a lot of light in a task area without any glare because the light is spread over a wider surface. Outdoors, the light source is typically aimed directly at you. OLED illumination spreads across the panel evenly with little glare–even if you look straight at it. And that’s without a diffuser.
DiLouie: Where do you see OLED product development headed in the near future?
Blackman: OLED product development is paralleling LEDs’ development cycle. The efficiency is going up, and lifetime is going up, too. Right now, I’d say OLED efficiency and its lifetime are comparable to a CFL. In a year or two, the efficiency will greatly increase.
The luminous output will also increase for OLEDs, but that’s a delicate balance because here is a light source with even illumination, and no glare. I predict some OLEDs will be brighter, intended for use with a diffuser or reflector. Then there will be glare-free OLEDs you can look at straight on without a diffuser.
DiLouie: What are the new possibilities with light that this technology offers?
Blackman: The OLED light source is very easy to use. I don’t need I love the fact that I do not need a diffuser and optical lens, or a heat sink like LEDs do. But what I really think is great is that I can apply OLEDs to a variety of materials. I am experimenting with new designs that hold the light source with a solid piece of rubber. Due to heat, in the past you would never use rubber to hold most light sources. Now here is an opportunity to attach light sources to rubber, fabric, wood, plastic and more.
DiLouie: What lessons have you learned about OLED during your work developing luminaires around it?
Blackman: Product development from many different manufacturers and suppliers has created OLEDs in many sizes and shapes. Similar to the LED industry, where there are too many choices, there needs to be standard sizing and standard sockets. In terms of engineering, my OLED designs require solutions to how to support the panels and to power them. It is difficult to support this thin glass light source, and it is not easy connecting to it mechanically and electrically. Also, the technology is very expensive at this point. Due to current price points, manufacturers need to learn how to create extra value with the inherent design of the fixture. I want to come up with exciting new designs that make OLED lamps and chandeliers seem worth the asking price.
DiLouie: If you could tell the entire lighting industry just one thing about OLED, what would it be?
Blackman: OLEDs are never going to replace LEDs, but the technology will become a very viable general illumination option. LEDs actually are not best suited to general illumination and they are not easily controlled. It can be difficult to make LEDs into a general illumination fixture, but OLEDs will do it effortlessly. Both technologies will become increasingly important, but for different applications: OLED for general illumination, and LED where you need more control over the light.
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