R2Flex project successfully completed the display of flexible OLED desk lamps

Recently, the R2Flex project, which took two and a half years and invested 11 million euros, was successfully completed. The project aims to develop new technologies, using roll-to-roll R2R) processing technology to make flexible OLEDs that are efficient and affordable, and ultimately demonstrate the prototype of a flexible OLED desk luminaire. It uses two OLED lighting panels, produced in COMEDD, and serially connected via flexible contacts.

The main challenge in this project is to develop deposition techniques for complex OLED structures. Performing this process in a roll-to-roll production line is very complicated, but it can still be successfully completed. Tridonic's technical assessment of this includes the safe and low-cost electrical contact of flexible OLEDs on metal substrates, as well as their luminaire integration. The problem caused by the barrier film contact was solved by the cooperation between Tridonic and Fraunhofer COMEDD.

The flexible OLED panel is fabricated on a metal foil. This metal was chosen because it is cost-effective to use it as a substrate, which is in line with one of the project's main goals - reducing the production cost of OLEDs.

As part of the project, FraunhoferCOMEDD improved its R2R research line and developed new models and packaging technologies. They say they have also established new technologies that can move OLED processes from rigid substrates to roll-to-roll processes.