Organic devices having a fiber structure

• US 7,194,173 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University (Princeton University)
• Original Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University (Princeton University)
• Inventors: Forrest, Stephen R., Shtein, Max
• Primary Examiner(s): Connelly-Cushwa; Michelle
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wood; Kevin S.
• Application Number:
  US10/892,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20060013549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 385123-128
• US Class Current: 385/128
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/20 comprising organic-organic junctions, e.g. donor-acceptor junctions
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/30 comprising bulk heterojunctions, e.g. interpenetrating networks of donor and acceptor material domains
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/451 comprising a metal-semiconductor-metal [m-s-m] structure
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/53 in the form of fibres or tubes, e.g. photovoltaic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/80 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/11 characterised by the electroluminescent [EL] layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/182 OLED comprising a fiber structure
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/00 Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element covered by group H10K50/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/549 Organic PV cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A photoactive fiber is provided, as well as a method of fabricating such a fiber. The fiber has a conductive core including a first electrode. An organic layer surrounds and is electrically connected to the first electrode. A transparent second electrode surrounds and is electrically connected to the organic layer. Other layers, such as blocking layers or smoothing layers, may also be incorporated into the fiber. The fiber may be woven into a cloth.

Claims

1. A structure, comprising:

a conductive core including a first electrode;

an organic layer surrounding the core and electrically connected to the first electrode; and

a transparent second electrode surrounding and electrically connected to the organic layer,

wherein the first electrode, the organic layer, and the second electrode comprise a photosensitive device, and the organic layer comprises a photoactive region.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the core includes a non-conductive support element and a conductive first electrode surrounding the non-conductive support element.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the support element comprises a nylon fiber.

4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the support element comprises an optical fiber.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the conductive core comprises a metal wire.

6. The structure of claim 1, further comprising an electrically conductive auxiliary conductor electrically coupled to the second electrode.

7. The structure of claim 6, wherein the auxiliary conductor has an axis substantially parallel to an axis of the core.

8. The structure of claim 6, wherein the auxiliary conductor is wound around the second electrode with a duty cycle of at least about the circumference of the second electrode.

9. The structure of claim 6, wherein the auxiliary conductor is one of a metallic wire, a metallized wire, a metallic ribbon, a metallized ribbon, and a metallic coating.

10. The structure of claim 6, wherein the auxiliary conductor is braid of electrical conductors surrounding the second electrode.

11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, copper, and aluminum.

12. The structure of claim 1, wherein the second electrode comprises a material selected from the group consisting of PEDOT and PSS.

13. The structure of claim 1, wherein the organic layer further comprises a non-photoactive region.

14. The structure of claim 13, wherein the non-photoactive region is an exciton blocking layer.

15. The structure of claim 1, wherein the photoactive region comprises a heterojunction between a pair of organic materials, the pair of organic materials being selected from the group consisting of PCBM/MDMO-PPV, CuPc/C₆₀, and CuPc/PTCBI.

16. The structure of claim 1, further comprising an outer layer surrounding the second electrode.

17. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first electrode, the organic layer, and the second electrode comprise an organic light emitting device, and the organic layer comprises a light emitting layer.

18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the organic layer further comprises a non-emissive layer.

19. The structure of claim 18, wherein the organic layer further comprises first and second blocking layers disposed adjacent to and in physical contact with the emissive layer.

20. A fabric, comprising

a plurality of fibers woven into the fabric, each fiber comprising:

a conductive core including a first electrode;

an organic layer surrounding the core and electrically connected to the first electrode; and

a transparent second electrode surrounding and electrically connected to the organic layer,

wherein for each fiber, the first electrode, the organic layer, and the second electrode comprise a photosensitive device, and the organic layer comprises a photoactive region of the respective fiber.