Susan E Carter

US Patent:

7115216, Oct 3, 2006

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/327628

Inventors:

Susan A. Carter - Santa Cruz CA, US
John G. Victor - Chicago IL, US
Sara Tuttle - Santa Cruz CA, US
Jane Breeden - Felton CA, US

Assignee:

Add-Vision, Inc. - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

C09K 11/06
C09K 11/02

US Classification:

25230116, 25230134

Abstract:

The addition of a variety of additives to a soluble electroluminescent polymer in solution is used to improve the printability and performance of screen printed light-emitting polymer-based devices. Examples of such additives include transparent polymers, gel-retarders, high viscosity liquids, organic and inorganic salts, and oxide nanoparticles. The additives are used to control the viscosity of the electroluminescent polymer ink, to decrease the solvent evaporation rate, and to improve the ink consistency and working time. In addition, these additives can improve the charge injection and power efficiency of light emitting devices manufactured from the screen printable electroluminescent polymer ink.

US Patent:

7261795, Aug 28, 2007

Filed:

Dec 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/745953

Inventors:

Matthew C. Wilkinson - Scotts Valley CA, US
Susan A. Carter - Santa Cruz CA, US
Melissa Kreger - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Add-Vision, Inc. - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

B29C 65/00

US Classification:

156298, 156285, 1562722, 313512, 313483

Abstract:

A cost effective manufacturing process encapsulates a light emitting polymer (LEP) device between two flexible sheet materials, where one sheet may act as the substrate for the LEP device and the other sheet may act as a cover for the LEP device, and at least one of the sheets is transparent. Both encapsulating sheets and, as required, an adhesive system binding the sheets together provide sufficient environmental barriers with low moisture vapor transmission rates (MVTR) and oxygen transmission rates (OTR). The encapsulating sheets may, for example, be laminated together, sandwiching the LEP device in a vacuum, or oxygen/moisture free, and inert gas environment. Prior to encapsulation the LEP device may be heated and placed in a vacuum to remove moisture, air and residual solvents. The process may also be designed for roll to roll, sometimes called web based processing, where the LEP device and/or encapsulating sheet material are in a continuous roll format with an adhesive with low air permittivity, such as some UV or thermal curable epoxies, or a melt lamination process used to attach the encapsulating sheets. For LEP devices with short lifetime requirements, the encapsulating material may be in liquid form and applied by spraying, dipping, doctor balding, and the like, or printing, such as screen printing, roller coating or lithographic application in single or multiple layers.

US Patent:

20030153141, Aug 14, 2003

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/327632

Inventors:

Susan Carter - Santa Cruz CA, US
John Victor - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

H01L021/8238

US Classification:

438/200000

Abstract:

A screen printed light emitting polymer device is fabricated by depositing an electroluminescent polymer layer between a transparent electrode and an air stable screen printed top electrode. Screen printing a conductive electrode on top of a light emitting polymer layer typically results in a short circuit because metal conductive particles poke through the polymer layer. We have found three ways to prevent this. One is to screen print an organic conductor on top of the light emitting polymer layer so that metal conductive particles cannot penetrate to the transparent electrode. Another way is to decrease the particle size in the conductive metal paste in addition to using a solvent that does not soften the light emitting polymer layer being printed on. A third way is to print a sol-gel conductive layer where the conductive metal particles precipitate after the layer is printed. In addition, additives to the screen printed top electrode can be used to improve device efficiency.

US Patent:

20060172448, Aug 3, 2006

Filed:

Apr 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/279393

Inventors:

Susan Carter - Santa Cruz CA, US
John Victor - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

Add-Vision, Inc. - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

H01L 21/00

US Classification:

438029000

Abstract:

A screen printed light emitting polymer device is fabricated by depositing an electroluminescent polymer layer between a transparent electrode and an air stable screen printed top electrode. This invention describes advantageous methods and materials for printed top electrodes for polymer light emitting devices including composite electrode inks containing conducting particles, ionic, semiconducting and non-conducting components. These improvements can simplify device processing and costs as well as improve device performance in terms of voltage, prevention of shorting, operating lifetime and other metrics.

US Patent:

20080061682, Mar 13, 2008

Filed:

Oct 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/538018

Inventors:

Susan Carter - Santa Cruz CA, US
John Victor - Chicago IL, US
Sara Tuttle - Santa Cruz CA, US
Jane Breeden - Felton CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 51/54

US Classification:

313504000

Abstract:

The addition of a variety of additives to a soluble electroluminescent polymer in solution is used to improve the printability and performance of screen printed light-emitting polymer-based devices. Examples of such additives include transparent polymers, gel-retarders, high viscosity liquids, organic and inorganic salts, and oxide nanoparticles. The additives are used to control the viscosity of the electroluminescent polymer ink, to decrease the solvent evaporation rate, and to improve the ink consistency and working time. In addition, these additives can improve the charge injection and power efficiency of light emitting devices manufactured from the screen printable electroluminescent polymer ink.