The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0 as well as the drive for point-of-care biomedical diagnostics is accompanied by a strong need for measuring physical, chemical and biomedical status data in real time with cost-efficient and low-maintenance sensors. With optical measurement techniques being widely employed, miniaturized optical sensor devices are highly promising. Light emitting diodes based on organic semiconductor materials (OLEDs) are experiencing a rapid market growth – in particular in the area of displays. Organic emitter materials may be tailored to any emission wavelength in the visible wavelength range. In addition, cost-efficient fabrication techniques are being developed, for example, based on roll-to-roll fabrication. These properties make OLEDs also very promising for sensor applications. As part of the ERC Starting Grant PhotoSmart (N°307800) we developed an OLED matrix as on-chip light source for switching light-sensitive “smart” surfaces for biosensor applications. OLED matrix devices for sensors require OLEDs with directional emission. We propose to fabricate OLED devices on top of a nanostructured fluorescence waveguide layer and a spacer layer. Wide-angle OLED light emitted is absorbed in the fluorescence layer. By appropriate choice of the fluorescence layer regarding absorption spectrum and emission profile of the photoluminescent emitters, efficient conversion of excitation light to emission into the waveguide is achieved. The design of the nanostructure allows the tailoring of the narrow-angle emitted beam characteristics. Within the BEAMOLED project we successfully demonstrated the narrow-angle emission experimentally. Additionally, we evaluated in our interdisciplinary from electrical engineering, chemistry and entrepreneurship possible application scenarios of these directional OLEDs for novel products. We identified the biomedical diagnostics marked as well as the environmental monitoring market as the most promising markets for the BEAMOLED technology. Our aim is to continue with the formation of a spin-off company and we applied for post-project financing.
