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OLEC Technology is a deep-tech startup working on the development of technology for light-emitting devices.
Specifically, we develop light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with a purely organic emitting layer, which makes them cheaper, more sustainable, and recyclable.
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Light management is one of the cornerstones of modern human society, allowing for continuous economic output throughout the 24-hour cycle.
Currently, practically every dominant lighting technology operates through the process of luminescence. Among the luminescent devices, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are the key technologies that provide lighting of today.
However, LEDs and OLEDs utilize materials predominantly sourced from China (e.g. In, Ga, As) or South Africa (e.g. Ir), resulting in supply chains associated with political risks.
Furthermore, the extraction of these minerals commonly is an unsustainable, environment-degrading, and polluting process.
Moreover, OLEDs are costly due to their complex structure [Figure 1 A] and manufacturing process, limiting their application potential in general lighting solutions.
Like OLEDs, light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are luminescent thin-layer lighting devices. Due to the simple LEC architecture [Figure 1 B] and easy-to-scale printing techniques for their fabrication, LECs are poised to become the predominant low-cost lighting solution of the future.
Furthermore, through the exclusive use of organic materials in the light-emitting layer, LECs hold the promise of evolving into the most environmentally friendly and sustainable class of lighting devices on the market. As of yet, LECs have not been commercially adopted as lighting solutions.
OLEDs are devices that require reactive air-sensitive electrode materials[1] and transition metal (e.g. Ir) complexes[2] in their emissive layers.
Hence, the OLED manufacturing process requires a special oxygen-free environment complicating and increasing manufacturing costs. Accordingly, the complex structure together with material, infrastructure, and production costs result in OLEDs being relatively expensive and not suitable for low-cost lighting solutions.
LED lighting technology has achieved popularity for its high energy efficiency and longevity. However, the LED production manufacturing process involves the use of toxic non-metals and rare-earth elements, which are predominantly sourced from China and have detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health.
For example, gallium arsenide is a key component in LEDs that are known to be carcinogenic and highly toxic to various organs including the lung, testes, kidney, brain, and immune system,[3] with no effective treatment available today.
In addition, LEDs contain hazardous substances like lead and other heavy metals, presenting challenges for proper disposal and recycling. It has been demonstrated that LED waste leaks excessive amounts of copper, nickel, silver, and lead ions into the environment,[4] not only resulting in non-compliance with regulations but also releasing toxic substances into the environment, posing a threat to soil and water quality.
Importantly, since LEDs started to achieve market penetration in 2012 and the expected lifetime of these devices is up to 15 years, the next 10 years will result in a substantial increase in LED waste[5] making both the above-discussed issues even more relevant.
LEC is a simple thin layer light emitting device consisting of an anode (1), light emitting (LE) layer (2), and a cathode (3) [Figure 2].
Typically, layer 1 consists on indium-tin oxide (ITO) and layer 3 of aluminium.[6] In contrast to OLEDs, the LEC LE layer 2 must possess ions capable of movement through the EL.[7] Accordingly, LECs require specific luminescent molecules that capitalize on this necessity.
The startup OLEC has currently developed a LEC consisting of three layers: 1 = ITO layer, 2 = purely organic LE layer; 3 = aluminum layer.
The structure of the LEC device and the turned-on device is visible in Figure 3.
To achieve the current LEC device, OLEC has developed a class of purely organic compounds that have not been utilized in LEC LE layers previously. By utilizing these purely organic materials a LEC prototype has been developed. The produced non-optimized LEC achieved a maximum brightness of 300 cd/m2 and a current efficiency of 6.1 cd/A.
The emission spectrum of the developed purely organic LEC LE layer is given in Figure 4.
Oskars has extensive experience in sales, business development and management. He has worked in private, large state-owned companies and international corporations. For the past five years, he has been running a deep-tech company that develops, manufactures, and sells Internet of Things solutions in the field of energy efficiency.
Kaspars has devoted his whole life to science. He studied chemistry at the University of Latvia, where he obtained a master’s degree and PhD in Organic Chemistry. For the last 14 years, he has been working as a researcher at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. His work focuses on solid-state luminescence phenomena.
Oskars has extensive experience in sales, business development and management. He has worked in private, large state-owned companies and international corporations. For the past five years, he has been running a deep-tech company that develops, manufactures, and sells Internet of Things solutions in the field of energy efficiency.
Kaspars has devoted his whole life to science. He studied chemistry at the University of Latvia, where he obtained a master’s degree and PhD in Organic Chemistry. For the last 14 years, he has been working as a researcher at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. His work focuses on solid-state luminescence phenomena.
An entrepreneur with a diverse range of experience spanning various fields, such as manufacturing, industrial design, aerospace, chemistry, nanotechnology, venture creation, coaching, and team building.
Scientist at Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and Asoc. Prof. at University of Latvia, Faculty of Chemistry. Artis has acquired considerable experience in time-dependent functional density theory calculations with the goal to understand reaction mechanisms and luminescence phenomena.
Leading Researcher at Institute of Solid State Physics. He received PhD (2012) degree in Physics from the University of Latvia. He has more than 15-years of experience in the investigation of the physical properties of functional organic compounds and thin films. It includes investigation of thin films, their optical and light amplification properties, as well as construction of thin-layer optoelectronic devices.
Although we have a vision of where and how this technology could be applied in the future, we are looking for experts in the lighting industry who would be interested in learning more about what we have to offer. Since we lack experience in the lighting industry, from these conversations we would like to receive confirmation of our hypotheses, or vice versa. This will help us develop faster in the right direction.
Although we have a vision of where and how this technology could be applied in the future, we are looking for experts in the lighting industry who would be interested in learning more about what we have to offer. Since we lack experience in the lighting industry, from these conversations we would like to receive confirmation of our hypotheses, or vice versa. This will help us develop faster in the right direction.
Since we already have optimization works planned in the technology development roadmap, we are looking for partners who would be interested in participating in the development of the technology. We are talking about research institutions, suppliers of raw materials, as well as future customers and distribution partners.
Since we already have optimization works planned in the technology development roadmap, we are looking for partners who would be interested in participating in the development of the technology. We are talking about research institutions, suppliers of raw materials, as well as future customers and distribution partners.
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1) Thejo Kalyani, N.; Dhoble, S. J. Organic Light Emitting Diodes: Energy Saving Lighting Technology—a Review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2012, 16, 2696–2723.
2) Jayabharathi, J.; Thanikachalam, V.; Thilagavathy, S. Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Devices: Iridium Based Emitter Materials – an Overview. Coordination Chemistry Reviews 2023, 483, 215100.
3) Flora, S.; Dwivedi, N. A Toxicochemical Review of Gallium Arsenide. Defence Science Journal 2012, 62, 95–104.
4) Lim, S.-R.; Kang, D.; Ogunseitan, O. A.; Schoenung, J. M. Potential Environmental Impacts of Light-Emitting Diodes (Leds): Metallic Resources, Toxicity, and Hazardous Waste Classification. Environmental Science & Technology 2010, 45, 320–327.
5) Kumar, A.; Kuppusamy, V. K.; Holuszko, M.; Song, S.; Loschiavo, A. LED Lamps Waste in Canada: Generation and Characterization. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2019, 146, 329–336.
6) Fresta, E.; Costa, R. D. Beyond Traditional Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells – a Review of New Device Designs and Emitters. Journal of Materials Chemistry C 2017, 5, 5643–5675.
7) Schlingman, K.; Chen, Y.; Carmichael, R. S.; Carmichael, T. B. 25 Years of Light‐emitting Electrochemical Cells: A Flexible and Stretchable Perspective. Advanced Materials 2021, 33.
8) He, L.; Duan, L.; Qiao, J.; Wang, R.; Wei, P.; Wang, L.; Qiu, Y. Blue‐emitting Cationic Iridium Complexes with 2‐(1h‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)Pyridine as the Ancillary Ligand for Efficient Light‐emitting Electrochemical Cells. Advanced Functional Materials 2008, 18, 2123–2131.
OLEC SIA implements the following research project:
Project no. 5.1.1.2.i.0/2/24/A/CFLA/004
Research project number: JP2_21
Project name: “Organisko katjonu luminiscence nākamās paaudzes gaismu izstarojošās elektroķīmiskās šūnās”
in optoelectronics
The purpose of the project: Using the latest advances in optoelectronics and organic material design, develop cost-effective organic LEC devices.
Project implementation period: 01.10.2024 – 31.03.2026
Project support funding: EUR 335 000,00