Government grant boosts optoelectronics

17 Jun 2002

A UK-based university has secured funding to develop light-emitting organic semiconductors.

The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has awarded a £694000 grant to the University of St Andrews, Scotland, to investigate a class of organic semiconductors that can carry current and emit light. Leading a team of scientists at the University's Organic Semiconductor Interdisciplinary Research Facility, Professor Ifor Samuel is keen to understand and exploit the material's properties.

"[Unlike conventional semiconductors], organic semiconductors are flexible, low cost and versatile plastic-like materials that are opening exciting new directions for electronics," said Samuel. "In a few years it will be possible to make television screens that can be rolled up, information displays on roller-blinds and light-emitting clothing."

Samuel also anticipates that the materials could feature in solar-power applications and will have a major impact on the Scottish semiconductor and optoelectronic industries.