backtop


Print 58 comment(s) - last by SlyNine.. on Mar 19 at 3:32 PM


Philips OLED window may be lighting up rooms within a few years. It's transparent by day, and at night streams light into the room.  (Source: Philips Research)
New windows will be clear by day and light up at night

Philips has shown off a wild futuristic concept of a new type of window, which it says it will release to the market in a few years.  The company has developed transparent OLED layers which it can encase in glass or plastic, creating a window that is clear by day, but lights up the interior of a room by night.

Many have speculated that OLEDs might find their way into light-up windows, but until recently the technology to implement such dreams was unavailable.  Now that such tech has arrived, Hans Driessen of Philips Research in an interview with Tech Radar says that it will still take a while for it to mature and hit the market.  He states, "It could be a few years before we see this kind of OLED produced commercially.  We're still far away from creating this, as we need to create bigger surfaces, and this is what projects like OLED100 are doing at the moment."

OLED100 is a European collaborative effort between companies that produce OLEDs.  Currently Phillips, working with this group, has developed a 12cm prototype window that lights up for several minutes.

Problems still abound for the tech, though.  States Mr. Driessen, "The problem is that currently OLEDs need to be produced in a clean room, and a single particle could destroy the entire OLED, so we're working on methods to cope with this at the moment."

Once OLEDs become affordable many speculate their flexible nature and vivid color will make them a natural fit for applications like light-up clothing, or in-window car displays.  For now those looking to get OLED devices might be able to get an OLED television -- provided that they can find one. 

While extremely pricey for their size, and produced in low quantities, these sets are pioneering the way for the OLED industry and feature arguably the best color around.



Comments     Threshold


This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

windows
By Spectator on 3/6/2009 12:59:04 PM , Rating: 4
I want the oled to work as a solar cell in daylight(tinted is ok). then be totally self surficient to produce light all night(1 way of course into the room only).

Can we have that please :P




RE: windows
By mattclary on 3/6/2009 1:06:26 PM , Rating: 2
You might as well just hook it up to your perpetual motion machine for power. ;)


RE: windows
By Repo503 on 3/6/2009 1:38:24 PM , Rating: 5
In this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics!


RE: windows
By quiksilvr on 3/6/09, Rating: 0
RE: windows
By michal1980 on 3/6/09, Rating: 0
RE: windows
By MikeMurphy on 3/6/2009 6:16:00 PM , Rating: 4
OLED windows? Pfft. Lets start with the basics... OLED TVs.

PS. I'm not sure who Phillips, but I am familiar with Philips. Before the title gets plastered all over Daily Tech and other linked websites (maybe too late) you may want to correct the spelling.


RE: windows
By Motoman on 3/6/2009 5:01:11 PM , Rating: 3
Screw that. Zero-point energy FTW!


RE: windows
By CannedTurkey on 3/6/2009 2:29:26 PM , Rating: 5
Solar energy in, collected during the day only has to exceed the output. There is no 'perpetual motion' or breaking of the laws of thermodynamics going on.


RE: windows
By SublimeSimplicity on 3/7/2009 9:20:47 AM , Rating: 3
Except I assume you would also want the window to let in light during the day. You can either let it through or collect it for energy later.


RE: windows
By MrPoletski on 3/9/2009 8:00:21 AM , Rating: 2
or you could just stick a solar panel on your roof where it is going to get more sunlights and charge up a battery for oled window use at night?!?!

oh, and does it light up both ways, hehe are people going to be expected to put curtains on the OUTSIDE of their house? =)


RE: windows
By V3ctorPT on 3/7/2009 2:48:14 PM , Rating: 2
So... This means I need a switch to turn my window off...


RE: windows
By SublimeSimplicity on 3/7/2009 3:59:43 PM , Rating: 5
...or the clapper.


RE: windows
By V3ctorPT on 3/7/2009 5:15:26 PM , Rating: 2
I wonder if it has multiple "lights"... during the day, a normal window... at night... behold Disco Window!! 70's powa!


RE: windows
By FangedRabbit on 3/9/2009 10:02:51 AM , Rating: 2
No, you just have to click "Start"...


RE: windows
By drando on 3/9/2009 12:03:38 PM , Rating: 2
Is this the perpetual motion machine you're talking about?

http://www.dailytech.com/NIST+Creates+Perpetual+Mo...


RE: windows
By AntiM on 3/6/2009 1:11:03 PM , Rating: 5
Another application would be dynamic wall paper (for real walls, not for Windows desktop backgrounds). An entire wall could change from a warm tropical scene to a frigid artic scene, to an amazing outer space scene, or far out colorful patterns, whatever can be dreamed up. It will be neato.

( yes I said "neato", so what? )


RE: windows
By drank12quartsstrohsbeer on 3/6/2009 4:17:10 PM , Rating: 5
along those lines I always though that fake windows would be a good product too. In rooms where there is no real windows or underground rooms, you could hang a lcd/oled hooked to a camera outside. Of course the 'window' could double as a tv or computer monitor as well.


RE: windows
By Korvon on 3/6/2009 6:25:07 PM , Rating: 2
Total Recall. Good movie.


RE: windows
By ekv on 3/7/2009 2:34:56 AM , Rating: 2
"Total Recall" pfft. Slow Glass was before that.

Check out the poignant "Light of Other Days" by Bob Shaw.

http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_...


RE: windows
By UsernameX on 3/8/2009 12:02:52 PM , Rating: 2
Remember Aliens? Sigourney Weaver looking out a 'window' that ended up being exactly this lol.....and now that I've linked this article to the movie.........

GAME OVER MAN! GAME OVER!


RE: windows
By oTAL on 3/9/2009 7:01:27 AM , Rating: 2
The problem with that is called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax">parallax</a>

With a little cam a simple software program you can simulate parallax for a single user (think computer game where your movement in the room equals strafing). However, put two people looking into a fake window with a reasonable distance between them and with current tech it just can't imitate a real window - in a real window the two people would be looking at different things through the window.


RE: windows
By msomeoneelsez on 3/13/2009 2:25:02 AM , Rating: 2
Haven't you heard of the holodeck?

Ok, I satisfied my need for my own star trek reference for the day :D


RE: windows
By Smartless on 3/6/2009 1:54:10 PM , Rating: 3
Where's Tony Stark when you need him.


RE: windows
By Tsuwamono on 3/6/2009 3:59:11 PM , Rating: 5
He'd have it done in 2 hours and made from rocks and a box of crackers.


RE: windows
By MrPoletski on 3/9/2009 8:11:14 AM , Rating: 2
what about putting this tech into your car window giving you a HUD. Short range transponder can transmit the dimensions, position, speed and orientation of nearby vehicles (fit one to every car) and voila, you have a car you'd virtually have to TRY and crash deliberately because cars posing a risk to you glow red - even if you wouldn't normally be able to see them. They make an alarm noise if they are on a collision course and you could probably add emoticons, like 'im late for work' or 'im 90 take it easy on me' or something.

hehe, even better, if loud shouting is detected inside the car then automatically set it to angry=) the emoticons could be displayed over the top of the car on the hud. The hud will of course draw the car over the top of the car you actually see too. It'll draw all cars. hell, you could rig it up to satnav and have it draw the roads and pavement too. give cyclists a transponder too.

Accidents could be a thing of the past!

Have to say tho, this transponder can't transmit too much data, like number plate, as that will only be used as an affront to civil liberties. Can't transmit too far either, 300 metres would probably be enough at high speed. Just a localised thing really.


RE: windows
By safcman84 on 3/9/2009 9:08:51 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I want the oled to work as a solar cell in daylight(tinted is ok). then be totally self surficient to produce light all night(1 way of course into the room only). Can we have that please :P


Should be pretty easy to send the light one way with double glazing - the exterior pane of glass will darken at night (to 100%) and the interior glass pane will then emit the light. no need for curtains on the outside of the house....

the solar panel should be ok as well, just have to hook it up one of those fancy energy storing devices - batteries I think they are called...... :)


window/light combo??
By Suntan on 3/6/09, Rating: 0
RE: window/light combo??
By Repo503 on 3/6/2009 2:04:06 PM , Rating: 3
Agreed...what Id really like are windows with variable tint...I love my view but occasionally I find myself running the AC like crazy because the sun pouring into my house. It would also be great for cars...like total black out windows when parked to keep out the soon and keep thieving eyes off the blackberry and ipod that you forgot to stash before heading into a store...however I can already here law enforcement tripping on that.


RE: window/light combo??
By abscoder on 3/6/2009 2:41:23 PM , Rating: 5
I keep a ninja dressed to match the upholstery in the car. Thieves loose all their street cred when a Recaro kicks their ass.


RE: window/light combo??
By tastyratz on 3/6/2009 4:19:38 PM , Rating: 2
If you would really like it, google it. Its called "smart glass" and has been out for years. Be prepared to remorgage if you want it though.

OLED window lighting concerns me because of their fragility. If they can easily be be destroyed from a single fleck and are as sensitive to sealing as they are... wouldn't you think they would be a poor candidate to be installed in a load bearing structural piece which sees extreme variations in temperature and wind/pressure/etc over time?


RE: window/light combo??
By arkcom on 3/6/2009 4:41:20 PM , Rating: 3
Where are these load bearing windows you speak of?


RE: window/light combo??
By Motoman on 3/6/2009 5:04:34 PM , Rating: 2
...was wondering that too.

But what if you used the OLED window shtuff to build see-through but auto-tinting flying buttresses? That would be dope, def, and fresh all at the same time. And load-bearing. Maybe.


RE: window/light combo??
By tastyratz on 3/6/2009 6:55:20 PM , Rating: 2
on houses that are more than a few years old and "settled"
Wood bends moves flexes and all sorts of happy things. The windows are framed in and don't support the whole house, but they can receive minimal pressure. Glass flexes under high winds, when there is any light impact (that wont break it), etc. Normally everything has a little bit of give. From what I have read so far OLED right now is pretty non tolerant when it comes to sub-perfect seals. Any kind of flex/give/etc could weaken the seals ever so slightly.

I would be concerned for their longevity barring any big advancements in the next few years.


RE: window/light combo??
By melgross on 3/6/2009 7:41:49 PM , Rating: 2
Then the window wouldn't work. If the window works, then there is no stress on the glass inside.

That's not load bearing anyway.


RE: window/light combo??
By ekv on 3/7/2009 2:40:42 AM , Rating: 2
I know what you're talking about [re: old houses].

I don't know what you've read however [re: non-tolerant OLED]. Take a look at the following...

http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/07/flexible-oled-d...


RE: window/light combo??
By aharris on 3/6/2009 4:48:52 PM , Rating: 2
If the Romans and later Gothic architects could work around it, I expect we'll manage.

Up next: The Pope's new OLED stained-glass windows. And you thought San Chappelle was a new experience every time...


RE: window/light combo??
By MadMan007 on 3/6/2009 5:10:40 PM , Rating: 2
Ever heard of shades or curtains?


RE: window/light combo??
By Repo503 on 3/7/2009 1:33:54 AM , Rating: 2
Yeah I never thought about curtains.
Those work fine with a normal window but my west facing windows Id need a ladder...Ill probably install remote controlled ones...as for cars unless you have a maybach curtains kinda scream "dead head" or worse "rape van" Not sure theyd look too hot on a yukon unless I use it as a hearse.


RE: window/light combo??
By NarcoticHobo on 3/6/2009 10:47:08 PM , Rating: 2
In the US? No we have lots of space. In more densely packed places like Europe, China, and Japan this might be quite useful.


RE: window/light combo??
By Suntan on 3/7/2009 10:09:23 AM , Rating: 2
So they don't have ceilings in those regions? Most buildings I have been in around the world had their fare share of ceilings.

-Suntan


RE: window/light combo??
By knightspawn1138 on 3/12/2009 4:54:41 PM , Rating: 2
Well, for those of the human population that are not cave-dwelling nerds, natural light from a window is usually something that gives a house or room a nice vibe. It's not supposed to "solve a problem," but rather make room seem like it's daylight outside when it's not. If you absolutely need it to solve a problem in order for it to validate it's own existence, then install these windows in the towns that are subjected to polar nights (periods of night lasting longer than 24 hours). They could be used to combat the extremely high occurrence of depression by simulating daylight during the appropriate hours of the day.


Can it be used to display more than light?
By Bateluer on 3/6/2009 2:11:32 PM , Rating: 3
Instead of light, could I have it display a forest area or other wallpapers/videos/pictures of my choice? You could have the residence with the worst view on the block and still see pretty vistas outside your windows.

That would be pretty slick.




RE: Can it be used to display more than light?
By jlips6 on 3/6/2009 4:39:12 PM , Rating: 2
A vista.
yes.
This is what I will view using this technology.
...
so if you can hook this up to the internet for photos?...
or perhaps movies?
Just saying.


RE: Can it be used to display more than light?
By jlips6 on 3/6/2009 4:41:58 PM , Rating: 3
oh wait.
If some people were to view my windows from the outside, they could see... my landscapes... too.
Perhaps wallpaper then?


RE: Can it be used to display more than light?
By SlyNine on 3/6/2009 10:48:23 PM , Rating: 3
You're just worried about being cought checking out porn.


RE: Can it be used to display more than light?
By jlips6 on 3/7/2009 7:57:19 PM , Rating: 3
all that careful insinuation ruined. *sigh*


By SlyNine on 3/19/2009 3:32:50 PM , Rating: 2
Cpt.Obvious ruins yet another well played attempt at sarcasm. Muhahahaha.


By Omega215D on 3/6/2009 4:39:38 PM , Rating: 5
Until some hoodlum throws a rock through your window if you are in such a neighborhood.

Or you could be one of those poor souls living near a coal plant and would like the window to instead display a nuclear plant as wishful thinking.


why
By freaqie on 3/6/2009 1:59:27 PM , Rating: 3
i see no use in making windows send out light.
why would you send half the light to the environment
and sacrifice the cosy lighting in a home for false daylighting. which loses a lot of energy instantly.

also taking into account the durability of OLED....

(so far that is)




Just Like Blade Runner...
By jskirwin on 3/6/2009 1:02:36 PM , Rating: 2
In the Tyrell corporate offices.




So many uses
By Screwballl on 3/6/2009 3:30:40 PM , Rating: 2
How about tail-lights and interior lighting for a car? No longer needing to worry about plastic or burnt out bulbs.

How about changeable wallpaper... the kids can have whatever they want, can sleep "under the stars", have a flat wall pad on the wall for lights and fans and other devices (wireless)...

How about a full windshield display showing the same info the dash does including GPS, radio, odometer, fuel gauge, AC/heat, internal temp, external temp and so on... or how about a coating that at night time lights up the road, cars, animals, etc as if it was daytime.

Slimmer view windows for digital cameras, touch pads for printers, computer power/reset button, movable display to monitor the computer case, CPu, GPU temps and such...

Or how about a flat keyboard no thicker than a piece of paper that you just set on your desk plus a "touch" mouse pad rather than a full mouse...

How about credit cards, it only displays the numbers visibly to you when you hold 2 specific points but still has the strip or whatever they decide to use.

so many possibilities...




Window/ TV / light. BRILLIANT
By SlyNine on 3/6/2009 4:32:45 PM , Rating: 2
Any one that's been faced with the ugly option of covering up a window for optimum acoustics for a room might have a perfect solution.

That is if they make it so it can double as a TV. Maybe I'll hold off on choosing laser TV tech over OLED after all.




hmmm
By g35fan on 3/6/2009 6:34:47 PM , Rating: 2
but will bill gate's wife allow it in their home?




lol?
By Murloc on 3/7/2009 4:19:35 AM , Rating: 2
even at night I want to see out of my windows.




Hello, Home Depot....
By Belard on 3/8/2009 6:26:11 AM , Rating: 2
Hello, Home Depot....

Er... my Windows Crashed.

And I can't find ther CTRL-ALT-DEL keys to reboot it.

OLED windows could be cool for lighing... Not expecting the HiDef as in Total Recall, but various colors, shapes. Also at night, while lit - it should also not allow people to "see in"... of course a power failure while doing "activities" could be embarrasing. Or not.




Another use
By plowak on 3/8/2009 3:47:42 PM , Rating: 2
Anyone remember "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury?

www.veddma.com/veddma/Veldt.htm

Enjoy...




Work to do
By gfxBill on 3/8/2009 4:49:46 PM , Rating: 2
Looking at those photos of the window, it isn't exactly casting a lot of light! I know it's small, but still...




hypothetical
By Scrooloose on 3/9/2009 11:21:56 AM , Rating: 2
I come home from work to find my computer crashed and my whole house is a "Blue Window of Death"; how embarrassing.




"Death Is Very Likely The Single Best Invention Of Life" -- Steve Jobs














botimage
Copyright 2012 DailyTech LLC. - RSS Feed | Advertise | About Us | Ethics | FAQ | Terms, Conditions & Privacy Information | Kristopher Kubicki