In the H2020 EU project OLEDSOLAR the project consortium developed innovative manufacturing processes and in-line monitoring techniques suitable for flexible electronics substrate production, OLED, and thin film photovoltaic manufacturing industries (CIGS and OPV). We were particularly focused on not only improving the quality and yield of the fabricated devices (i.e. OLEDs and PVs); but also improving the processing efficiency and sustainability.
Novel uses of opto-electronic devices will revolutionize the electronics industry. With new display options using flexible substrates such as plastic and flexible glass, OLEDs manufacturers bring a wide range of new applications in lighting (e.g. energy efficient lighting) and different display types. Similarly, with the emergence of thin-film technologies in the solar cells market, new applications ranging from installations on curved surfaces to building integrated PV has become possible. However, to meet the industry requirements for mass production, including low cost, large manufacturing volumes, and highly efficient production, many challenges still need to be overcome. These necessary improvements, for OPV, OLED and CIGS, are related to the selection of efficient manufacturing processes; employing inspection, control and measurement techniques to improve yield, as well as improving quality and time-to-market. OLEDSOLAR aimed to tackle these challenges by developing several innovative manufacturing process improvements for critical steps in the production of opto-electronic devices including OLEDs, OPV and CIGS solar cells.
In OLEDSOLAR we scaled up innovative characterization and control processes to be tested on pilot lines and implemented on existing production lines. This was accomplished through a combination of quality control and functional testing measurements using innovative systems and sensors. Recycling and re-use strategies were also developed allowing resource efficiency and the reduction of high value product wastes. Automation and advanced processing software was pursued for overall control and monitoring of roll-to-roll (R2R) and sheet-to-sheet (S2S) manufacturing process.
OLEDSOLAR was a multidisciplinary team of leading RTOs and industries in this field which fostered a combined effort to innovate this field of next generation electronics mass production. As its legacy, the project not only improved processes on the production lines of end users, such as ASCA, INURU, and DTF, but also saw long term improvements to pilot/testing lines at Coatema, SMIT, VTT, CSEM, Fraunhofer, SAL, and TNO.
