Light‐emitting devices for wearable flexible displays

Abstract

Light‐emitting devices have potential applications in functional and ‘intelligent’ textiles and clothing. Much research work has been conducted on electroluminescent devices based on small organic molecules and polymers due to their potential application in new generation displays. An overview is presented of progress in the development of organic and polymer light‐emitting devices. The fabrication processes, materials and methods of improving their performance are reviewed. Attention is given to the potential application of flexible displays and the patterning method for producing a full colour display. Analytical methods are also discussed.

Effect of Fabric Integration on the Physical and Optical Performance of Electroluminescent Fibers for Lighted Textile Applications

“…Within this smart fabric field, light emitting fibers are garnering great attention for applications in fashion, entertainment, optical physiological monitoring, safety lighting in garments, and automotive and aircraft interior lighting [1]. The integration of electronics and textiles has typically been accomplished by mounting prefabricated devices into garments [2,3] and incorporating discrete components (e.g., sensors, batteries, controller chips) with laminated or knit conducting interconnects [4,5] that compromise the most desirable characteristics of the textile including conformability, softness, strength, and washability. Therefore, the smart fabric arena is rapidly pushing towards fabric-integrated electronic systems and fibers and fabric structures exhibiting electro-optic properties [6,7].…”