Electrochemical light-emitting devices
US5682043A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10K50/135
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Electrochemical light emitting devices are disclosed which include a composite material in contact with two electrodes. The composite material is an admixture of ionic species and an `immobile` semiconductor. The semiconductor is capable of supporting both p- and n-type carriers and having a doping profile which can be dynamically changed in a controlled fashion through reversible electrochemical oxidation and reduction. Devices having this structure may be used to generate electrochemically induced p-n junctions, thereby providing a new means of exploiting the light emitting properties of such junctions under an applied voltage. Systems and methods for generating useful levels of light employing these devices are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.