Abstract: Relatively small, electrically isolated segments of LED light sheets are fabricated having an anode terminal and a cathode terminal. The segments contain microscopic printed LEDs that are connected in parallel by two conductive layers sandwiching the LEDs. The top conductive layer is transparent. Separately formed from the light sheet segments is a flexible, large area conductor backplane having a single layer or multiple layers of solid metal strips (traces). The segments are laminated over the backplane's metal pattern to supply power to the segment terminals. An adhesive layer secures the segments to the backplane. The metal pattern may connect the segments in series, or parallel, or form an addressable circuit for a display. The segments may be on a common substrate or physically separated from each other prior to the lamination.

Abstract: LED dies are suspended in an ink and printed on a first support substrate to form a light emitting layer having a light emitting surface emitting primary light, such as blue light. A mixture of a transparent binder, phosphor powder, and transparent glass beads is formed as an ink and printed over the light emitting surface. The mixture forms a wavelength conversion layer when cured. The beads are preferably sized so that the tops of the beads protrude completely through the conversion layer. Some of the primary light passes through the beads with virtually no attenuation or backscattering, and some of the primary light is converted by the phosphor to secondary light. The combination of the secondary light and the primary light passing though the beads may form white light. The overall color is highly controllable by controlling the percentage weight of the beads.

Abstract: A light bulb base includes a power source interface configured to couple the light bulb base to a light bulb socket. It also includes a bulb-coupling interface configured to removably couple the light bulb base to a bulb assembly. A user interface mechanism is also included in the light bulb base, and is operable to control a function of the bulb assembly or the base when the base is coupled to the bulb assembly. The light bulb base may also include a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote control source and/or a controller configured to perform the function.

Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a base assembly configured to fit into a conventional light bulb socket. A separate bulb assembly is configured to interface with the base assembly, making the bulb and base assemblies selectively separable from one another. In some instances, a module configured to be connected to the base assembly provides a convenient means for adding or supplementing functionality to the lighting assembly. At least in some cases, the module is configured to take the place of the bulb assembly on the base assembly, and is configured to provide a separate interface to which the bulb assembly is coupled, such that the module is disposed intermediate the base assembly and the bulb assembly. In some instances, functionality associated with a lighting element of the lighting assembly is included in the base assembly or the bulb assembly.

Abstract: A flexible light sheet includes a bottom conductor layer overlying a flexible substrate. An array of vertical light emitting diodes (VLEDs) is printed as an ink over the bottom conductor layer so that bottom electrodes of the VLEDs electrically contact the bottom conductor layer. A top electrode of the VLEDs is formed of a first transparent conductor layer, and a temporary hydrophobic layer is formed over the first transparent conductor layer. A dielectric material is deposited between the VLEDs but is automatically de-wetted off the hydrophobic layer. The hydrophobic layer is then removed, and a second transparent conductor layer is deposited to electrically contact the top electrode of the VLEDs. The VLEDs can be made less than 10 microns in diameter since no top metal bump electrode is used. The VLEDs are illuminated by a voltage differential between the bottom conductor layer and the second transparent conductor layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a security label comprises a random arrangement of printed LEDs. During fabrication of the label, the LEDs are energized, and the resulting dot pattern is converted into a unique digital first code and stored in a database. The label is then attached to an object to be later authenticated, or the LEDs are printed directly on the object, such as a passport, license, bank note, certificate, etc. For authenticating the object, the LEDs are energized and the dot pattern is converted into a code. The code is compared to the first code stored in the database. If there is a match, the object is authenticated. The label may also have a printed second code associated with the first code, and both codes must match codes stored in the database for authentication. The general shape of the printed pattern may convey the proper orientation of the pattern.

Abstract: A first layer of inorganic first vertical LED dies (VLEDs) of a first color is printed on a conductor surface. A first transparent conductor layer is deposited over the first VLEDs to electrically contact top electrodes of the first VLEDs. An electrically insulated second layer of second VLEDs of a second color is printed over the first transparent conductor layer, and an electrically insulated third layer of third VLEDs of a third color is printed over the first transparent conductor layer. For a color display, the VLEDs are printed in an addressable pixel array. Since the VLEDs are printed as an ink, the overlying VLEDs in a pixel are not vertically aligned, so there is little blockage of light. If the structure is used for general illumination, the VLEDs do not need to be printed in pixel areas.

Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between about 2.5 to 7 microns; a first terminal coupled to the light emitting region on a first side, the first terminal having a height between about 1 to 6 microns; and a second terminal coupled to the light emitting region on a second side opposite the first side, the second terminal having a height between about 1 to 6 microns.

Abstract: A conductive ink may include a nickel component, a polycarboxylic acid component, and a polyol component, the polycarboxylic acid component and the polyol component being reactable to form a polyester component. The polyester component may be formed in situ in the conductive ink from a polyol component and a polycarboxylic acid component. The conductive ink may include a carbon component. The conductive ink may include an additive component. The conductive ink may include nickel flakes, graphene flakes, glutaric acid, and ethylene glycol. The conductive ink may be printed (e.g., screen printed) on a substrate and cured to form a conductive film. A conductive film may include a nickel component and a polyester component.

Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between 2.5 to 7 microns; a plurality of first terminals spaced apart and coupled to the light emitting region peripherally on a first side, each first terminal of the plurality of first terminals having a height between about 0.5 to 2 microns; and one second terminal coupled centrally to a mesa region of the light emitting region on the first side, the second terminal having a height between 1 to 8 microns.

Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary apparatus comprises: a plurality of diodes; at least a trace amount of a first solvent; and a polymeric or resin film at least partially surrounding each diode of the plurality of diodes. Various exemplary diodes have a lateral dimension between about 10 to 50 microns and about 5 to 25 microns in height. Other embodiments may also include a plurality of substantially chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns.

Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary apparatus comprises: a plurality of diodes; at least a trace amount of a first solvent; and a polymeric or resin film at least partially surrounding each diode of the plurality of diodes. Various exemplary diodes have a lateral dimension between about 10 to 50 microns and about 5 to 25 microns in height. Other embodiments may also include a plurality of substantially chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns.

Abstract: In a method for forming a phosphor-converted LED, an array of vertical LEDs is printed over a conductive surface of a substrate such that a bottom electrode of the LEDs ohmically contacts the conductive surface. A dielectric layer then formed over the conductive surface. An electrically conductive phosphor layer is deposited over the dielectric layer and the LEDs to ohmically contact the top surface of the LEDs and connect the LEDs in parallel. The conductive phosphor layer is formed by phosphor particles intermixed with a transparent conductor material. One or more metal contacts over the conductive phosphor layer conduct current through the conductive phosphor layer and the LEDs to illuminate the LEDs. A portion of light generated by the LED leaks through the conductive phosphor layer, and the combination of the LED light and phosphor light creates a composite light.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes a printed current collector layer, where the printed current collector layer includes nickel flakes and a current collector conductive carbon additive. The energy storage device includes a printed electrode layer printed over the current collector layer, where the printed electrode layer includes an ionic liquid and an electrode conductive carbon additive. The ionic liquid can include 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (C2mimBF4). The current collector conductive carbon can include graphene and the electrode conductive carbon additive can include graphite, graphene, and/or carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A laminate capable of emitting light comprises a reflective layer. The reflective layer increases the amount of light output from the laminate. A lighting apparatus containing the improved laminate is also provided.

Abstract: Over a flexible substrate are formed column lines for a display. Over the substrate and column lines are formed a reflective hydrophobic mesh defining pixels. Over the mesh and column lines is printed an LED ink containing microscopic LED dies. The LED ink de-wets from the mesh. The ink is then cured to electrically connect the bottom electrodes of the LEDs to the column lines within the openings (cells) of the mesh. A dielectric then encapsulates the LEDs while exposing the top electrodes of the LEDs. Transparent row lines are then formed along the rows of the mesh to electrically contact the top electrodes in each row. The LEDs within any cell can be turned on by address in a pair of row and column lines. Phosphor dots may be printed to over blue-emitting LEDs to create red, green, and blue sub-pixels for a full color display.

Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary method of fabricating an electronic device comprises: depositing one or more first conductors; and depositing a plurality of diodes suspended in a mixture of a first solvent and a viscosity modifier. Various exemplary diodes have a lateral dimension between about 10 to 50 microns and about 5 to 25 microns in height. Other embodiments may also include a plurality of substantially chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns.

Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary method of making a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises: adding a viscosity modifier to a plurality of diodes in a first solvent; and mixing the plurality of diodes, the first solvent and the viscosity modifier to form the liquid or gel suspension of the plurality of diodes. Various exemplary diodes have a lateral dimension between about 10 to 50 microns and about 5 to 25 microns in height. Other embodiments may also include a plurality of substantially chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns.

Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. In other exemplary embodiments a second solvent is also included, and the composition has a viscosity substantially between about 100 cps and about 25,000 cps at about 25° C. In an exemplary embodiment, a composition comprises: a plurality of diodes or other two-terminal integrated circuits; one or more solvents comprising about 15% to 99.9% of any of N-propanol, isopropanol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, N-octanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, cyclohexanol, and mixtures thereof; a viscosity modifier comprising about 0.10% to 2.5% methoxy propyl methylcellulose resin or hydroxy propyl methylcellulose resin or mixtures thereof; and about 0.01% to 2.5% of a plurality of substantially optically transparent and chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device comprised of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating apparatus comprising photovoltaic diodes, which may be created through a printing process, using a semiconductor or other substrate particle ink or suspension and using a lens particle ink or suspension. An exemplary apparatus comprises a base; at least one first conductor; a plurality of diodes coupled to the at least one first conductor; at least one second conductor coupled to the plurality of diodes; and a plurality of lenses suspended in a polymer deposited or attached over the diodes. The lenses and the suspending polymer have different indices of refraction. In some embodiments, the lenses and diodes are substantially spherical, and have a ratio of mean diameters or lengths between about 10:1 and 2:1. The diodes may be LEDs or photovoltaic diodes, and in some embodiments, have a junction formed at least partially as a hemispherical shell or cap.