American Technicians Develop Mini-LEDs Measuring Only 100 Millionths of a Meter
LED technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, from vehicle taillights to flashlights and control displays. Now, American technicians have developed a miniaturized version of the LED, measuring only 100 millionths of a meter. This new technology offers a wide range of potential applications, including extremely flat monitors and displays, glowing surgical gloves, and even fashionable glowing tattoos.
John Rogers and his colleagues at the University of Illinois have successfully reduced the size of LEDs to the point where they can be mounted on flexible rubber. To create these mini-LEDs, the scientists used a special pressure process to compress aluminum gallium arsenide and gallium indium phosphide semiconductors onto a rubber-like plastic mat. Tiny electrodes were then used to make the mini-LEDs light up. Even extreme stretching of the rubber mat did not damage the small LEDs or the electronic contacts.
In addition to the numerous potential applications, Rogers and his team are particularly excited about the biomedical possibilities. Glowing surgical gloves could provide an additional and very helpful light source during operations. The same pressure process used to create the mini-LEDs could also be used to create light sensors that could be implanted in patients for regular blood sugar level monitoring. While only red mini-LEDs currently exist, Rogers and his colleagues plan to develop blue, green, and yellow mini-LEDs in the near future.
This new technology could revolutionize the way we use LEDs, offering a wide range of possibilities for both practical and aesthetic applications. The miniaturized size and flexibility of these LEDs make them ideal for a variety of uses, from medical to fashion. As the technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more exciting applications emerge.
