ntum dots are nanometer-scale "boxes" that selectively hold or release electrons. The latest MIT QD-OLED contains only a single layer of quantum dots sandwiched between two organic thin films. Previous QD-OLEDs used any- where from 10 to 20 film layers. The researchers have created QD-OLEDs over a 1-cm2 area, although the same principle could be used to make larger components. The MIT team's method of combining organic and inorganic materials could also pave the way for new technologies and enhance understanding of the physics of these materials. Besides allowing the creation of extraordinar- ily thin, bright flat-panel displays, the QD-OLEDs may also be used to cali- brate wavelengths for scientific purposes, generate wavelengths visible only to robot eyes or to "miniaturize scientific equipment in ways we haven't yet imag- lined," says Moungi Bawendi, an MIT chemistry professor. The QD-OLEDs created in the study have a 25-fold improvement in lumi- nescent power efficiency over previous QD-OLEDs. The researchers note that in time the devices may be made even more efficient and be able to achieve THE CRITICAL LAST INCH-INPUT AND OUTPUT TECHNOLOGIES even higher color saturation. "One of the goals is to demonstrate a display that is stable, simple to produce, flat, high-resolution and that uses minimal power," says Vladimir Bulovic, an assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science at MIT. The MIT researchers were inspired by advances in completely OLED tech- nology. OLEDs, which can be used to create TVs or computer screens only a fraction of an inch thick with the same brightness as LCDs, are now making their way into commercial electronic devices. The MIT group envisions that QD-OLEDs will in time become complementary to OLEDs because they can be built on the same electronic platforms with compatible manufacturing methods. The QD-OLED research is funded by the National Science Foundation and Universal Display Corp., an OLED technology developer located in Ewing, New Jersey. 9.10 FINDING INFOR