Scientists develop next-generation transparent electrode

SEOUL, July 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korean and U.S. scientists have jointly developed a transparent electrode that can be used in next generation light emitting diodes (LEDs), solar cells and display panels, the government said Monday.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the team made up of researchers from Korea University and the Ames Laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy succeeded in making the electrode that is also bendable and highly conductive.
Conventional electrodes regulate the flow of electric current to a display or power cell, but because conventional products are made out of metal, they naturally absorb light converted from electricity and cause an overall drop in efficiency.
Such a problem can only be overcome with an electrode that is transparent and does not absorb light.
The new electrode was made by using a nanoscale metallic periodic patterning method that also employs so-called gold grid films to enhance conductivity, the ministry said.
"The new electrode shows high visible light transmission and has superior electrical conductivity compared to standard indium tin oxide coated glass," said Kim Tae-geun, an electrical engineering professor at Korea University.
Tests showed that the new material can overcome the high cost and lack of strength of indium tin oxide glass-based electrodes, the lead researcher added.
"Because it is flexible, the new electrode can be fixed on curved surfaces of solar cells, LEDs and displays," he said.
The joint research received funding from the South Korean government and its results were published in last month's issue of the Advanced Materials journal.
yonngong@yna.co.kr