OLED the future of roof lights

Roof lights of the future may be coated with an organic light emitting diode (OLED) layer, it has been suggested.

OLED panels have some properties which could make them ideal for advancing roof light technology, according to Osram Opto Semiconductors.

Dr Bernhard Stapp, head of solid-state lighting at the firm, says: "In the future it will be possible to use OLEDs as flexible or transparent light sources.

"A transparent OLED over a window in a roof would be able to allow natural light in during the day and provide illumination for the room at night."

The company adds that one of the more unique characteristics of OLED panels is that they generate light across their entire surface, rather than from individual points.

Research conducted by Princeton University previously noted that the panels allow up to 70 per cent of visible light through but less than five per cent of light at ultra-violet frequencies, meaning they could be used to prevent such rays from entering a property.