Architectural Window with Built-In QLED Lighting
Embodiments of the present application relate to the arrangement of quantum dot optics on architectural windows. An illumination device includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a polymer layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The polymer layer includes a plurality of quantum dots. The first conductive layer, the polymer layer, and the second conductive layer form a layer stack disposed on a surface of a window pane.
1 . An illumination device, comprising:
a first conductive layer;
a second conductive layer; and
a polymer layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the polymer layer comprising a plurality of quantum dots,
wherein the first conductive layer, the polymer layer, and the second conductive layer are configured to form a layer stack disposed on a surface of a window pane.
2 . The illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the layer stack is disposed within a substantially inert atmosphere.
3 . The illumination device of claim 2 , wherein the substantially inert atmosphere exists between the window pane and a second window pane oriented substantially parallel with the window pane, and separated from the window pane by a given distance.
4 . The illumination device of claim 3 , further comprising an anode contact configured to electrically contact the first conductive layer, and a cathode contact configured to electrically contact the second conductive layer, wherein an outer edge of the window pane and the second window pane is covered by a sash, and wherein the anode contact and the cathode contact are disposed behind the sash.
5 . The illumination device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more photovoltaic cells configured to convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy; and a storage device configured to store the electrical energy.
6 . The illumination device of claim 5 , wherein the storage device is configured to provide the electrical energy as a voltage between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer of the illumination device.
7 . The illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of quantum dots comprise zinc selenide (ZnSe) quantum dots and indium phosphide (InP) quantum dots.
8 . The illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer each comprise indium tin oxide (ITO) or a nanowire mesh.
9 . The illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the layer stack is segmented into a plurality of layer stacks, each of the plurality of layer stacks having a polymer layer with quantum dots that emit a different peak wavelength of light than any of the quantum dots included in other ones of the plurality of layer stacks.
10 . The illumination device of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of layer stacks are arranged as concentric strips on the surface of the window pane.
11 . The illumination device of claim 1 , further comprising a first transport layer configured to facilitate the transport of electrons from the first conductive layer to the polymer layer, and a second transport layer configured to facilitate the transport of holes from the second conductive layer to the polymer layer.
12 . A luminescent window, comprising:
a first glass pane;
a second glass pane oriented substantially parallel with the first glass pane, and separated from the first glass pane by a given distance;
a QLED device comprising:
a first conductive layer,
a second conductive layer, and
a polymer layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the polymer layer comprising a plurality of quantum dots,
wherein the QLED device is disposed on a surface of the first glass pane or a surface of the second glass pane, such that the QLED device is between the first glass pane and the second glass pane.
13 . The luminescent window of claim 12 , wherein the space between the first glass pane and the second glass pane comprises a substantially inert atmosphere.
14 . The luminescent window of claim 13 , further comprising an anode contact configured to electrically contact the first conductive layer, and a cathode contact configured to electrically contact the second conductive layer, wherein an outer edge of the first glass pane and the second glass pane is covered by a sash, and wherein the anode contact and the cathode contact are disposed behind the sash.
15 . The luminescent window of claim 12 , further comprising one or more photovoltaic cells configured to convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy; and a storage device configured to store the electrical energy.
16 . The luminescent window of claim 15 , wherein the storage device is configured to provide the electrical energy as a voltage to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer of the illumination device.
17 . The luminescent window of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of quantum dots comprise zinc selenide (ZnSe) quantum dots and indium phosphide (InP) quantum dots.
18 . The luminescent window of claim 12 , wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer each comprise indium tin oxide (ITO) or a nanowire mesh.
19 . The luminescent window of claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of QLED devices each having a polymer layer with quantum dots that emit a different peak wavelength of light than any of the quantum dots included in other ones of the plurality of QLED devices.
20 . The luminescent window of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of QLED devices are arranged as concentric strips on the surface of the first glass pane or the surface of the second glass pane.