MAS CAAD ETHZ 2010-2011 ยท ITA(Institute of Technology in Architecture), Faculty of Architecture ETH Zurich » Light http://www.mas.caad.arch.ethz.ch/mas1011 ETHZ D-ARCH CAAD MAS Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:00:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 M6: EXPERIMENT: DIY EL SCREEN http://www.mas.caad.arch.ethz.ch/mas1011/?p=2491 http://www.mas.caad.arch.ethz.ch/mas1011/?p=2491#comments Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:39:58 +0000 http://www.mas.caad.arch.ethz.ch/mas1011//?p=2491 This first experiment aimed to understand how do an Electroluminescent display works. Electroluminescence is a direct conversion of electric energy to light, and it happens when a solid phosphor is subjected to an strong alternating electric field, typically 90VAC @ 500Hz. 

This is how it works:

– The copper precipitates to form nanocrystals of copper sulfide. These enhance the strength of the electric field in the phosphor.
– The zinc sulfide and silver form a semiconductor matrix.
– When a positive field is applied, holes enter the matrix; when a negative field is applied, electrons enter the matrix.
– Light is produced when electrons and holes recombine on a silver atom in the matrix.

There are four basic components inside an Electroluminescent display:

1. Transparent, conductive electrode
2. Phosphor
3. Dielectric (Insulator)
4. Non-transparent, conductive electrode

Components diagram:

For more information about this process visit:
http://sites.google.com/site/elen4193/

And this is us, making some screens:

Placing the film for the screen

Applying the second dielectric layer

The last layer, silver

Waiting for it to dry

EL screens working

 

Step by step video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

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