W2 ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING Introduces OLED Prototypes At 2009 Lightfair International Offers Vision Into the Future of Architectural Lighting
NEW YORK CITY---Providing an insightful look at energy efficient, sustainable products that represent the future of architectural lighting, W2 ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING has introduced innovative OLED fixture prototypes at the 2009 Lightfair International. W2 Architectural Lighting, a division of WAC Lighting, is a leading manufacturer and designer of specification grade products for the architectural markets that develops nearly all of its products in the family owned, ISO 9001-certified manufacturing campus with in-house UL approved testing labs.
W2 ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING unveiled an OLED mini chandelier and an OLED wall sconce. The OLED Wall Sconce features six color changeable three-inch OLEDs. The mini chandelier uses eight colorful, transparent, one-inch OLEDs. The power consumption is only 0.18-watt for each OLED, and together with the case, the thickness is just two millimeters.
According to Shelley Wang, President of W2 ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING, "Our OLED prototypes reflect WAC's commitment to 'Responsible Lighting' and sustainable, energy efficient lighting. These OLED prototypes attracted a great deal of attention at Lightfair and we realize that a large number of designers and specifiers are very excited to see us take OLEDs to the next level.
"Many designers and specifiers wanted to know how long it would take for WAC to integrate OLED technology into viable lighting products," continued Ms. Wang. "They loved the transparency of the panels, the unique quality, the dimmability, the sustainability, and operation without a heat sink. Specifiers touched the panels and were impressed to learn that the fixtures were operating at room temperature. OLED is a flat light source and heat dissipation is more efficient, in contrast to heat accumulation of LED (point-source). The panels are energy efficient, thus they turn energy to light instead of heat."
An OLED (Organic Light Emitting Device or Organic Light Emitting Diode) features a thin film display technology that began to appear in cell phones and other small-screen applications in early 2000. OLED screens consist of a series of organic layers between two electrical contacts (electrodes). OLEDs are monolithic, with each layer deposited on the other, creating a single unit. Commonly constructed on glass, OLEDs can also be fabricated on plastic and other flexible films.
OLEDs offer bright, colorful images with a wide viewing angle, low power, and high contrast ratio. They can also be made transparent, enabling them to function in heads-up displays and even as window shades that react to sunlight. OLEDs do not need backlights, and screens can be made ultra thin. OLED's color, speed, thinness, transparency and flexibility (see roll-up illustration below) make it a very versatile display technology.
Ms. Wang added, "Using OLED for lighting application is still in the infancy stage. Our research scientists are exploring the technology and anticipating rapid progress in commercial applications, in the years to come."
About W2 ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING
W2 ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING offers a wide range of products: the “Precision Track Group,” “The "Norfolk Series," which offers architectural styled decorative luminaires; and “Flexrail2” is a 2-circuit, line voltage bendable rail system.
W2 ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING utilizes WAC Lighting Company's extensive manufacturing and engineering capabilities in its ISO 9001-certified, production facilities in China. Product development initiates from corporate headquarters in New York through the involvement of leading design professionals for both the aesthetics and engineering. The division shares WAC's west coast distribution center and offices in City of Industry, Calif., and corporate headquarters and east coast distribution center in Garden City, NY.
W2 Architectural Lighting Headquarters is based at 615 South Street, Garden City, New York 11530 (which also is the Home Office for WAC Lighting). The phone is 1.866.788.2100, and the fax is 1.516-393.3084. The website is www.W2lighting.com.