Light Emitting, Photovoltaic or Other Electronic Apparatus and System

• Published in: NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI). Misc. Resources
• Main Authors: Ray, William Johnstone, Lowenthal, Mark D, Shotton, Neil O, Blanchard, Richard A, Lewandowski, Mark Allan, Fuller, Kirk A, Frazier, Donald Odell
• Format: Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Hampton NASA/Langley Research Center 12.01.2016
• Subjects: Conductors; Diodes; Hemispherical shells; Lenses; Organic light emitting diodes; Polymers; Substrates

The present invention provides an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device comprised of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating apparatus comprising photovoltaic diodes, which may be created through a printing process, using a semiconductor or other substrate particle ink or suspension and using a lens particle ink or suspension. An exemplary apparatus comprises a base; at least one first conductor; a plurality of substantially spherical or optically resonant diodes coupled to the at least one first conductor; at least one second conductor coupled to the plurality of diodes; and a plurality of substantially spherical lenses suspended in a polymer attached or deposited over the diodes. The lenses and the suspending polymer have different indices of refraction. In some embodiments, the lenses and diodes have a ratio of mean diameters or lengths between about 10:1 and 2:1. The diodes may be LEDs or photovoltaic diodes, and in some embodiments, have a junction formed at least partially as a hemispherical shell or cap.