Embracing the organics world - p591

doi:10.1038/nmat3707

Mature fabrication technologies and a healthy research and development environment promise a glowing future for organic semiconductors.

Full text - Embracing the organics world | PDF (167 KB) - Embracing the organics world

Organic light-emitting diodes: Bright design - pp597–598

Chris Groves

doi:10.1038/nmat3688

In all likelihood, cheap and bright white organic light-emitting diodes will someday light up our homes. Three-dimensional models can now simulate the dynamics of charges and excitons governing the operation of these light sources and predict their performance with molecular precision.

Full text - Organic light-emitting diodes: Bright design | PDF (271 KB) - Organic light-emitting diodes: Bright design

Organic semiconductors: Made to order - pp598 - 600

Antonio Facchetti

doi:10.1038/nmat3686

Fabricating thin films of organic semiconductors that have molecular order across large areas has proved challenging. Now, three complementary approaches — molecular design, fluid-flow control and the use of nucleating agents — offer unprecedented opportunities for next-generation optoelectronic applications.

Full Text - Organic semiconductorsMade to order | PDF (381 KB) - Organic semiconductorsMade to order

Solution-processed organic spin–charge converter - pp622 - 627

Kazuya Ando, Shun Watanabe, Sebastian Mooser, Eiji Saitoh & Henning Sirringhaus

doi:10.1038/nmat3634

The conversion of a spin current into an electric signal is known as the inverse spin Hall effect, and is expected to enable the full potential of spintronic devices to be realized. Although the effect has been extensively studied in inorganic metals and semiconductors, it is now shown also to occur in a solution-processed organic polymer placed in proximity to a magnetic insulator.

First Paragraph - Solution-processed organic spin–charge converter | Full Text - Solution-processed organic spin–charge converter | PDF (889 KB) - Solution-processed organic spin–charge converter

Microstructure formation in molecular and polymer semiconductors assisted by nucleation agents - pp628 - 633

Neil D. Treat, Jennifer A. Nekuda Malik, Obadiah Reid, Liyang Yu, Christopher G. Shuttle, Garry Rumbles, Craig J. Hawker, Michael L. Chabinyc, Paul Smith & Natalie Stingelin

doi:10.1038/nmat3655

Difficulties in controlling the nucleation and growth of thin films of organic semiconductors have impaired progress in organic electronics. Now, efficient control of the crystallite nucleation and microstructure of a broad range of organic semiconductors without detriment to their electronic properties has been achieved through the addition of small quantities of additives—a widely used strategy in bulk polymer crystallization.

First Paragraph - Microstructure formation in molecular and polymer semiconductors assisted by nucleation agents | Full Text - Microstructure formation in molecular and polymer semiconductors assisted by nucleation agents | PDF (1,032 KB) - Microstructure formation in molecular and polymer semiconductors assisted by nucleation agents

Molecular-scale simulation of electroluminescence in a multilayer white organic light-emitting diode - pp652 - 658

Murat Mesta, Marco Carvelli, Rein J. de Vries, Harm van Eersel, Jeroen J. M. van der Holst, Matthias Schober, Mauro Furno, Björn Lüssem, Karl Leo, Peter Loebl, Reinder Coehoorn & Peter A. Bobbert

doi:10.1038/nmat3622

The variety of electronic processes occurring within an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) make the prediction of their emission characteristics problematic. It is now shown that all the relevant processes occurring in a stacked OLED can be modelled down to the molecular scale, in turn leading to accurate emission profiles.

Abstract - Molecular-scale simulation of electroluminescence in a multilayer white organic light-emitting diode | Full Text - Molecular-scale simulation of electroluminescence in a multilayer white organic light-emitting diode | PDF (473 KB) - Molecular-scale simulation of electroluminescence in a multilayer white organic light-emitting diode

A molecular design principle of lyotropic liquid-crystalline conjugated polymers with directed alignment capability for plastic electronics - pp659 - 664

Bong-Gi Kim, Eun Jeong Jeong, Jong Won Chung, Sungbaek Seo, Bonwon Koo & Jinsang Kim

doi:10.1038/nmat3595

The molecular alignment and order of conjugated polymers within organic electronic devices is an important consideration for the enhancement of device performance. Now, some design rules are revealed that promote the directed alignment of the polymers and result in the fabrication of well-aligned films with highly anisotropic carrier mobilities.

Abstract - A molecular design principle of lyotropic liquid-crystalline conjugated polymers with directed alignment capability for plastic electronics | Full Text - A molecular design principle of lyotropic liquid-crystalline conjugated polymers with directed alignment capability for plastic electronics | PDF (977 KB) - A molecular design principle of lyotropic liquid-crystalline conjugated polymers with directed alignment capability for plastic electronics

Solution coating of large-area organic semiconductor thin films with aligned single-crystalline domains - pp665 - 671

Ying Diao, Benjamin C-K. Tee, Gaurav Giri, Jie Xu, Do Hwan Kim, Hector A. Becerril, Randall M. Stoltenberg, Tae Hoon Lee, Gi Xue, Stefan C. B. Mannsfeld & Zhenan Bao

doi:10.1038/nmat3650

Solution printing of organic semiconductors could in principle be scaled to industrial needs, yet attaining aligned single-crystals directly with this method has been challenging. By using a micropillar-patterned printing blade designed to enhance the control of crystal nucleation and growth, thin films of macroscopic, highly aligned single crystals of organic semiconductors can now be fabricated.

Abstract - Solution coating of large-area organic semiconductor thin films with aligned single-crystalline domains | Full Text - Solution coating of large-area organic semiconductor thin films with aligned single-crystalline domains | PDF (1,695 KB) - Solution coating of large-area organic semiconductor thin films with aligned single-crystalline domains

A transparent organic transistor structure for bidirectional stimulation and recording of primary neurons - pp672 - 680

Valentina Benfenati, Stefano Toffanin, Simone Bonetti, Guido Turatti, Assunta Pistone, Michela Chiappalone, Anna Sagnella, Andrea Stefani, Gianluca Generali, Giampiero Ruani, Davide Saguatti, Roberto Zamboni & Michele Muccini

doi:10.1038/nmat3630

A transparent organic field-effect transistor allows the stimulation and recording of the bioelectrical activity of primary neural cells. The cells grow, differentiate and function on the device, which then provides the electrical stimulation, and enables the recording of extracellular current and optical imaging of the modulation of neuronal membrane potential.

Abstract - A transparent organic transistor structure for bidirectional stimulation and recording of primary neurons | Full Text - A transparent organic transistor structure for bidirectional stimulation and recording of primary neurons | PDF (1,285 KB) - A transparent organic transistor structure for bidirectional stimulation and recording of primary neurons