Heliatek Founders Nominated for the 2011 Deutscher Zukunftspreis

The Dresden scientists, Dr. Martin Pfeiffer (CTO, Heliatek GmbH), Prof. Karl Leo (Institute Director IAPP, TU Dresden), and Dr. Jan Blochwitz-Nimoth (CSO, Novaled AG) have been nominated for the 2011 Deutscher Zukunftspreis (German Future Prize) for their joint achievements in the research of organic semiconductors. This was announced at the “IdeenExpo” in Hanover on Aug. 27 in the presence of the German Federal President Christian Wulff.

The three scientists succeeded in adapting organic semiconductors for use in a wide range of products, creating the basis for innovative applications in displays, lighting and photovoltaics that were previously considered impossible. In the future, organic semiconductors could replace today’s commonly used crystalline materials (e.g., silicon) in numerous electronic devices, opening up entirely new areas of application. Advantages include fabrication of transistors, light-emitting diodes, or solar cells with unusual or special properties – as thin, flexible and transparent films of almost any size.

One result of their collective research work was the establishment of Heliatek GmbH in 2006 as a joint spin-off of the Technical University of Dresden (IAPP) and the University of Ulm. Heliatek uses proprietary tandem technology to develop organic solar cells from “small molecules,” organic dyes chemically synthesized from hydrocarbons. The company is currently constructing the world’s first production line for the roll-to-roll fabrication of flexible, organic solar cells using vacuum deposition of small molecules.

“Organic photovoltaics has the potential to open up completely new applications in the field of photovoltaics thanks to its extraordinary properties. This will give solar energy the chance to establish itself as a widespread, commonplace technology in the coming years, ” says Dr. Pfeiffer, co-founder and CTO of Heliatek. Thanks to their excellent yields, the flexible, lightweight, and, on request, transparent panels can be used in diverse industries. For example, transparent panels integrated into sunroofs could be used to cool cars on hot days. Or, lightweight, thin panels sewn into bags could supply cell phones or MP3 players with green power.

Dr. Pfeiffer’s interest in researching organic electronics began during a lesson in high school.

“During geography class, the various ways of generating energy were being discussed. There was coal, nuclear, oil – the traditional methods. And there was a tenet we all had to learn. It basically said that alternative energies such as wind and sun existed, but that they could only ever play a small, supplemental role in generating power. This was simply stated as fact, without proper justification. That bothered me, and from then on I wanted to know more about it. As soon as I had a real opportunity to work in this field, I jumped on it immediately,” explained Dr. Pfeiffer.

Dr. Pfeiffer began researching organic semiconductors and their doping more than 15 years ago. Over time, his colleagues Prof. Leo and Dr. Blochwitz-Nimoth have come to share Dr. Pfeiffer’s enthusiasm for the significance of the concept. Together, they then carried out fundamental research in organic electronics and soon founded Novaled AG, the current technology leader in the OLED industry. Heliatek GmbH also quickly established itself as the technology leader in the field of organic photovoltaics based on small molecules.

The Deutscher Zukunftspreis will be presented by the German Federal President Christian Wulff in Berlin, Germany, on Dec.14, 2011.