One problem in developing more efficient organic LED light
bulbs and displays for TVs and phones is that much of the light is polarized in
one direction and thus trapped within the light-emitting diode, or LED.
University of Utah physicists believe they have solved the problem by creating
a new organic molecule that is shaped like rotelle – wagon-wheel pasta – rather
than spaghetti.
The rotelle-shaped molecule – known as a “pi-conjugated
spoked-wheel macrocycle” – acts the opposite of polarizing sunglasses, which
screen out glare reflected off water and other surfaces and allow only direct
sunlight to enter the eyes.