Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology have developed a method of using human hair waste to make OLED displays.

This process involves transforming small hair strands into carbon nanodots, uniformly dispersing in a polymer and allowing them to form “nano-islands”. These nano-islands can then be used as an active layer in OLED devices.

“Waste is a big problem,” Associate Professor Prashant Sonar said. “Human hair derived carbon dot-based organic light-emitting devices could be used for some indoor applications such as smart packaging.

The researchers found that the carbon nanodots from human hair were not bright enough for TV screens, but could be used for a range of other flexible OLED screens.

“They could also be used where a small light source is required such as in signs or in smart bands and could be used in medical devices because of the non-toxicity of the material.”

The research team is now looking into whether the same results could be replicated from animal hair.