 LG Philips developed the first full-color flexible active matrix organic LED in cooperation with Universal Display. (Photo: LG Philips) |
October 18, 2007 — Universal Display Corp.), which develops organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology, has been awarded a $935,000 contract extension by the U.S. Army Communication Electronics Research and Development Engineering Center (CERDEC), the company announced.
The extension builds on an existing Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase III grant with CERDEC to develop flexible, active-matrix OLED display technology for demonstration in a prototype wrist-based communications device. Screens based on UDC’s technology are composed of several ultrathin films of special molecules that glow when excited by an electric current.
Development efforts under the contract extension will focus on combining Universal Display’s PHOLED (phosphorescent OLED) technology with companion technology by LG Philips LCD Co. Ltd. Bringing LPL to the program as a development partner marks an important step toward the commercialization of flexible OLED display products, Universal Display announced in a news release.
In May, the two companies showcased the world’s first high-resolution AMOLED display built on flexible metal foil. Building on this initial demonstration, Universal Display and LPL plan to work on a prototype with key design and performance enhancements under this program.
L-3 Communications Display Systems, which supplies ruggedized display systems for military uses, will design and integrate its advanced communications components with the QVGA, full-color, flexible AMOLED (“active matrix” OLED) display into the prototype wrist-mounted communications device for delivery to CERDEC.
Universal Display was awarded Phase III of the SBIR grant by CERDEC in January 2006. The Company’s work with the U.S. Department of Defense also includes flexible AMOLED display development for the U.S. Army Research Laboratories (ARL), the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force Research Laboratories.