Category Archives: Flexible Displays

April 4, 2012 — The flat panel display (FPD) market’s growth is pushing next-generation display technologies forward, as profitability worsens for amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film transistors (TFT). New core technologies are needed to improve the performance of TFTs.

Thin film transistor technologies include a-Si, low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS), organic, oxide, and others. Also read: Top 10 LCD manufacturing trends of 2012

Samsung Electronics signed a license on Oxide TFT-related technology, the transistor that achieved rapid development of technology between the last 5 years. Oxide TFT enables large-area and high-resolution displays, which can be applied in advanced products like no-glasses 3D TVs. The materials can be processed at room temperature, enabling flexible displays on a plastic substrate.

Figure. Oxide TFT applications. SOURCE: Displaybank, Oxide TFT Technology and Development Status Report.

Research and development (R&D) investments are being made by major display panel companies in Korea and Japan, with mass production in mind. Expect to see oxide TFT in LCDs, AMOLEDs, and e-paper displays.

Displaybank has issued a report on technology status and related companies’ development trends of the attention-attracting in the industry, Oxide TFT, covering its characteristics, structure and manufacturing process; applications in LCD, OLED, E-paper backplanes; oxide TFT-related companies in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the US; and key issues in the panel manufacturing process, device reliability, and new materials processing. Access the report at http://www.displaybank.com/_eng/research/report_view.html?id=804&cate=1.

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March 30, 2012 — Indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent electrodes are applied to the majority of display and touchscreen panels, as well as solar cells. As electronic devices with displays proliferate, as is the case with smartphones and media tablets, indium market prices are soaring, Displaybank reports. ITO electrodes are prone to cracking, which presents a problem for flexible displays.

Because of these challenges, researchers are developing alternatives to ITO based on graphene, metallic nano wires, conductivity polymers (PEDOT), transparent conductivity oxides (TCO), and carbon nanotubes (CNT). Corporations, universities, and research institutes around the world are fiercely competing to develop advanced technologies to dominate the market. Also read: Transparent conductors, ITO and alternatives

Displaybank Co., Ltd, issues an analysis report of key patents on next-generation transparent electrode technologies — PEDOT, CNT, Graphene, Metal, and TCO — to keep abreast of accelerated technology development competition of next generation transparent electrodes. Raw data were extracted from a total of 552 patents through close analysis and review on PCT patents that have been issued until October 2011. The report screened 490 patents relating to next-generation transparent electrodes, among the abstracted raw data. Displaybank has closely looked into status of Patent Applications per country, technology, and applicant for patent in the field of next generation transparent electrode, targeting 490 patents that have been carefully screened. Among 490 patents, Displaybank also selected 71 key patents and conducted an in-depth analysis of their technologies. Access reports at http://www.displaybank.com.

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March 27, 2012 — Electronic paper company Pervasive Displays Inc. (PDi) has partnered with Energy Micro, provider of low-power, ARM-Cortex-processor-based microcontrollers. The companies will develop and prototype a range of electronic paper displays with low power consumption the main focus.

The partners will bring "low-power, low-energy solutions" to dynamic display applications, said Andrea Marchi, VP of sales for Asia-Pacific, Energy Micro. The aim is to bring electronic paper displays to new application spaces, added Damon Hess, business development VP at Pervasive Displays

The alliance has yielded the EPD SK-2 daughter board for the EFM 32 Gecko developer kit, which facilitates demostrations of PDi’s 2" low-power electronic paper display. Retronix created the EPD SK-2 for Energy Micro developers and bundled it with the EFM 32 Gecko. The 32-bit EFM 32 Gecko microcontroller offers an ARM Cortex-M3 CPU, ultra-low power, real-time energy and power profiling, easy installation, and other features.

The kit can demonstrate display performance for electronic retail, warehouse and logistics, and container labels, as well as industrial applications like kanban cards, factory automation, warehouse picking stalls, and shop floor conveyer systems. Also read: The Future is Flexible

PDi’s ultra-low-power displays are digital dot-matrix on paper, operating for years on coin batteries or from energy-harvesting technology. They reportedly offer good readability and viewing angle, in direct sunlight and high ambient light.

PDi makes e-paper technology display modules for commercial/industrial applicatons. For more information, visit www.pervasivedisplays.com.

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March 23, 2012 — SEMI is seeking papers for technical sessions and presentations at the upcoming SEMICON Europa 2012, October 9-11 in Dresden, Germany. Technical presentation abstracts are due April 30.

SEMICON Europa serves the global microelectronics industry in Europe, with new products and technologies from across the microelectronics supply chain: electronic design automation, device fabrication (wafer processing), and final manufacturing (assembly, packaging, and test). SEMICON Europa also features emerging markets and technologies, including micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), flexible electronics and displays, nano-electronics, solid state lighting (LEDs), and related technologies.

SEMICON Europa 2012 plans to host more than 100 hours of technical sessions and presentations on the design and manufacturing of semiconductors, MEMS, printed and flexible electronics, and related technologies:

• International MEMS/MST Industry Forum, 8-9 October; theme: “New Dynamics in the MEMS Industry”

• Advanced Packaging Conference (APC), 9-10 October; theme “Packaging Solutions for the New Technologies”

• 14th  European Manufacturing Test Conference (EMTC), 10-11 October; theme: “Overcoming New Test Challenges through Cooperation and Innovation”
 
Submit a 200-400 word abstract of original, non-commercial and non-published material to [email protected], indicating in the subject line of the e-mail: “TEST Call for Papers,”  “MEMS Call for Papers” or “Advances Packaging Call for Papers.” The deadline for submitting abstracts is April 30, 2012. Abstracts must clearly detail the nature, scope, content, organization, key points and significance of the proposed presentation.  The abstract should also contain the main author contact details like job title, company, address, telephone and e-mail, with a short biography.

For more information about the conference or submitting abstracts, including guidelines and requirements, visit http://www.semiconeuropa.org/ProgramsandEvents/CallforPapers, or contact Carlos Lee, SEMI Europe, Tel. +32 2 6095334. SEMI is a global industry association serving the nano- and microelectronic manufacturing supply chains.

March 15, 2012 — Rainbow Technology Systems introduced the Panda Coater for high-performance coating of sheet and reel-to-reel (R2R) materials. Applications range from electronics manufacturing lines to digital graphics production. It offers an alternative to coventional roller-in-bath systems, the company reports.

The tool includes a Teknek contact cleaning unit at the entrance to remove particles down to 1um from the substrate prior to coating. The proprietary Smart Coating Dispenser system optimizes coating fluid quanities to avoid waste and mess when coating the substrate. The transparent, scratch-/chemical-resistant coating is applied at 4 to 20um thickness, then cured in an integrated UV tunnel. Thick and thin substrates are processable. The tool automatically senses sheet size (up to 660mm wide) to avoid spillage.

Also read: Roll-to-roll presents flat-panel display sector with new manufacturing option

The circulating coating fluid is gently agitated to ensure a homogenous mix. The fluid reservoir holds 5 liters.

The Panda Coater measures 1 x 1.2m with cleanroom-compatible finishing. It has storage and levelling built-in.

Rainbow Technology Systems (RTS) supplies fine line printing technologies for PCBs and other electronics substrates. For further information please visit www.rainbow-technology.com.

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March 13, 2012 – Marketwire — Engineered films maker UniPixel Inc. (NASDAQ:UNXL) will have Carestream Tollcoating manufacture and distribute its Diamond Guard protective cover films for displays including finger print resistant (FPR), anti-glare (AG), and DGU (Diamond Guard Ultra) Hard Coat versions.

Diamond Guard film is based on UniPixel’s proprietary resins and Carestream Tollcoating’s manufacturing, coating, and converting processes.

Carestream Tollcoating provides high-precision contract coating services and optical grade PET film, specializing in the application of aqueous and solvent coatings on flexible substrates for imaging, printed electronics, display, electronic component, nanotechnology, battery, and other flexible advanced material markets. Unipixel praised its partner’s expertise in solutions preparation, film manufacturing, converting and packaging.

"Several dozen major electronic OEMs and ODMs are currently evaluating and testing Diamond Guard film using product produced both in-house and during the Carestream Tollcoating certification production runs," said UniPixel CEO Reed Killion, noting that some of these evaluation sites are now submitting purchase orders for test piloting purposes, with production-level shipments the next step.

With certification completed, Carestream Tollcoating can offer production capacity of more than 100 million square feet a year.

The premium-grade protective cover films boast visual transparency, scratch resistance, and bubble-free installation. They address a range of consumer markets and applications, from mobile and medical device protective covers to retail signage and the automotive aftermarket.

Carestream Tollcoating, a division of Carestream Health, Inc., is a premium contract coating services provider specializing in the application of aqueous and solvent coatings on flexible substrates for display component, battery component, membrane, medical devices, nanotechnology, imaging products and other flexible advanced materials. Internet: www.tollcoating.com or www.carestream.com.

UniPixel Inc. (NASDAQ:UNXL) delivers performance engineered films to the lighting, display and flexible electronics markets. UniPixel’s high-volume roll-to-roll or continuous flow manufacturing process offers high-fidelity replication of advanced micro-optic structures and surface characteristics over large areas. For further information, visit www.unipixel.com.

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March 8, 2012 — FlexTech Alliance, focused on developing the flexible, printed electronics industry supply chain, appointed its 2012 Governing Board members.

Dr. John Batey has been re-elected as chairman of the Governing Board and Michael Ciesinski was re-appointed president and CEO. Dr. Keith Rollins, Chief Innovation Officer for DuPont Teijin Films US Ltd., has been named vice chairman of the Governing Board. Dr. Rollins will join with Dr. Batey in providing industry direction to FlexTech Alliance on development and deployment of technology and applications for flexible, printed electronics and displays.

Other directors elected were Thomas Edman, Applied Materials, Michael McCreary, E Ink, Malcolm Thompson, MJT & Associates, David Morton, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Frank Caris, dpiX, Jennifer Ernst, Thin Film Electronics ASA, Richard Wilson, Cambridge Display Technology, Wim Vanderpoorten, Cytec, and Michael Dudzik, Lockheed Martin.

Also read: Thin Film Electronics, Lockheed Martin execs join FlexTech Alliance

“Keith’s technical acumen, dedication to strategic planning, and business development experience will provide direction and practical experience in building the flexible, printed electronics industry,” said Dr. Batey, consortium chairman. Dr. Rollins has over 25 years experience in the advanced materials and specialty chemical industries. In his new role as FlexTech Alliance vice chairman, Rollins will share responsibility with John Batey in overseeing the organization’s decisions on policy, program content, and disposition of funds available to the consortium for sponsoring technology-related R&D projects. They will work with the Governing Board and all FlexTech Alliance stakeholders to further the organization’s development in a manner that increases the consortium’s value.

“Flexible, printed electronics is a disruptive technology opening up new markets for displays, lighting, renewable energy and sensor applications among many others,” said Dr. Rollins.  “FlexTech Alliance plays a crucial role in bringing these new technologies from R&D to production. I am excited to have been chosen for a leadership position in the organization that helps turn ideas into reality."

The FlexTech Alliance is devoted to fostering the growth, profitability and success of the electronic display and the flexible, printed electronics supply chain.  More information about the FlexTech Alliance can be found at www.flextech.org.

DuPont Teijin Films is a premier producer of PET and PEN polyester films.  The group specializes in film products and related services for the specialty, industrial, packaging and electronics markets. DuPont Teijin Films is a 50/50 joint venture between DuPont and Teijin.

SEMI has acquired the Plastics Electronics Conference and Exhibition, a move which will help advance the successful commercialization of new products in the field of organic and inorganic large area electronics (OLAE). The Plastics Electronics Conference, organized by a prestigious committee of industry and academic leaders, has co-located with SEMICON Europa since 2010.  Following the acquisition, the organizing committee will serve as a Plastic Electronics Special Interest Group, guiding SEMI activities and services worldwide.

OLAE promises a large market potential of over $50 billion by 2020 according to the Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and several other research organizations. The technology is an answer to many challenges in our society with regard to renewable energy, environment protection, information, entertainment, communication, e-mobility, health and more. OLAE covers five important areas — OLED Lighting, Organic and Inorganic Photovoltaic, OLED Displays, Organic Electronics and Integrated Smart Systems — which all have a similar disruptive technology in common.

 The Plastic Electronics Special Interest Group (PE-SIG) will be governed by distinguished board members from leading industry corporations, research institutes and academia, including executives from BASF, Merck, Technical University of Dresden, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and others. The PE-SIG of SEMI will focus its activities on Roadmaps, Standardization, Industry Research and Statistics, Conferences, Exhibitions and Public Policy worldwide. The 8th edition of the Electronic Conference and Exhibition will be held in conjunction with SEMICON Europa in Dresden (9-11 October 2012) and will be extended to other regions in the future.

 “The SEMI track record of using global industry collaboration, advocacy and standards to expand and optimize major industries such as semiconductors, displays, solar PV, and related technologies will greatly help the emerging OLAE industry to move from lab to fab,” says Dr. Karl Hahn, senior vice-president of BASF and board member of the newly established PE-SIG. “There are substantial synergies between technologies, equipment, materials, and services among SEMI member companies and the rapidly developing OLAE industry,” says Thomas Morrow, head of Emerging Markets at SEMI Headquarters.

March 2, 2012 — The National Physical Laboratory in the UK is leading a new EMRP project on thin film manufacturing metrology for industries such as opto electronics, plastic and printed electronics, displays and lighting, memories and solar cells.

NPL is joined by National Measurement Institutes from across Europe, and other partners. It is a pan-European initiative.

The project aims to create validated and traceable metrology technologies for thin film materials properties, composition, and structure; and for controlling large-area homogeneity and consistency of properties.

The project will develop the necessary metrology to control consistency of thin film processing and improve production quality to reduce costs and time-to-market for new products.

Find out more about the EMRP Thin Films project at http://projects.npl.co.uk/optoelectronic_films/

March 1, 2012 — Dynamic changes in the flat panel display (FPD) industry range from new liquid crystal display (LCD), active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED), touch, and flexible technologies to the emergence of China as the leading consumer and manufacturer of display products. FPD China, a display technology exposition taking place March 20-22 in Shanghai alongside SEMICON China and SOLARCON China, covers the entire industry supply chain with 3 main areas: Equipment, materials and components; Panel and modules; and End products.

FPD China attracts the global top 10 display suppliers, emerging Chinese suppliers, leading global panel makers, and leading consumer brands of China.

Special pavilions will highlight touch and next-generation display technologies, including the latest in 3D and advanced man-machine interfaces. A new Cross-strait AMOLED Industry Forum will feature leading FPD panel makers and suppliers from Taiwan and China.

With a strong partnership between SEMI and SID, FPD China 2012 also features the 2012 China FPD Conference (March 21-22), which provides an international platform for leading FPD industry technologists, analysts, and executives. Highlighted speakers will share their latest knowledge with keynote presentations on March 21:

  • “Technology and Application Outlooks for Small-Middle Size Display” by Jia-Heng Wang, co-chief operating officer and executive vice president of BOE Group
  • “Evolving Glass Solutions Address Challenges in Advanced Display Trends” by Fang Li, president of Corning Display Technologies China
  • “Greener TFT-LCD and Display Panels” by Han-pin Hsieh, professor of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Chiao Tung University (Hsinchu, Taiwan) 
  • “Orientation of China Mobile Display Market” by Qing-Quan Liu, Marketing director of Tianma Micro-electronic

In addition, the FPD Conference includes technical sessions on Next Display Technology; Touch Screen; Naked-Eye 3D; 2 sessions on TFT-LCD; and OLED.

For more information, visit www.fpdchina.org.

SEMI is a global industry association serving the nano- and microelectronic manufacturing supply chains.

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