Category Archives: Touch Technologies

August 7, 2012 — Brown University developed a simpler, cheaper, solution-based manufacturing process for indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive films used in displays and solar cell manufacturing.

Brown researchers, with support from ATMI Inc., reported the best-ever transparency and conductivity performance for an ITO made using a chemical solution.

  

Figure. Electron microscopy (cross-section, left, and facing view) shows an even distribution of indium titanium oxide nanocrystals essential for a highly conductive, transparent thin film. Credit: Sun Lab/Brown University.

The ITO offers high enough performance for applications in resistive touch screens, said Jonghun Lee, a Brown chemistry graduate student. The films allow 93% of light to pass through, deposited at 146nm thick. Their transparency is comparable to the glass substrate.

The team also made their films on top of bendable polyimide, showing that it could potentially be useful for making flexible display technologies.

To make the films, the team synthesized nanoscale ITO crystals in a solution. Then they made a flat and smooth film by spin casting the solution on a glass plate. Coated plates were then annealed for several hours (ideal anneal time was 6 hours) and then tested their transparency and conductivity.

The materials research was key to enable the simple spin-casting assembly method, said Shouheng Sun, professor of chemistry at Brown. The best chemicals turned out to be indium acetylacetonate and tin bis(acetylacetonate)dichloride. Researchers synthesized ITO nanocrystals that had a narrow range of sizes, about 11nm in diameter. That consistency meant that when the crystals arranged themselves in the thin films, they neither bunched together in clumps, nor stayed too far apart. The result was a dense but evenly distributed array of crystals, which promotes conductivity.

By varying the thickness and the tin content (between 5 and 10%), researchers varied the transparency and resistance for the best results. The key to a smooth, consistent film was the uniform size of ITO nanocrystals. The researchers settled on a diameter of around 11nm. “By controlling the concentration of the nanocrystal solution, we could control the thickness of the film from 30 to 140nm,” Lee said.

The team will now work on matching the conductivity performance of films made by sputtering, while maintaining the cost and process efficiency benefits of solution-based deposition, according to Melissa Petruska, senior scientist at ATMI.

In new experiments, the team plans to further drive down electrical resistance, to reduce the length of time the films need to anneal, and to lay down fine patterns of their films, rather than continuous sheets, using inkjet or roll-to-roll printing.

Results are published in a paper posted online Aug. 1 by the Journal of the American Chemical Society. In addition to Sun and Lee, the other Brown authors are Sunghwan Lee, Guanglai Li and David Paine. Petruska is a co-author on the paper. ATMI provided project funding and engineering assistance for the research.

Learn more at www.brown.edu.

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August 6, 2012 – BUSINESS WIRE — The touch panel display industry is up against low profit margins and increased competition for business, as well as new touch sensor technologies on the scene in 2012, according to a report offered by Research and Markets.

Squeezed by counterparts from South Korea, the Japanese LCD industry has witnessed a dramatic decline for the past few years, despite attempts from the government to save it. The momentous event of the small and medium-sized display industry in 2011 was the merging of Toshiba, Hitachi and Sony, Japan’s three leading TFT-LCD manufacturers, into one businesss named Japan Display, which went into formal operation in April 2012. In the future, Panasonic’s TFT-LCD business is likely to be incorporated into the company.

For most touch panel manufacturers, 2011 to 2012 is bad to worse. In H2 2011, capacitive touch panel capacity was largely put into production, accompanied by plunged prices. All touch panel makers except TPK and Wintek all showed declines in revenue. Entering 2012, the situation became worse, with small and medium-sized manufacturers in Taiwan seeing capacity between 20 and 40%. Even Wintek, Apple’s main supplier, had gross margin below 1% in Q4 2011– many peers went negative.

Also read: Touchscreen trends: New touch technologies growing and application trends

In 2012, the touch panel industry’s patterning is changing. On-cell and in-cell technologies are presenting a challenge to traditional manufacturers. On-cell touch sensors are mainly used in AMOLED displays.

Research and Markets added the report "Global and Chinese Touch Panel (Including Small- and Medium-sized Display) Industry Report, 2011-2012" to their offering.

Companies mentioned in the report: AUO, AimCore Technology, CPT, Cando, Chimei Innolux, Digitech Systems, EELY, ELK, G-tech Optoelectronics, GiantPlus, HannStar, Hannstouch, ILJIN Display, JTOUCH, Japan Display, LG Display, Lintek, Melfas, Mildex, Mutto Optronics, NISSHA Printing, SMAC, SMD, Sharp, Shenzhen Laibao Hi-tech, Shenzhen Lens, Shenzhen O-Film Tech, TPK, Tianma Micro-electronics, Transtouch Technology, Truly International, Wuhu Token Sciences, and Young Fast.

For more information, visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/qv9mbb/global_and_chinese

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Charles Annis, DisplaySearch, reports on new thin glass products for lighter, thinner, and flexible displays. The full article is available in the DisplaySearch Monitor publication for July. In this article, thin FPD glass refers to 0.4mm or thinner, while ultra-thin glass means 0.2mm or thinner.

August 3, 2012 — The flat panel display (FPD) industry is continuously researching thinner glass substrates, to reduce the glass volume and weight of displays. Thinner glass substrates can be more expensive despite the lower raw material quantities, due to the engineering work to create them. With time, thinner glass results in lower display manufacturing costs.

Thinner glass is of interest for mobile displays. Ultra-thin substrates are an enabling technology for flexible displays, including flexible active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays, which are on the verge of commercialization. However, DisplaySearch warns that many display fabs are set up to handle glass 0.5mm and thicker, and will need to be retrofitted to process 0.4mm glass, and will need even more handling tools for 0.3mm and thinner.

Corning recently brought its 0.3mm EAGLE XG Slim glass to Gen 6 substrates, targeting mobile displays. The glass avoids or reduces wet etching by hydrofluoric acid for thinning.

Figure. The glass-thinning segment will grow at a 29% CAGR between 2010 and 2015. SOURCE: DisplaySearch, TFT LCD Process Roadmap Report

Corning also presented “Ultra-Slim Flexible Glass Substrates for Display Applications” at the Society for Information Display’s Display Week, this June in Boston, discussing 0.2mm glass that can be rolled up on spools. It can be used as touch panels, cover glass, lighting, color filters, substrate, and encapsulation glass.

Non-alkali glass is the substrate of choice for conventional FPDs, and is desirable for flexible applications. It offers thin form factor with smooth surface quality and high transmission, among other benefits. Polymer substrates are stronger and lighter, but suffer from significantly higher surface roughness and lower optical transmission than glass. Glass also offers a significantly better hermetic seal than polymer substrates, of high interest for AMOLED displays.

Figure 2. Qualities of polymer film versus glass for flexible displays. SOURCE: Corning,“Ultra-Slim Flexible Glass Substrates for Display Applications,” SID 2012.

Glassmakers are developing hybrid substrates that combine polymer films with glass. Their purpose is to overcome the tradeoffs with each of the materials, providing the high quality of glass while adding the strength of polymer films.

To read the full article, including information about AGC’s carrier technology for 100µm glass, register for the DisplaySearch Monitor publication at http://www.displaysearch.com/cps/rde/xchg/displaysearch/hs.xsl/displaysearch_monitor_newsletter_with_fpd_market_news_flash_reports.asp

DisplaySearch LLC, an NPD Group Company, reports and articles can be accessed at www.displaysearch.com

Also read: The view from Display Week 2012: Glass tech at AGC

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August 1, 2012 — NanoMarkets announced a new report on the transparent conductor (TC) market which includes the dominant indium tin oxide (ITO), along with other transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), conductive polymers, silver grids and coatings, copper, carbon nanotubes and graphene and nanocomposite materials of various kinds.

Most firms offering alternatives to ITO focus on the touch-screen sensor market; however, this sector is too small for many of these firms to generate significant revenues.

Also read: Soaring indium costs drive hunt for alternative in transparent electrodes

NanoMarkets believes that the current rapid development of the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display and lighting market could boost the makers of non-ITO TCs. While ITO is widely used in OLEDs it is not well suited to this application. The OLED sector is already beginning to seek alternative TCs.

ITO also may not work well in high-throughput roll-to-roll (R2R) processes used to manufacture flexible displays. ITO cannot be used in rollable displays, due to its material nature. Flexible displays, primed to become a sizable market, could be major contributors to the mainstream adoption of ITO alternatives for TC.

NanoMarkets expects a resurgence in thin-film solar panels for use in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). This will boost firms selling tin oxide (SnO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) materials and there is considerable research activity currently seeking the best dopants for these materials for TC applications.

Silver-based TCs seem to have taken off commercially and can now be found in a number of commercial cellphone models.

Nanotube-based TCs have made little commercial progress, although a few well-funded firms — Samsung, Linde and Toray, for example — still back this approach.

Meanwhile, Agfa, Heraeus and Kodak seem to be making progress with their low-cost conductive polymer TCs. The materials have considerable potential for growth in small displays for electronic labels and smartcards.

NanoMarkets provides in-depth analysis of the applications from which TC firms will be able to make money in the next few years including touch-screens, OLEDs, e-paper, thin-film and BIPV, organic/DSC PV, smart windows, etc. The report examines implications for TCs of the rise of flexible and transparent electronics and provides an in-depth discussion of how non-ITO TCs may be able to break into the LCD market. For each application the report contains separate eight-year forecasts in terms of value ($ millions) and volume (square meters). Each forecast is also broken out by material type.

Firms discussed in the report including 3M, Agfa, Asahi Glass, Atmel, Cambrios, Cima NanoTech, Corning, Dow Chemical, Evonik, Ferro, Fujitsu, Harima Chemicals, Heraeus, Hitachi, Idemitsu Kosan, Indium Corporation, Kodak, LG, Linde, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Nippon Mining and Metals, Nitto Denko, PolyIC, Pilkington, Saint-Gobain, Samsung, Schott, SKC, Sony, Oike, Sumitomo, Teijin, Toray, Tosoh, Ulvac, Umicore, Unidym, and many others.

NanoMarkets tracks and analyzes emerging market opportunities in energy, electronics and other markets created by developments in advanced materials. Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets’ reports and other services.

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July 25, 2012 – Marketwire — UniPixel, Inc. (NASDAQ:UNXL), engineered films provider for touch screen, flexible printed electronics, lighting and display applications, completed the production-level qualification of its Diamond Guard Hard Coat film with its manufacturing and distribution partner, Carestream Tollcoating.

With Carestream, UniPixel established the capacity to support 100 million+ square feet/year production of Diamond Guard, which is used as a cover glass replacement or protective cover film for displays.

Various pilot production orders from major electronic OEMs, ODMs, and film converters have been fulfilled.

Diamond Guard is a low-cost alternative to glass, with a 6H or higher hardness rating, scratch resistance, gloss finish and shatterproof composition. It is thin, light and flexible. This enables roll-based manufacturing, where Diamond Guard is die- or laser-cut to size. Users can print bezels, logos, borders, or other designs in a roll-to-roll processing method. Diamond Guard does not require special surface treatment for inks to adhere. The Diamond Guard line of protective cover films includes FPR (finger print resistant), AG (anti-glare), and DGU (Diamond Guard Ultra) Hard Coat (up to 9H rating) versions.

Widespread commercialization in the cover glass and protective cover markets will begin with this large-volume certification, said UniPixel CEO Reed Killion. The product will be marketed for small, medium, and large-size displays.

Carestream Tollcoating provides high-precision contract coating services and supplies optical-grade PET film, specializing in the application of aqueous and solvent coatings on flexible substrates.Carestream’s global logistics network boasts supply chain management and distribution capabilities in 56 countries. Diamond Guard can be provided as a raw coating material or as a resin for use in customer coating processes.

UniPixel also will work with OEMs and ODMs to combine Diamond Guard with its UniBoss touch sensor to produce a thinner, cost-effective touchscreen display. Functional prototypes have been developed with better than one-fifth the thickness of current touchscreen displays on the market and at a highly competitive cost. The company aims to market this touchscreen offering in 2013.

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 additional information, please visit www.tollcoating.com or www.carestream.com.

UniPixel Inc. (NASDAQ:UNXL) delivers Performance Engineered Films to the Lighting, Display and Flexible Electronics markets. For further information, visit www.unipixel.com.

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July 17, 2012 — Total touchscreen module revenue will reach $16 billion in 2012, and nearly double in six years, reaching $31.9 billion by 2018, according to the most recent NPD DisplaySearch 2012 Touch Panel Market Analysis. The market growth is being driven by increased demand from display applications such as iPads and other tablet PCs, smart phones, and emerging notebook PC designs.

Touch screen penetration has rapidly increased in mobile phones, handheld games, and game consoles, as well as in tablet PC applications, which are forecast to collectively account for more than $13.6 billion in touch screen revenues this year. In addition, NPD DisplaySearch forecasts strong touch screen growth over the next several years driven by demand in larger display applications such as convertible/hybrid notebook PCs.

Mobile phones are the biggest application for touch screens in terms of unit shipments, accounting for three-fourths of units shipped in 2011. NPD DisplaySearch forecasts that 1.2 billion touch screens will ship for mobile phone applications in 2012, up 68% Y/Y.

Tablet PC is a fast-growing application for touch screens. Shipments tripled in 2010 and reached 79.6 million in 2011. Growth continues to be strong, with NPD DisplaySearch forecasting more than 130 million touch screens for tablet PCs in 2012, and more than 190 million in 2013. Revenues for touch screens in tablet PCs are expected to grow by more than $3 billion in 2013.

Touch penetration is expected to increase dramatically in convertible/hybrid notebook PCs. The Ultrabook by Intel will start to adopt touch screens by end of this year, and Microsoft Surface tablets will also integrate touch screens. NPD DisplaySearch forecasts touch screen penetration on notebook PCs will increase from 2% in 2011 to about 8% in 2013.

Over the next few years, all-in-one PCs and automobile monitors are expected to contribute to touch screen market growth as well. Touch technologies with high transmittance, low power consumption, multi-touch or gesture recognition will benefit the most.

Currently, the leading touch technology is projected capacitive touch; however demand for other technologies is on the rise.

“Demand is growing for thinner, light weight, and lower cost touch panels and devices. In addition, we see strong touch screen growth over the next several years in larger display applications such as convertible/hybrid notebook PCs and all-in-one PCs,” noted Jennifer Colegrove, PhD, Vice President of Emerging Display Technologies at NPD DisplaySearch. “Over the next few years, in-cell, on-cell, and sensor-on-cover touch technologies will surpass the add-on type projected capacitive touch.”

Figure. Touchscreen module revenue forecast. SOURCE: NPD DisplaySearch 2012 Touch Panel Market Analysis.

The NPD DisplaySearch 2012 Touch Panel Market Analysis report is a comprehensive analysis of the touch panel technologies and their market forecasts through 2018. This report has detail breakdown of 23 applications (with TV application added this year), with 12 touch technology categories (including sensor-on-cover and gesture-in-air) and 9 size categories. It also has details on touch controller ICs, the sensor market, shipments by area, and forecasts for multi-touch through 2018. NPD DisplaySearch surveyed over 200 suppliers of touch screen modules, controller ICs, ITO film, and other components.

NPD DisplaySearch is a global market research and consulting firm specializing in the display supply chain, as well as the emerging photovoltaic/solar cell industries. Learn more and access reports at www.displaysearch.com.

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July 5, 2012 — Indium tin oxide (ITO) is the basis of more than 90% of transparent conductive films (TCFs), used in displays, flexible photovoltaics, and other devices, reports Cathleen Thiele, technology analyst, IDTechEx. With indium prices rising, and technical challenges related to indium’s brittle nature, manufacturers are looking to new technologies, such as finely printed conductive meshes, layers of silver or copper that are highly transparent, organic transparent conductors and variations such as carbon nanotubes and graphene.

The TCF market is valued at more than $2 billion in 2012. ITO is an entrenched technology for displays manufacturing, said Thiele.

Figure. The commonly used options (excluding uses of transparent conductors that are not in displays, photovoltaics or touchscreens) with their market share. 

Transparent conductor Main uses 2012 value ($M) 2012 market share (%)
Indium tin oxide (ITO Displays (LCD, e-paper, OLED)
Photovoltaics
Capacitive touchscreens		 1527 93
Other metal oxides (FTO, AZO) Photovoltaics (CdTe, a-Si, Silicon PV) 106 6
Transparent organic conductors (PEDOT:PSS), CNTs, graphene Flexible photovoltaics, bi-stable displays 0.6 <0.1
Metals, composites (Metal grids or nanowires) Flexible devices 1.4 0.9

Source: IDTechEx http://www.IDTechEx.com/TCF 

Transparent conductors based on nanosilver and PEDOT:PSS are getting a lot of interest, in addition to carbon nanotubes and graphene. There are also hybrid approaches – using nanosilver to print fine lines, filled with a transparent conductor such as PEDOT:PSS.

Most of the focus is on use as a transparent conductor for display, solar and touchscreen applications – representing the biggest need and opportunity.

In comparison to other types of transparent conductors ITO has a very competitive conductivity-transparency-ratio. However, an issue not only for ITO, but also many other types of TCF, is that they are not particularly flexible. Sputtered ITO and other TCO layers on plastic films are known to be brittle, and they crack upon a few percent strain.

As more and more flexible devices are required, the market for transparent conductive films increases. The trade-off between conductivity, transmittance, and flexibility is best met with materials other than the traditional conductive oxides, which are expected to get more expensive as in the case of ITO, and many companies and research institutes work on alternate technologies.

Flexible E-readers and touchscreens

The recent developments in the e-Reader market are a good example of the interest to move to flexible displays: While the first devices where rigid and based on glass, new versions are intended to eventually be somewhat flexible, though a rollable device is still a dream.

In addition, some are targeting to replace ITO in applications where high conductivity is not needed – e-readers are an excellent example of that.

Eastman Kodak sees the opportunity for their PEDOT formulation in applications where customers seek cheaper alternatives than ITO and where a more resistive film is acceptable. Together with Heraeus they presented a milestone at the Printed Electronics USA 2011 Show – a polymer-based 14" touch screen panel featuring completely invisible conductive patterns. Fabricated by GSI Technologies the panel features Kodak HCF-225 Film/ESTAR™ Base and transparent Clevios™ PEDOT:PSS coating with a surface resistivity of 225 ohms/sq.

Flexible photovoltaics

The same is true for photovoltaics; thin-film solar cells based on compound semiconductors or amorphous silicon (a-Si) are manufactured in industrial scales on glass, but flexible versions on plastic substrates are available and will open new applications and markets.

Moreover, the PV market seeks very large areas of transparent conductive material and therefore must reduce cost as much as possible to maintain competitive cost/watt pricing. Therefore some in the PV market have moved away from ITO already: a-Si manufacturers for example use ITO, FTO and AZO, First Solar (CdTe solar cells) is using FTO and most CIGS PV manufacturers use AZO.

This report focuses on the requirements and achievements to date on the topic of transparent conductors, where high transparency and high conductivity are required, particularly flexible versions. Worldwide research and design efforts are presented, both from research institutes and companies that are developing the necessary materials and processes – in total 53 organizations are profiled. Several technical solutions available are compared, and forecasts are given for the next 10 years, based on assessing the need from different applications.

To learn more about the topic please read Transparent Conductive Films 2012-2022 

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June 22, 2012 – BUSINESS WIRE — Scriptel Corporation, a global provider of capacitive touch sensor products, debuted its GloveCap capacitive touchscreen technology that is capable of registering contact through most types of electrically insulated materials, such as gloves.

“GloveCap represents a new opportunity in capacitive glass technology,” said Winston Powers, SVP of engineering and development, because it can distinguish the range of touch from bare hands to thick insulated gloves.

Also read: Capacitive touch displays take resistive market share

GloveCap sensors are manufacturer with the new industry standard, thin film technology. The product can be applied to many types of substrates, including chemically strengthened glass, plastics, and other non-conductive materials. It can also be applied to curved or other non-traditional surfaces.

GloveCap offers multi-touch user interfaces in rugged environments with or without gloves or other insulating materials.

Products using GloveCap technology will be available in Q4 2012.

Scriptel Corporation provides signature capture and touch response technology for the point of sale industry. Scriptel’s capabilities include offering multiple touch sensor panels, active pen technology with pressure sensing capabilities, and ASIC solutions to the capacitive sensor panel market. For more information about Scriptel, please visit: www.scriptel.com.

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June 14, 2012 — Dontech released the VCG-Series glass filters, formed with next-generation glass fabrication and thin-film vacuum deposition technology to provide exceptional optical transparency and environmental durability in displays.

Dontech’s precision glass optical filters are incorporated in demanding military, medical, industrial and avionic applications. 

The VCG-Series filters optimize display clarity and high ambient light contrast (enabling sunlight readability). Filters can be fabricated from chemically strengthened soda lime (etched or polished), borosilicate, fused silica, and optical glasses (e.g., Schott nBk-7).

VCG-Series filter customization options include high-energy vacuum deposited coatings such as antireflective, transparent conductive (EMI shielding, transparent heaters), and infrared (IR) or near infrared (NIR) blocking. Additional features include custom screen printing, polarizers, precision machining, and conductive optical grids (woven, etched and printed).  Dontech’s glass filters can be laminated or monolithic, clear or colored.

Filter sizes range from less than 1” to greater than 42” diagonal, as stand-alone display cover glass or integrated into a higher-level assembly. VCG-Series filters can be assembled into frames or bezels, or optically bonded to LCDs or touch screens by Dontech using its proprietary IMO-bond optical bonding process.

Dontech, Inc. is an ISO-9001:2008 certified designer and manufacturer of optical filters, coatings, and enhanced display solutions for military, medical, industrial, and avionic applications. Web: www.dontech.com.

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June 8, 2012 — Specialty glass producer SCHOTT announced the market entry of its Xensation cover glass, an alumino-silicate glass offering improved resistance to breakage and scratches for touchscreen display panels. The company also debuted a special anti-glare effect capable of significantly reducing glare on high-resolution displays.

Xensation Cover glass from SCHOTT.

Xensation cover glass launched in late 2011 and underwent an extensive qualification process at all large consumer electronics brands. First models of touch screen devices using Xensation cover glass will appear on the market in Q3 2012, said Lutz Gruebel, head of global sales and marketing activities of the SCHOTT Xensation brand family.

Tests took place at SCHOTT and customer sites using industry-standard cover glass processing parameters. Xensation cover glass consistently reached compressive stress values greater than comparable materials’ results: up to 20% higher bending strength.

Xensation cover glass can be chemically strengthened in less time than competitor glass types, the company reports.

Xensation Cover AG (Anti-Glare) glass from SCHOTT.

High-resolution displays can become distorted by adverse viewing conditions, such as bright sunlight or high ambient lighting. Xensation cover floated alumino-silicate glass is subjected to a custom-designed etching process developed by glass surface modification specialist Berliner Glas, whereby ions are taken out of the glass surface during etching to make it diffuse. Uniform removal of material is a critical requirement for ensuring the glass surface is perceived as faultless by the human eye and Xensation cover’s unique glass structure, combined with Berliner Glas’ etching technology, offers a uniform, homogenous structure not previously possible with ultra-strong glass types. Xensation Cover AG (Anti-Glare) glass is an ultra-strong glass that can be reproducibly treated and etched in a continuous, industrial-scale production process.

SCHOTT is a high-technology company and specialty glass supplier for sectors like displays. More information at www.schott.com.

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