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FlexEnable and Merck Take Major Step Forward in Plastic LCD Technology
CAMBRIDGE, England, February 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
- New technology makes bendable, light, thin and unbreakable liquid crystal
displays (LCDs) possible
- Application of organic transistor technology offers a route to low-cost
solutions for volume manufacturing
- Concept will be attractive for many LC modes
FlexEnable, the leader in the development and industrialisation of flexible organic
electronics is partnering with Merck, the global market and technology leader for liquid
crystals and organic electronic materials. As part of this joint project, the two
companies have reached an important next stage in plastic LCD technology. A plastic LCD
has been developed which is completely free of glass, instead using organic transistors on
a plastic sheet, offering multiple benefits. Plastic LCDs have the potential of making
products ten times thinner, more than ten times lighter and cheaper than conventional
glass-based displays - all while delivering differentiating product benefits of being
shatterproof and even conformal.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150211/728651 )
The demonstrator was developed in a very short timeframe, and combines the key
benefits of organic transistor technology (OTFT), including superior quality and yield.
Ultimately, it shows a route to low-cost solutions for volume manufacturing with LCDs, the
dominant display technology in the market today. FlexEnable has now demonstrated the
world's first plastic LCD with active-matrix in-plane switching (IPS). It uses
FlexEnable's OTFT array as well as liquid crystal (LC) and organic semiconductor materials
from Merck. While the first demonstrator employs an IPS mode, this concept will be equally
attractive for many other LC modes and applications such as e-readers, dynamic public
signage and advertising.
Indro Mukerjee, Chairman of FlexEnable, acknowledged the relevance of the new
development, adding, "I congratulate the FlexEnable team and partners for demonstrating
another example of how mature and advanced our transistor platform is. To achieve this
within just months rather than years is a testament to the depth of understanding and IP
we have across our toolkit of industrially proven processes. Plastic LCDs bring clear
benefits where weight and thickness is key - including volume consumer and industrial
markets. It also offers a route to simpler, lower cost device stacks for display makers."
"We are very happy about this step forward as it clearly shows the enormous innovation
potential the LC technology holds for us to explore," says Inese Lowenstein, Head of
Merck's Display Materials business unit. "It also shows that plastic-based bendable or
even flexible displays are not a dream, but a true possibility and encourages us to
develop new LC modes especially for this application. Now we can also imagine how the size
of LC displays can grow even further, by making them lightweight, transportable and
unbreakable."
In addition to Merck and FlexEnable, other project partners who worked on this
achievement include display technology experts from the Institute for Large Area
Microelectronics at the University of Stuttgart (Germany), plastic film supplier LOFO High
Tech Film, (Germany), specialised resist supplier micro resist technology, (Germany), and
backlight supplier Etkes and Sons (Israel); co-funded by the seventh Framework Program of
the European Union.
FlexEnable has been created from Plastic Logic's people and its technology assets in
Cambridge, UK. To find out more about FlexEnable and its robust, flexible displays please
visit http://www.flexenable.com. Companies interested in working together with
FlexEnable should contact info@flexenable.com.
About FlexEnable
FlexEnable, based in Cambridge, UK, has developed the world's first flexible
transistor technology platform; the key to truly flexible and cost effective electronics
over large and small surfaces. With over a decade of experience, IP development and
technology awards, FlexEnable works together with customers to drive innovation across
flexible sensors, smart systems and video-rate displays. FlexEnable's technology platform
enables new mobile and wearable products as well as sensor arrays and structural
electronics that bring an extra dimension to the IoT (Internet of Things). Customers
include OEMs, component manufacturers and materials suppliers. Information on our
partnering offerings, ProductEnable(TM), MaterialEnable(TM) and FabEnable(TM), can be
found on http://www.flexenable.com.
Companies interested in working together with FlexEnable should contact
info@flexenable.com.
Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150211/728651
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150211/728651
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
FlexEnable
CONTACT: Media Contact: Rachel Trovarelli, Head of Marketing Communications, +49 (0)351 8834 4120, pr@flexenable.com
FlexEnable and Merck Take Major Step Forward in Plastic LCD Technology
CAMBRIDGE, England, February 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
- New technology makes bendable, light, thin and unbreakable liquid crystal
displays (LCDs) possible
- Application of organic transistor technology offers a route to low-cost
solutions for volume manufacturing
- Concept will be attractive for many LC modes
FlexEnable, the leader in the development and industrialisation of flexible organic
electronics is partnering with Merck, the global market and technology leader for liquid
crystals and organic electronic materials. As part of this joint project, the two
companies have reached an important next stage in plastic LCD technology. A plastic LCD
has been developed which is completely free of glass, instead using organic transistors on
a plastic sheet, offering multiple benefits. Plastic LCDs have the potential of making
products ten times thinner, more than ten times lighter and cheaper than conventional
glass-based displays - all while delivering differentiating product benefits of being
shatterproof and even conformal.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150211/728651 )
The demonstrator was developed in a very short timeframe, and combines the key
benefits of organic transistor technology (OTFT), including superior quality and yield.
Ultimately, it shows a route to low-cost solutions for volume manufacturing with LCDs, the
dominant display technology in the market today. FlexEnable has now demonstrated the
world's first plastic LCD with active-matrix in-plane switching (IPS). It uses
FlexEnable's OTFT array as well as liquid crystal (LC) and organic semiconductor materials
from Merck. While the first demonstrator employs an IPS mode, this concept will be equally
attractive for many other LC modes and applications such as e-readers, dynamic public
signage and advertising.
Indro Mukerjee, Chairman of FlexEnable, acknowledged the relevance of the new
development, adding, "I congratulate the FlexEnable team and partners for demonstrating
another example of how mature and advanced our transistor platform is. To achieve this
within just months rather than years is a testament to the depth of understanding and IP
we have across our toolkit of industrially proven processes. Plastic LCDs bring clear
benefits where weight and thickness is key - including volume consumer and industrial
markets. It also offers a route to simpler, lower cost device stacks for display makers."
"We are very happy about this step forward as it clearly shows the enormous innovation
potential the LC technology holds for us to explore," says Inese Lowenstein, Head of
Merck's Display Materials business unit. "It also shows that plastic-based bendable or
even flexible displays are not a dream, but a true possibility and encourages us to
develop new LC modes especially for this application. Now we can also imagine how the size
of LC displays can grow even further, by making them lightweight, transportable and
unbreakable."
In addition to Merck and FlexEnable, other project partners who worked on this
achievement include display technology experts from the Institute for Large Area
Microelectronics at the University of Stuttgart (Germany), plastic film supplier LOFO High
Tech Film, (Germany), specialised resist supplier micro resist technology, (Germany), and
backlight supplier Etkes and Sons (Israel); co-funded by the seventh Framework Program of
the European Union.
FlexEnable has been created from Plastic Logic's people and its technology assets in
Cambridge, UK. To find out more about FlexEnable and its robust, flexible displays please
visit http://www.flexenable.com. Companies interested in working together with
FlexEnable should contact info@flexenable.com.
About FlexEnable
FlexEnable, based in Cambridge, UK, has developed the world's first flexible
transistor technology platform; the key to truly flexible and cost effective electronics
over large and small surfaces. With over a decade of experience, IP development and
technology awards, FlexEnable works together with customers to drive innovation across
flexible sensors, smart systems and video-rate displays. FlexEnable's technology platform
enables new mobile and wearable products as well as sensor arrays and structural
electronics that bring an extra dimension to the IoT (Internet of Things). Customers
include OEMs, component manufacturers and materials suppliers. Information on our
partnering offerings, ProductEnable(TM), MaterialEnable(TM) and FabEnable(TM), can be
found on http://www.flexenable.com.
Companies interested in working together with FlexEnable should contact
info@flexenable.com.
Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150211/728651
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150211/728651
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
FlexEnable
CONTACT: Media Contact: Rachel Trovarelli, Head of Marketing Communications, +49 (0)351 8834 4120, pr@flexenable.com