OLED

Osram gives up OLED Displays for OLED Based Lighting Solutions

sarafan — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:12:16 +0000

It’s reported that Osram GmbH will cease production of OLED-based displays and close the related fab in Penang, Malaysia. In the future, the company will focus on lighting solutions, also based on OLED technology.

The Siemens subsidiary will exit the production of based passive matrix LED displays by the OLED-end of the year. Instead, it will concentrate its OLED activities on developing market-ready lighting solutions. An Osram spokesperson explained that they are a lighting company, their market expectations for OLED displays have not materialized.

Under the 'Pictiva' brand name, Osram manufactures passive matrix displays since 2003 and sells them into a broad range of applications including communication systems, industrial and mobile communications devices. However, demand has lagged far behind Osram's expectations. The experience gathered in the display sector will not be lost. "This experience will speed up considerably the development of lighting products and production methods", explained Osram CEO Ruediger Mueller.

It’s disclosed that the company will transfer 270 employees to other activities within Osram Semiconductors including the company's new LED chip fab in Penang. Also the US-based marketing and design activities are affected; the company said it is about to search new jobs for the U.S. team. Two weeks ago, Osram has broken ground for a new LED fab, in Penang which will create about 800 jobs. In addition, the company announced to increase its backend capacity in that region by 50 percent. For the new facilities, Osram has invested a double-digit million euros sum.

The new fab is scheduled to ramp up production in the first quarter of 2009. According to the spokesperson, the Penang production will not go at the expense of the company's production in Regensburg, Germany. In contrast, the company plans to increase its production here as well.

OLED lighting markets to reach US$4.5 B by 2013

sarafan — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:51:20 +0000

It’s reported that the OLED lighting market will reach almost US$4.5 billion by 2013 and grow to $5.9 billion by 2015. It’s disclosed that in the past year the prospects for OLED lighting have made great leaps forward due to improvements in OLED performance and manufacturing.

According to the OLED lighting report analyzes and forecasts the rapidly emerging market and answers important questions on which segments of the lighting market will see the first penetration of OLED lighting. Flat-panel OLED lighting is likely to emulate FPDs by starting out with products of modest capabilities, and then evolving over time to capture more demanding applications. However, this consensus is not universal.

It’s expected that the OLED backlighting market will reach $1.1 billion by 2015. And while the first OLED lighting panels are quite small, the recent scaling up of factories in Asia to build large OLED displays will certainly benefit the manufacturing infrastructure for OLED lighting and lead to larger panels within a few years. Although OLEDs have an efficiency edge over OLEDs today, that edge may narrow or even disappear. Moreover, point sources of light like OLEDs are not especially effective at delivering area light and typically require additional optics to do the job. OLEDs, in contrast, already have exactly the kind of broad area light that’s needed for backlighting.

The flat and flexible format presented by OLEDs creates an opportunity to design high-value added lighting fixtures with an appeal to upscale consumers and especially architects. During 2008, lighting designer Ingo Maurer introduced the world's first OLED "function table light" and researchers at GE are targeting lighted curtains and lighted wallpaper.

The unit costs of OLED lights are likely to remain higher than older general lighting technologies but the extra costs will be offset by improved OLED lifetimes and efficiencies. During 2008, OLED lifetimes improved from 24 Khrs to 100 Khrs. Meanwhile, the US Department of Energy now expects OLED lighting to reach 150 lm/W efficiency in 2012 rather than 2014 as previously forecast.

Manufacturing processes for OLEDs have also progressed significantly. GE and the Fraunhofer Institute have both demonstrated roll-to-roll manufacturing of OLED lighting which will ultimately lead to significant cost improvements in OLED fabrication. Low cost printing approaches and new small molecule inks will also help propel OLEDs into the backlighting market.

GE Creates New Printed Sheets of OLED Lights

sarafan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:47:04 +0000

It’s reported that General Electric has created a giant OLED panel printer to be specifically used for lighting.

The "semi-trailer" sized machine prints out thin layers of flexible plastic, covers them with chemicals, and seals them with foil, so they'll glow a frosty blue-white if an electrical current is applied. But these OLED sheets aren't exactly lightbulb substitutes.

Our current incandescent and CFL bulbs are super bright and super small, which is why we have to artfully cover them with lampshades or, in my case, a purple silk scarf, because I know what the ladies like. These new OLEDs are substantially dimmer, so they'd be used in large panels to create a softer light. Imagine a windowshade of the new lights, so when lowered at night, light still seems to be filtering in from outside. Or hell, just wallpaper your bedroom in the stuff, since no fixture is required. The caveats: they do, of course, still need a power source, their lifespan isn't up to par, and they're incredibly expensive right now. GE hopes to get the kinks worked out and the panels into production by 2010.

OLED, 3D displaying is showed at Ceatec 2008

sarafan — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:08:46 +0000

it’s reported that Sony has an entire wall of its 11-inch XEL-1 OLED TVs set up here at Ceatec 2008, but in contrast with past gadget shows, it's not the only company showing off OLED prototypes.

Panasonic may have said earlier this week that OLED is still far from becoming a mass-produced mainstream technology for use in big-screen TVs, but other electronics makers are plowing ahead with their own research on the organic, thin film technology: NEC, Sony, and KDDI showed off what they've been doing with OLED in their research labs.

Of course, Sony continues to press ahead its OLED research and development, showing a flexible OLED display as thin as a playing card, as well an OLED TV that's even thinner than its current XEL-1. The prototype measures just 0.3 millimeter thick. Besides, KDDI is going in a slightly different direction, looking to take OLED smaller and mobile. The mobile phone company showed an OLED display measuring 3.1 inches and meant for mobile devices. It's just a prototype for now.

Another theme here at Ceatec is 3D displays. Sure, Panasonic is showing its 3D high-definition home theater using a giant TV, but you still need 3D glasses to get the stereoscopic effect. NEC is showing a 9-inch LCD display a 3D image without the need for those silly plastic frames. KDDI also had its own 3D LCD display measuring 3.1 inches and for use by mobile devices. Also no need for 3D glasses.

Of course, while these are really cool concepts, they're still in the thick of development and it will be years before we see mass production of any of them.

AUO to Restart AM-OLED Project in Q4

sarafan — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:09:24 +0000

It’s reported that AU Optronics Corp., the largest TFT-LCD panel manufacturer in Taiwan, has decided to restart an active matrix-organic light-emit diode (AM-OLED) research project in the fourth quarter after two years of suspension.

B.D. Liu, vice president of AUO Technology Center, pointed out that his company plans to restart AM-OLED display development in the fourth quarter to meet the market demand.

As AM-OLED display is gaining popularity in cellphone application, big brands such as Nokia and Samsung have adopted such display in some of their handsets. A certain Japanese company has also commercialized TVs with AM-OLED panels. Most OLED makers withdrew from the business in the past two years due to insufficient supply chain and high production costs, including AUO. However, the AM-OLED business staged a comeback starting early this year after many big international companies continuously announced ambitious investment projects in the first half, such as Sharp, Sony, LG Display etc.

AUO pointed out that OLEDs are expected to enjoy rapid growth in cellphone application in 2010 or 2011, but the growth in large-sized applications remains uncertain though 11- to 13-inch OLED TVs have been pushed into the market.

Microsharp to develop OLED technology

sarafan — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:32:18 +0000

It’s reported that Microsharp Corporation, a privately owned UK company focused on the development of specialist optical films, has joined the EU funded, OLED-100.eu R&D project as the only UK participant.

The three-year, €20m project, which follows on from the OLLA project which sought to develop OLED technology for lighting purposes, is viewed as critical to the long term development of the European OLED industry. The goal of OLED100.eu is to develop all the necessary technologies needed to produce efficient OLED products for exploitation by the European lighting industry. Targets set by the project include achieving 100 lumens per watt power efficiency, over 100,000 ‘lifetime hours’, a unit area of 100cm by 100cm, and costs of €100 per square meter or less.

According to Microsharp, artificial lighting consumes between 20 per cent and 50 per cent of electrical energy in homes and offices and OLEDs are said to be promising candidates to substitute conventional light sources like incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes. And the company's contribution will be to the project that will be to develop optical film structures to enhance efficiency and increase potential lifetimes through improved light outcoplings.

Microsharp also assert that the rate of OLED development is such that soon they will be more efficient than cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) and they offer many advantages in ease of manufacture and in providing a variety of light form factors.

AUO using a-Si to develop OLED panels

sarafan — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:31:45 +0000

AU Optronics (AUO) plans on basing its OLED development using a-Si technology, and the company estimates it will enter into mass production in 2011.

Vitex and Novaled to Cooperate on OLED Devices

sarafan — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:52:07 +0000

It’s reported that Vitex, leader in thin film encapsulation and Novaled, leader in highly efficient long lifetime OLEDs, are going to combine advantages of the Vitex BarixTM thin film technology with the Novaled doping technology and materials targeting very thin and high efficiency long lifetime OLED products.

OLED is the major technology for the forthcoming new generation of Displays covering applications from the mobile phone to TV. OLED will also introduce a revolution in lighting while allowing innovative design. Thanks to this cooperation between Vitex and Novaled, the market will benefit from very efficient and very thin OLED devices. The majority of OLEDs are currently processed on glass substrate and encapsulated with glass for protection against air and moisture. The glass represents more than 90% of the device thickness. Vitex has developed an innovative thin film encapsulation targeting ultra thin OLED devices.

Jack Saltich, Vitex CEO said that Novaled is famous for its highly efficient OLED technology, Vitex BarixTM thin film encapsulation not only offers superior encapsulation properties but also enables innovative and ultra thin product design that conventional technology can not provide. Together with Novaled made they can offer the complete solution for new design form factors and energy savings.

Novaled holds world records for power efficient OLEDs. Their strategy is to provide complete OLED solutions around their Novaled PIN OLED™ technology. The cooperation with Vitex illustrates their company approach. Meanwhile, Novaled customers will benefit from the Vitex technology for their advanced design.

About Vitex

Vitex Systems Inc., headquartered in San Jose, Calif., licenses a proprietary encapsulation solution/process, Barix™, as well as tool and next-generation flexible barrier substrate, that enable the cost-effective production of OLED displays that are lighter and thinner than any other commercially available displays. Vitex’s technology can also be used to address a wider array of photovoltaic and optoelectronics applications.

About Novaled

Novaled AG is a world leading company in the OLED field specialized in high efficiency long lifetime OLED structures and an expert in synthetic and analytical chemistry. The company offers complete solutions to the organic electronic markets, commercializing its Novaled PIN OLEDTM technology along with its proprietary OLED materials. Novaled has developed long term partnerships with major OLED players worldwide. Based on more than 400 patents granted or pending, Novaled has a strong IP position in OLED technology. Main investors are Crédit Agricole Private Equity, TechnoStart, TechFund and CDC.

Merck KGaA aims to be OLEDs displays market leaders

sarafan — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:43:25 +0000

It’s reported that Merck KGaA aims to take a leading position in the future market for OLED, which may become the new technology for displays in mobile phones, computers and TVs.

Merck is the world's largest maker of liquid crystals, the key chemical in most flat-panel displays currently in use. OLED-based screens are thinner and more energy efficient but are less durable than current liquid-crystal or plasma-based panels. According to chief executive Karl-Ludwig Kley’s forecast, it will take at least until 2030 before OLED TVs will take over liquid-crystal televisions.

OLED Technology to be The Future Of TV

sarafan — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:29:00 +0000

It’s reported that Universal Display Corporation announced the possible with OLED technology that made a television screen as thin as a piece of paper that weighs no more than a few ounces. Or, so flexible it could be worn around our wrist and is virtually indestructible, which stands for Organic Light Emitting Diodes.

Janice Mahon, the company's vice president, gave us a tour of the labs where the OLEDs are created: The process starts by producing organic molecules, which are then sandwiched in thin layers of plastic or metal, and when energized can create light or images.

Now, manufacturers are struggling with putting capacity in place to make the products. Despite that hardship, major companies such as Sony Dell Panasonic and Toshiba are already on board. One reason is because OLEDs use one-fourth the energy of LCDs. As we know, at the first television of it's kind, made by Sony. It's extremely thin, but straight and sturdy. Mahon explains that OLED technology compared to LCD is brighter and has a faster operating rate and wider viewing angles. The only word for it is wow! With OLEDs the light source isn't behind the display, it is the display.

Besides, OLED displays can also be flexible, leaving open many alternative options. The possibilities of different designs got the interest of the Military, and now it's funding much of this research.

One prototype has a paper thin display, pulling out of a pen. The idea is that the display could hold a mini computer screen. Another would use a traveling mirror, allowing the user to change it into a display at the touch of a button. The displays can also be transparent. The see through displays can also be dual purpose. Universal display is working on putting OLED technology into windows. They could be transparent by day and a light source at night.

All the possibilities have scientists predicting that this thin, flexible, see through technology is on the edge of transforming our outlook on life.