Self-luminescent OLED displays, which offer outstanding viewing characteristics, including high contrast, wide viewing angle, and fast response times, are widely seen as the leading candidate for the next generation of thin, lightweight displays. One of the major obstacles to their realization, however, has been the perceived difficulty of forming organic layers on large-sized TFT (thin film transistor) substrates. Thus the question of when fabrication processes for large-sized OLED flat panel displays would become technically feasible had been anyone's guess.
Epson has been actively working to develop and commercialize next-generation OLED displays. The company, long a leader in inkjet printers, has developed an original inkjet process for depositing organic layers on large-size TFT substrates. Using this adapted inkjet technology to form organic layers on large-size substrates in a simple process, Epson has now developed the world's largest (40-inch diagonal) full-color OLED display prototype.
By establishing an OLED display manufacturing system and process that can handle oversized substrates, Epson has beaten a path to large-size OLED displays, as well as to lower cost small- and medium-sized panels cut from larger TFT substrates.
Epson believes that the characteristics of OLED displays make them the ideal device for entertainment applications, whether in equipment for the road or living room. The company is thus gearing up towards commercialization in 2007.
Source:
Epson
Related stories:
Epson Develops Long-life OLED Display System Capable of Reproducing 'the Ultimate Black'
Seiko Epson Corp. has developed an organic light-emitting diode ("OLED") display system capable of producing "the ultimate black." Having resolved the problem of achieving long life for the device, a longstanding challenge with OLED, Epson has put into operation a manufacturing line for small-scale production of OLED for practical applications.
Epson Develops the World's First Print Head Using an OLED Light Source
Seiko Epson Corporation has developed the world's first print head using an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) light source.
Samsung SDI Develops Largest Ever Active-Matrix OLED Display
May 20, 2004 (SEOUL) -- Samsung SDI Co, Ltd of Korea, a flat-panel display affiliate of the Samsung Group, said on May 18 it has developed the world's largest active-matrix (AM) organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display based on the low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) technology, measuring 17 inches.
This is really a technology race, just yesterday Philips and Epson also announced their prototypes OLED developments. PhysOrg reported that -
http://www.physorg.com/news96.html and
http://www.physorg.com/news97.html .
Nanoengineered barrier invented to protect plastic electronics from water degradation
A breakthrough barrier technology from Singapore A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) protects sensitive devices like organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and solar cells from moisture 1000 times more effectively than any other technology available in the market, opening up new opportunities for the up-and-coming plastic electronics sector.
New OLED encapsulation method reduces water intrusion, increases lifetime
Researchers have developed an improved organic light emitting diode (OLED) sealing process to reduce moisture intrusion and improve device lifetime.
Engineers make first 'active matrix' display using nanowires
Engineers have created the first "active matrix" display using a new class of transparent transistors and circuits, a step toward realizing applications such as e-paper, flexible color monitors and "heads-up" displays in car windshields.
Sony Debuts First OLED TV in the US
Sony today announced the availability of the industry’s first Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) television in the United States.
Simple OLEDs ready for quick manufacturing
With their attractively low energy consumption, Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are widely predicted to replace the LCDs now used in the large screens of laptops and TVs. Currently, OLEDs are commonly used in small portable devices such as cell phones, but adapting them to large screens will still require a few modifications.
