On November 25, PRNewswire/ – OTFT technology developer Smartkem announced a partnership with AUO, Taiwan’s largest display manufacturer, to co-develop the world’s first advanced rollable transparent Micro-LED display.
Smartkem‘s proprietary organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) ink technology allows for direct application on Micro-LED chip surfaces using low-cost plastic substrates at low temperatures, eliminating the need for laser welding and reducing the number of mass transfer steps in Micro-LED production.
According to Smartkem‘s Chairman and CEO Ian Jenks,
We believe that collaborating with global display leader AUO to develop a new type of Micro-LED display will push Smartkem‘s technology to the forefront of Micro-LED commercialization. Our unique transistor technology is expected to enable display manufacturers to efficiently produce Micro-LED displays, making mass production commercially viable. This technology could reduce the price of today’s Micro-LED TVs from the $100,000 premium market to a price that can reach the mass market.”
Our transistors can be manufactured at such low temperatures that we can directly produce them on top of Micro-LED pixels, which eliminates the bottleneck issues of mass transfer and laser bonding required by other technologies. The key to developing this Micro-LED display is our unique low-temperature process, which allows manufacturers to use low-cost, flexible plastic substrates instead of glass. If successful, this partnership will be a significant milestone in Smartkem’s commercialization journey and a landmark in using our OTFT technology for Micro-LED products.”
Dr. Wei-Lung Liau, CTO of AUO, said,
For many years, AUO has been dedicated to developing ultimate Micro-LED display technology, forming alliances with ecosystem partners to achieve large-scale production. In this collaboration, AUO has developed breakthrough technology that significantly enhances the transparency and flexibility of Micro-LED displays. With Smartkem‘s proprietary materials and the Industrial Technology Research Institute’s OTFT production process, we are working together to develop the world’s first cost-efficient rollable Micro-LED display for commercialization. We believe this success will not only create new opportunities for the display industry but also expand the cooperation and influence of value chain partners.”
Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm DSCC, commented on the partnership,
This is an exciting project. If successful, it will prove Smartkem’s technology’s cost-effectiveness in the most demanding Micro-LED applications and could generate significant market interest.”
Smartkem‘s OTFT Technology Disrupting the Micro-LED Display Market
Smartkem believes that it will revolutionize the display industry with a new, low-cost, ultra-thin, transparent, flexible, and lightweight Micro-LED display. Smartkem‘s OTFT technology, which operates at relatively low temperatures, enables the direct integration of OTFT substrates on top of Micro-LED pixels during the manufacturing process, bypassing the mass transfer and laser bonding required by other technologies. This introduces a “chip-first” display architecture, something that other transistor technologies currently cannot achieve. Additionally, Smartkem‘s low-temperature process allows it to manufacture OTFT drives on low-cost, ultra-thin, transparent, flexible, and lightweight plastic substrates, rather than on glass.
About Smartkem
Smartkem is focused on transforming the electronics world with its revolutionary semiconductor platform that supports next-generation displays, sensors, and logic circuits. Smartkem‘s proprietary TRUFLEX® ink is a solution that can be deposited onto low-cost substrates under low-temperature conditions to create organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) circuits. The company’s semiconductor platform has various applications, including Mini-LED displays, AMOLED displays, fingerprint sensors, and integrated logic circuits. Smartkem‘s materials research takes place at its R&D and manufacturing base in Manchester, UK, while its semiconductor manufacturing is carried out at the Center for Process Innovation (CPI) in Sedgefield, UK. The company currently holds an extensive intellectual property portfolio, including approximately 120 granted patents.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MiniMicroLED Insights . While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, the content on this website may include translations, re-edited versions of second-hand information, or information derived from unverifiable sources. MiniMicroLED Insights makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of such content. The information in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, MiniMicroLED Insights disclaims all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of your use of, or reliance on, the information contained in this article.
Copyright Notice: This article may include translated and re-edited content derived from various online sources, including websites and social media platforms. While we strive to credit the original authors and sources to the best of our ability, we may not always be able to verify the original source of the content. All rights to the original content remain with the original author or source publication. Where applicable, this content is reproduced for educational and informational purposes under the fair use doctrine. If you believe any content on this site infringes upon your intellectual property rights, or if you are the copyright owner and believe we have not credited you correctly, please contact us at minimicroled.business@gmail.com. We will investigate and take corrective action, including removing or properly crediting the content if necessary.
Content sourced and adapted by MiniMicroLED Insights (Doris).