Introduction
As a crucial pillar of the digital economy, the emerging display industry is in a vibrant growth phase, with groundbreaking technologies continuously emerging. During the 2024 Micro-LED Technology Forum at the Tianma Microelectronics Global Innovation Conference, Geng Yi, the Chief Researcher of New Display at the China Electronics Information Industry Development Research Institute, emphasized the increasing significance of Micro-LED. According to Geng, Micro-LED is an essential focus for the future of display technology and its development will depend on adhering to two core traditions and advancing through four key innovations.
Advantages and Challenges of Micro-LED Technology
Micro-LED technology offers distinct advantages over other display technologies, including higher resolution, extended lifespan, enhanced viewing angles, superior contrast, rapid response times, broader operating temperature ranges, and smaller device sizes. However, technical bottlenecks persist in mass production, where production costs remain high. The Micro-LED industry features a complex supply chain, involving chip manufacturing, mass transfer, panel manufacturing, and device integration. This comprehensive production chain requires a significant investment in equipment and materials, creating a substantial pull effect throughout the upstream and downstream sectors.
Geng highlighted that “Micro-LED integrates mature LED industry foundations, with even broader applications, giving it significant impact across the entire display sector.” However, the dispersed nature of the Micro-LED production chain and its complex ecosystem intensify competition among suppliers. Additionally, the industry still lacks unified standards, leading to inconsistencies in product definitions and interfaces.
Two Traditions: Pixel Miniaturization and Precision Driving
The two core traditions emphasized by Geng focus on pixel miniaturization and precision in driving mechanisms. While pixel spacing requires further refinement, pixel miniaturization is crucial for improving display quality. For driving mechanisms, active driving is more suited to high-resolution Micro-LED applications, though challenges around cost and yield across various technical approaches remain unresolved.
Four Innovations Shaping Micro-LED’s Maturity
As Micro-LED advances toward maturity, it encounters four critical innovations:
- Uniformity in Epitaxial Growth: Achieving uniform wavelength distribution remains essential for consistent epitaxial growth and increased wafer efficiency.
- Mass Transfer Efficiency: Transferring millions of chips simultaneously presents a significant challenge for equipment, requiring high-precision solutions.
- Full-Color Coordination: Ensuring full-color output with optimal brightness and minimal interference is vital. This requires a delicate balance between performance and cost.
- Accurate Detection and Repair: Precision in inspection and repair processes is key to improving efficiency and reducing costs, thus enhancing production scalability.
Micro-LED Market Forecast and Applications
Based on data from Omdia, global Micro-LED revenue is expected to reach $460 million by 2026 and could soar to $4.44 billion by 2030. Regarding Micro-LED’s application trends, Geng forecasts its gradual transition from large-scale public displays, home television products, and virtual reality to automotive displays and wearable devices. Eventually, Micro-LED will cover all display sizes and become a mainstream technology.
Driving Factors Behind China’s Micro-LED Advancements
Driven by robust collaboration across academia, industry, and research sectors, China’s Micro-LED industry has witnessed rapid development, with active R&D and a growing patent portfolio. Many companies are focusing on Micro-LED as a core technology for the future. As a highly market-driven field, Geng recommends that companies should:
- Sustain Technical Research: Strengthen resource integration and foster close industry cooperation to accelerate industrialization.
- Follow Demand-Oriented Growth: Prioritize pilot projects and develop niche markets with differentiated solutions.
- Reduce Costs: Optimizing the supply chain, innovating in technology, and pursuing specialized applications are critical to improving market acceptance.
- Build a Robust Supply Chain: Facilitate the development of a comprehensive industry ecosystem.
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).