Smartkem, a UK-based developer of organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) materials, has announced the successful sale of its TRUFLEX® semiconductor materials to its joint development partner, Chip Foundation in Shanghai. The two companies will use these materials to jointly develop the next-generation Micro LED backlighting technology for liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

TRUFLEX® Technology and Benefits
The TRUFLEX® material is Smartkem‘s core patented chemical technology, designed for deposition on low-cost substrates under low-temperature conditions. This solution is used to manufacture organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) circuits. Under low-temperature conditions of 80°C, the transistors can be directly processed onto Micro LEDs, bypassing the need for mass transfer and laser welding techniques, thereby speeding up the manufacturing process for Micro LEDs.
Smartkem’s TRUFLEX® material will be integrated with Chip Foundation’s Micro LEDs, with the goal of creating Micro LED chips that exhibit high brightness and high current efficiency. This integration will reduce power loss during backlighting and improve lighting uniformity. It is expected that sales of TRUFLEX® material will begin in 2025.
Strategic Collaboration for High-Performance LCD Backlighting
According to Chip Foundation, the collaboration with Smartkem represents an important step in the development of high-performance LCD backlighting solutions. The integration of TRUFLEX® material into their Micro LED products will significantly enhance the company’s product capabilities.
Background of the Companies
Smartkem is a UK-based developer specializing in organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) materials. Last May, Smartkem showcased a Micro LED display prototype based on its proprietary OTFT materials. The display featured a 96×96 pixel Micro LED array and was processed on a sapphire substrate using Smartkem’s materials for planarization. It employed photolithography, etching, sputtering, and metal-layer patterning to achieve Micro LED anode and cathode contacts, creating the display effect.
Shanghai Chip Foundation Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2014, focuses on independent research, design, and production based on gallium nitride (GaN) materials, including sapphire-based GaN high-end thin-film structure chips, Mini/Micro LED chips, and more. Its products are widely used in industrial curing, AR/VR, smartwatches, televisions, outdoor displays, and specialty lighting.

Notably, last September, Smartkem announced a partnership with Chip Foundation to jointly develop advanced backlight sources using glass-based high-pressure MiP chips and glass-based QD on Chip LED chips.
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