HP and ASU demonstrate flexible, unbreakable displays

Dec. 9, 2008

HP Labs (Palo Alto, CA) and the Flexible Display Center (FDC) at Arizona State University (ASU; Tempe, AZ) announced the first prototype of affordable, flexible electronic displays.

Gail Overton

HP Labs (Palo Alto, CA) and the Flexible Display Center (FDC) at Arizona State University (ASU; Tempe, AZ) announced the first prototype of affordable, flexible electronic displays. The unbreakable displays were created by HP and the FDC using self-aligned imprint lithography (SAIL) technology invented at HP Labs—HP's central research arm. The roll-to-roll processed displays leapfrog conventional display processes by using up to 90% less materials by volume.

SAIL is considered "self aligned" because the patterning information is imprinted on the substrate in such a way that perfect alignment is maintained regardless of process-induced distortion. This SAIL technology enables the fabrication of thin-film transistor arrays on a flexible plastic material in a low-cost, roll-to-roll manufacturing process for more cost-effective continuous production compared to batch sheet-to-sheet production.

The first practical demonstration of the flexible displays was achieved through collaborative efforts between the FDC and HP as well as other FDC partners including DuPont Teijin Films and E Ink. "Producing a photolithography-free, flexible active-matrix display is an excellent example of the Flexible Display Center's world-class development and manufacturing infrastructure," said Shawn O'Rourke, director, Engineering, Flexible Display Center at ASU. "It demonstrates how multiple industry partners can collaborate on innovative solutions, including roll-to-roll compatible technology that addresses the rapidly growing market for flexible electronics."

"Flexible electronic displays are playing an increasingly important role in the global high-tech industry, serving as the crucial enabling technology for a new generation of portable devices, including e-readers and similar products designed to combine mobility with compelling user interfaces," said Vinita Jakhanwal, principal analyst, Small and Medium Displays, iSuppli. "We expect the flexible display market to grow from $80 million in 2007 to $2.8 billion by 2013."

For more information, visit HP at www.hp.com or ASU's Flexible Display Center at www.flexdisplay.asu.edu.

About the Author

Gail Overton | Senior Editor (2004-2020)

Gail has more than 30 years of engineering, marketing, product management, and editorial experience in the photonics and optical communications industry. Before joining the staff at Laser Focus World in 2004, she held many product management and product marketing roles in the fiber-optics industry, most notably at Hughes (El Segundo, CA), GTE Labs (Waltham, MA), Corning (Corning, NY), Photon Kinetics (Beaverton, OR), and Newport Corporation (Irvine, CA). During her marketing career, Gail published articles in WDM Solutions and Sensors magazine and traveled internationally to conduct product and sales training. Gail received her BS degree in physics, with an emphasis in optics, from San Diego State University in San Diego, CA in May 1986.