TEMPE, AZ--(Marketwire - November 16, 2010) - The Flexible Display Center (FDC) at Arizona State University today announced that AU Optronics (AUO) has become an industry partner of the FDC. The two companies will collaborate on the development of mixed oxide thin film transistors (TFTs) to accelerate the commercial availability of active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) flexible displays. AMOLED displays have already started to gain market traction in conventional glass displays for applications such as smart phones because of the crisp, vibrant and rich colors they deliver. The FDC-AUO partnership will focus on bringing the benefits of AMOLED displays, including full-color, full-motion video, to flexible substrates.
"We see tremendous potential in partnering with the FDC to advance the development of flexible AMOLEDs," said Yong-Hong Lu, Vice President of AUO Technology Center. "The FDC has significant experience in adapting standard flat panel display manufacturing technologies for use with flexible substrates, which is a critical aspect of being able to bring flexible AMOLEDs to market. Working with the FDC offers us an opportunity to advance leading-edge display technologies for flexible substrates and participate in the development of viable approaches to commercialization."
AUO and the FDC will work in active partnership with dedicated engineering teams to advance mixed oxide transistor technology and the handling capabilities of conventional flat panel display (FPD) manufacturing processes to accommodate the thin, plastic substrates used for flexible displays. Mixed oxide TFTs offer a better ability to drive currents and improve the lifetime and stability of transistors used for OLED displays.
"As one of the leading FPD manufacturers in the world, AUO brings significant expertise in AMOLED display technology and manufacturing," said Nicholas Colaneri, director of the Flexible Display Center at Arizona State University. "This partnership will allow us to combine AUO's manufacturing strength with the FDC's superior approach to handling plastic materials in a conventional flat panel manufacturing environment. Working with AUO further extends our strategy of fostering innovation with leading industrial firms by taking advantage of the Center's unique public, private and military partnership to accelerate the development of advanced technologies."
Flexible Display Center at Arizona State University
The FDC is a government -- industry -- academia partnership that's advancing full-color flexible display technology and fostering development of a manufacturing ecosystem to support the rapidly growing market for flexible electronic displays. FDC partners include many of the world's leading providers of advanced display technology, materials and process equipment. The FDC is unique among the U.S. Army's University centers, having been formed through a 10-year cooperative agreement with Arizona State University in 2004. This adaptable agreement has enabled the FDC to create and implement a proven collaborative partnership model with 29 active industry members, and to successfully deploy world class wafer-scale R&D and GEN-II display-scale pilot production lines for rapid flexible display technology development and manufacturing supply chain commercialization. More information on the FDC can be found at http://flexdisplay.asu.edu/.
ABOUT AU OPTRONICS
AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is a global leader of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD). AUO is able to provide customers with a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications, offering TFT-LCD panels in sizes ranging from 1.2 inches to greater than 65 inches. AUO generated NT$359.3 billion (US$11.2 billion) in sales revenue* in 2009 and now houses a staff of more than 42,000 employees, with global operations in Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.S., and Europe. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be successfully listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in late 2008, and formally founded its Solar Photovoltaic Business Unit in October, 2009. For more information, please visit AUO.com.