Backlight project leverages OLEDs and optical films
1 min read
OLED-T and Microsharp have announced a two year DTI funded project to develop a concept product that combines optical films with OLED materials for backlighting. The total grant for the venture is £225,000.
The aim of the project is to develop a high efficiency white light, thin, flexible, on plastic OLED solid state lighting system that will be geared initially towards the flat panel display market – in particular micro and flexible displays.
Welcoming the partnership, Science and Innovation Minister Malcolm Wicks said: “The UK has a proud history of innovation in science and technology. We believe that we must work with industry to develop the marketable products and services of tomorrow, so that we can maintain our position as a leading global economy.
“That’s why we’re supporting this innovative lighting project, which provides a great opportunity to harness the UK’s world class expertise and use it to boost our economy and our quality of life. This partnership should help establish British industry as the world leader in this area and be an attractive proposition for investors.”
The backlight unit market is estimated by Display Search to have a global value that exceeds $8billion per annum. OLED-T and Microsharp will be looking to develop prototypes that take advantage of the increasing trend towards better performing and thinner units that offer lower operating costs. For the purposes of the project OLED-T will be developing new white OLED materials.
“If we achieve the efficiency benefits that we are aiming for, then our backlights will offer the potential to reduce system power consumption, which in turn will lower operating costs and provide significant battery lifetime benefits,” said Dr Nicholas Walker, CEO, Microsharp.
