Researchers from the University of Michigan developed an efficient fluorescent blue OLED. The ceiling for the efficiency of such OLEDs was believe to be around 5%, and the new OLEDs are close to 10%. The new material is a computer-simulations assisted redesign of a current material used by the University collaborators in Singapore.
Last week we reported that Chimei Innolux are showing AMOLED panels at FPD China 2011 (which is good news as we're still not sure whether Chimei Innolux (CMI) is producing AMOLED panels or not). We now have more information on those panels. There are two panels on show: a 3.2" (320x480) and a 3.5" (360x64).
CMI are calling those displays TrueOLED, but apparantly they use a white-OLED with color filters design. This is the same method that was developed by Kodak (and now LG owns that technology). This includes a white subpixel (with no filter) to enhance brightness. Other features of those panels: 300cd/m2brightness, 30,000:1 contrast ratio, 160° viewing angles and 100% color gamut for the 3.2" panel (87% for the 3.5" one).
Update: Digitimes posted a full list of earthqake effects on Japanese OLED plants and facilities.
According to Digitimes, the Japanese earthquake did not have a serious impact on OLED companies. The only company that was really hit was Showa Denko - and while it's not clear from the article is seems that the damage is not substantial. Sumitomo's PLED production saw some 'modest' disruption as well.
Idemitsu Kosan was only effected by the transportaion and power outrages. It's not clear how did TDK (who makes PMOLED panels) fare.
Update 2: Universal Display announced the pricing of the public offering: $46 per share. They will sell 5 million shares (plus additional optional 750,000 if there is over-allotments). The net proceeds will be around $217 million (and $250 million if the optional shares are sold as well).
Update: According to a Korea Times article, UDC lost the patent suit in Japan, and their PHOLED material patents have been invalidated - which means that other companies can make phosphorescent OLED materials, at least in Japan. We're not sure if this report is valid though as UDC said yesterday they are still awaiting news on that lawsuit, and we're not sure if those patents aren't material...
Universal Display announced plans to offer 5 million common stocks, which will raise around $225 million according to the current stock price. UDC has around $70 million in cash currently, so it'll be interested to see what they plan to do with so much money. Perhaps they want to acquire a company or they actually do plan to become an OLED lighting manufacturer...
Update: The Astound is now shipping - and it's actually free with a T-Mobile contract.
T-Mobile USA launched the Nokia Astound - a rebranded C7. The hardware is the same as the C7 but Nokia made some changes to the software - added a QWERTY keyboard with Swype and upgraded the browser. The Astound also has free Ovi Maps GPS with US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean maps pre loaded. The Astound will start shipping on April 6 for $79.99 (with a contract, after rebate). If you don't want to wait, you can buy the C7 unlocked for $549.
The Nokia C7 is running on Symbian^3, and has a 3.5" 640x360 AMOLED display and a 8mp camera that can record 720p video. Other features include 8GB of memory, GPS and Wi-Fi.
Samsung Mobile Display (SMD) will raise 3.4 trillion won (about $3 billion) from its parent companies (Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDI). The money will be used to boost AMOLED production capacity. SMD is currently a 50-50 joint venture, but this might change after this move as SMD hasn't decided on the breakdown of the share placement between its parent companies. This investment is part of Samsung's massive $4.8 billion OLED budget in 2011.
Here's a very nice short video showing how an LCD monitor works by tearing it down and explaining it bit by bit:
eMagin posted their financial results for 4Q 2010 - $8 million in revenue - a 19% increase over 4Q 2009. The company says that they see an increased demand for their OLED microdisplays and they now over 185 customers in 32 countries. Net income for the fourth quarter was $10.2 million - which includes a $9.1 million tax benefit.
The company expects to record total revenue of $35 million to $40 million during 2011. eMagin reported $30.5 million in revenue in 2010, so they are projecting a 14%-30% increase year over year.
As you probably know, a massive earthquake (8.9 magnitude) hit the pacific ocean nearby northeastern Japan on March 11 - causing damage, fire, a tsunami and a nuclear disaster. Our heart goes to the Japanese people - and especially to our friends from Sony, Konica Minolta, Tokki, Lumiotec, Sumitomo, Mitsubishi, Pioneer, Showa Denko, Seiko Epson, Panasonic and other companies and universities we've been in touch with over the past 5 years.
Google has a Crisis Response page set up, where you can get the latest news and give a donation to the Japanese red cross and other organizations.
Universal Display (UDC) posted their financial results for 4Q 2010. The company had $10.8 million in revenue for 4Q - which is more than double the revenue in 4Q 2009. The company enjoyed an increase of both commercial chemical revenue and development revenue. The operating loss was just $210K (compared to almost $4 million last year), although the net loss was $5.3 million (due to non-cash loss on stock warrant liability). UDC currently has around $70 million in cash and equivalents.
It seems that UDC is finally starting to enjoy Samsung's increased capacity and AMOLED shipments and UDC expects their technology to migrate to large-sized displays and lighting panels.
