Researchers at GE Plastics have detailed a plastic-substrate system that they claim will lead to OLED (organic-light-emitting-diode)-based displays that are more flexible, lighter, more durable, and less costly to build than those based on glass substrates.
The system combines a high-temperature Lexan polycarbonate film with a transparent coating that protects the display from oxygen and moisture. The high clarity and high temperature resistance of the Lexan film enable the construction of a 125-micron-thick substrate that can withstand the heat involved in OLED fabrication and still allow optimal light transmission, according to the company.
In addition, the system should be amenable to high-volume-manufacturing processes that will drive down cost.
