Technical / Research - Page 80

New driving method could make OLED TVs cheaper and more efficient

Andrew Rinzler, professor of physics at the University of Florida has developed a new driving method for large OLED panels which basically brings the source and drain electrodes of a transistor closer together by stacking components on top of one another instead of side by side. The transistors are made from thin aluminum oxide film on a glass subtrate (as the drain electrode) and a layer of organic molecules as a channel. This enables good performance without the need for high-resolution lithography techniques. The new device also uses a tenth of the voltage of current OLEDs - which saves power.

Transistors on glassTransistors on glass

They haven't yet made a large-sized panel, but it should be possible with the new design. It can also be used to make flexible OLEDs. They are currently working to simplify the architecture in hope to bring down the cost and complexity even further.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 25,2010

Samsung's Galaxy S phone uses Corning's Gorilla glass

Corning says that Samsung is using their Gorilla glass in the Galaxy S phone. The glass is used as a protective layer for Samsung's Super-AMOLED display. Gorilla glass is an environmentally friendly alkali-aluminosilicate thin sheet glass that is both scratch resistant and durable.

Samsung Galaxy SSamsung Galaxy S

The Galaxy S has a 4" WVGA 800 X 480 Super-AMOLED display. AT&T is selling this phone for $49.99, calling it the Samsung Captivate. You can buy the Galaxy S unlocked for $599.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 24,2010

Samsung to release a new AMOLED display called 'AMOLED Plus'?

Update: Samsung has released another AMOLED-Plus phone, we're pretty sure this is simply a Super-AMOLED...

There are reports that Samsung plans to release a new phone soon, called Galaxy U. This is an Android phone for the Korean market (CDMA network). Interestingly, the display (3.7", 480x800) is an "AMOLED Plus". So this might be just a bad translation of a "Super-AMOLED" (or the local branding in Korea?). Or maybe Samsung has actually a new AMOLED type?

Back in July, Samsung said they will soon double their AMOLED efficiency, lifetime and power consumption. It's not likely that those displays are ready, but maybe that's what the 'plus' is all about...

Read the full story Posted: Aug 20,2010

Samsung to use transparent AMOLEDs in optical camera viewfinders?

There's a leaked Samsung document describing a new camera opto-electronic viewfinder (E-OVF) system that uses a transparent AMOLED panel. The AMOLED has a 800x533 resolution and supports 240Hz. The idea is to combine the AMOLED with an optical viewfinder - so you'll actually see the camera information (metering, battery level, etc.) while enjoying the good image in the viewfinder.

Back in February, we learned that Samsung is strongly into transparent AMOLEDs, and want to introduce several new products that use this technology. People often wonder what's the use of transparent displays, and an optical-viewfinder-with-an-AMOLED is a great example!

Read the full story Posted: Aug 20,2010

Konica-Minolta to start making flexible OLEDs in 2010?

OLEDNet reports the Konica-Minolta plans to start mass production of flexible OLED lighting panels in 2010. Konica-Minolta is cooperating with GE on manufacturing technology. According to the report, Konica Minolta is using polymer materials and printing technologies. The materials are made by Sumitomo. The lifetime of Konica-Minolta’s products is estimated to be 3,000 hours or more with the brightness of 1,000 cd/m2.

We think that this is a bit optimistic... according to KM's own plans, the first plant is scheduled for March 2011. Just last month they re-iterated their plans to start making the flexible OLEDs in 2011, and we do not think this will qualify as 'mass production'. We also know that KM is using UDC's Small-Molecule Phosphorescent materials, but maybe they are also working with Sumitomo on Polymer based OLEDs.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 13,2010

TI introduces a new power-supply that improves AMOLED's picture quality

Texas Instruments introduced a new 200-mA dual output power supply that can improve the picture quality of AMOLED displays that require positive and negative supply rails. The TPS65137 uses a low dropout (LDO) post regulator for line and load transient response with minimum output voltage ripples to provide stable picture
quality. The input range is 2.3V to 5.5V and the size is 3mmx3mm.

The TPS65137 is available now and is priced at $0.85 in quantities of 1,000.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 12,2010

New low-cost OLED lighting project gets funding from the UK

A new project called TOPDRAWER (Thin organic prototypes, design, research, applications with end-user recognition) has secured funding from the UK government, and will start in early November and will run for 2.5 years. This is actually a followup project to TOPLESS, and is also lead by Thorn lighting.

TOPLESS project OLED lamp prototypeTOPLESS project OLED lamp prototype

The consortium will develop and demonstrate a printed manufacturing process that will be integrated into attractive designs that have been created through consultation with potential end-users. The manufacturing process will be proved and tested within PETEC, that will acquire and install a large-area coating line.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 08,2010

Samsung plans to use an 8-Gen line for OLED TVs "in the future"

Samsung are still keen on OLED TVs, which will be the "dominant technology in next-generation TVs by 2015". They will be the ultimate active-shutter 3D TVs. Samsung has plans to use an Gen 8 (2200mm x 2500mm sheet size) production line for the OLED TVs. There's no date or real commitment yet, but this will hopefully happen within the next few years.

Samsung 14-inch 3D OLED prototype

There are still some technical issues to overcome. For their upcoming 5.5-Gen plant, SMD plans to introduce LTPS TFTs using conventional excimer laser annealing (ELA). TFTs formed with this technology often exhibit variation in characteristics, and this method might prove difficult in larger line. SMD is also working on other technologies: improved ELA technology, sequential lateral solidification (SLS) and super grain silicon (SGS). The company is also developing oxide semiconductor TFTs.

Read the full story Posted: Jul 31,2010

Sony: 3D TV could become an important market for OLED displays

Sony's VP of solutions engineering in the US Pete Ludé says that 3D TV could become an important market for OLED displays. Sony says that while LED LCD 3D TV are effective, but only if the resolution and refresh rate is not too high. Active-Shutter 3D needs double the refresh rate (because it alternates between the two eyes), so 120fps needs a 240Hz TV - or higher. At these rates, OLEDs are easier to use. OLED displays also offer less crossover between the stereo images.

Sony 24.5-inch 3D OLED prototypeSony 24.5-inch 3D OLED prototype

Sony are looking into OLEDs, and are still enthusiastic about the technology, but are not yet committed to OLEDs as the technology of choice for long-term 3D displays. In CES 2010, Sony has demoed a 24.5" 3D OLED prototype (shown above).

Read the full story Posted: Jul 21,2010

Samsung plans to release plastic-based AMOLEDs by 2012

Samsung plans to launch new AMOLEDs on a plastic substrate within two years. They say that these new AMOLEDs will be 'unbreakable'. They will also be lighter, safer and thinner. These qualities can be useful in mobile phone displays, which will allow Samsung to keep their AMOLED price premium in these years. Samsung plans to place a TFT on the plastic panel and to replace the existing vinyl protection sheet with PI (polyimide) film to avoid residue upon light emission.





Samsung revealed flexible, unbreakable AMOLED prototypes back in 2009, see video above.


Read the full story Posted: Jul 20,2010