The Flexible Display Center at Arizona State University and Universal Display Corp. recently announced a breakthrough in advancing displays with organic light-emitting diodes.

The partners announced that they had successfully used Universal Display’s phosphorescent OLEDs on a plastic sheet. The new product is capable of converting 100 percent of its energy into light, compared with 25 percent for standard OLEDs.

The 4.1-inch monochrome monitor is lower-resolution than most contemporary displays. “There are a number of barriers to overcome before commercializing flexible OLEDs,” said Nick Colaneri, the center’s director. “However, the FDC has developed manufacturing consistent approaches to address some of the barriers.”
And the target market will be military and commercial applications that require rugged displays, according to him.

“Together, the FDC and Universal Display have demonstrated technology paths which will accelerate the introduction of exciting new flexible OLED displays on plastic substrates,” said Mike Hack, vice president of strategic product development at Universal Display.

ASU Flexible Display Center opened in 2004 under a five-year agreement with the U.S. Army, which was extended for another five years earlier this year.