Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) showcased its ultra small pitch size Micro LED display module at CES this year. The Micro LED display was the world first display manufactured by directly transfer micron size RGB chips on to PCB backplane. LEDinside interviewed Chih-I Wu, General Director of Eletronics and Optoelectronic System Research Laboratories at ITRI, to learn ITRI’s technology progresses in Micro LED and its goal for the next stage.

(Chih-I Wu, General Director of Eletronics and Optoelectronic System Research Laboratories at ITRI,)

Micro LED Technology Features of ITRI
According to Wu, the Micro LED display demonstrated at CES marked the establishment of ITRI in Micro LED and mass transfer, particularly with red LED. Due to its material features, red LEDs often have problems in fragile structure and wavelength uniformity, leading to poor production yield. Also, weakened structure design and static electricity are also challenges for Micro LED companies.

ITRI has successfully overcome most of the technological bottlenecks in Micro LED with its blue and green LED achieving yield of over 99.9% when powered and red LED yield was increased to 99% with continuous improvement.

For Micro LED testing, repairing and full-color, ITRI also developed multiple solutions with its internal collaboration. As a critical research institute in Taiwan, ITRI gathered elites in different disciplines. Researches on Micro LED was benefitted with internal cross-discipline integration in ITRI. For example, experts at Electronic and Optoelectronic System Research Laboratories and Center for Measurement Standards have worked together to adopt e-beam inspection, multi-channel EL testing and other testing solutions. Their result was fruitful.

Moreover, Electronic and Optoelectronic System Research Laboratories also teamed up with Material and Chemical Research Laboratories to develop full color Micro LED solutions. The integration of internal resources and professionals from different research fields formed the edge of ITRI in pushing Micro LED technology development.

The Next Goal of ITRI
Wu also addressed that the Micro LED display module showcased at CES 2020 was the result of the collaboration between ITRI, LED driver IC company Macroblock, PCB maker Unimicron and chip producer PlayNitride.

Micro LED display module by ITRI, Macroblock, Unimicron, PlayNitride

In the future, ITRI will also turn to glass and flexible PI backplane development. Wu was optimistic about automotive display and is currently working on adopting transparent Micro LED for automotive applications including windshield or display with signal function. Furthermore, with the development of autonomous cars and driverless cars, Micro LED display technology can also serve for entertainment uses with sunroof or side windows. More new applications and potential market can also be included in the future by combining display and sensing components.

ITRI has high expectation on the development and potential of Micro LED technology and opened a technology platform for more collaboration opportunities with global players interested in Micro LED technology. ITRI aims to build partnerships and interacts with companies in different areas to create innovative applications.

Original article by Roger Chu / Research Vice President of LEDinside, Trendforce. Edited and translated by Yining Chen / LEDinside