Smartkem and AUO collaborate on rollable µLED displays
Smartkem, a UK developer of organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), has partnered with AUO, the largest display manufacturer in Taiwan, to jointly develop the world's first advanced rollable, transparent microLED display using Smartkem’s technology.
Smartkem's chairman and CEO Ian Jenk says its technology has the potential to take today’s microLED TVs from high end market prices of $100,000 down to mass market prices. “Because our transistors are processed at such a low temperature compared to other technologies, we are able to pour them directly on top of the microLEDs, completely eliminating the problematic mass transfer and laser welding processes required with other technologies, " explained Jenks.
"The key feature that enables the development of this microLED display is our unique low temperature process that allows the use of low-cost, flexible plastic rather than glass. We believe that, if successful, this collaboration will be a significant milestone for Smartkem in its road to commercialisation, and for microLED display product development using our technology.”
Wei-Lung Liau, CTO of AUO, commented, “AUO has dedicated years to developing the ultimate microLED display technology, forging alliances with ecosystem partners to enable mass production. In this collaboration, AUO has developed groundbreaking technologies that boost the high transparency and free-form in applications of MicroLED. With proprietary materials from Smartkem and the OTFT production process from ITRI, we are collaboratively developing the world’s first rollable microLED display for potential commercialisation with cost advantage. We believe this will create new opportunities for the display industry and continue to expand value chain partner cooperation and influence.”
Display analyst and DSCC (Display Supply Chain Consultants) CEO, Ross Young, commented, “This is an exciting project that, if successful, will demonstrate the cost effectiveness of Smartkem’s technology in the most demanding of microLED applications, and could generate substantial market interest.”
The project between Smartkem and AUO will commence on January 1, 2025. The collaboration has been awarded a grant from the 2024 Taiwan-UK Research & Development Collaboration, supported by The Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs and Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The 2024 UK-Taiwan Collaborative R&D Initiative has invested more than £10 million this year to promote bilateral industrial technology research and development cooperation. The nine award-winning projects will promote the joint development of advanced technologies in fields such as electrical information communication, biomedicine, and electromechanical by Taiwan-UK enterprises.
