Application of Color Flexible Displays

The goal of this U.S. Army CECOM SBIR Program is to design, develop, and demonstrate an Active Matrix Flexible Color Display for use in a variety of military applications, providing a significant size and weight reduction over traditional displays.Universal Display Corporation (UDC) is developing advanced organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology based on their proprietary high-efficiency phosphorescent devices, in addition to transparent and flexible OLED displays. The novel integration ofUDC's low power consumption top emitting phosphorescent OLED technology, and a poly-Si backplane deposited on a thin flexible stainless steel foil substrate is the best solution to meeting the Army's flexible display requirements.In Phase I we propose to collaborate with the Army to define the high level mechanical, electrical and system display requirements. This will be followed by a detailed display design, a feasibility analysis and mechanical mock-up, and a proposedfabrication process flow highlighting areas requiring technology development. Finally we will propose a test plan to be used to assess the performance of the Phase II display deliverable.To the best of our knowledge, our proposed strategy to demonstrate a flexible AMOLED display will represent the first display demonstration of these novel technologies. The successful outcome of this Program will create myriad benefits in a variety of potential military and commercial applications. It will provide the U.S Army with a clearly demonstrated technology path for flexible displays for a range applications foruse in vehicles, command centers, and being carried by soldiers. Beyond current U.S. Army application, flexible displays are increasingly being considered for in a range of industrial, medical and consumer applications. For example, these include avionicand automotive applications for conformed instrument panel displays, and consumer cell phones with roll-out high information content OLED displays. Moreover, replacing glass with steel foil substrates improves safety, ruggedness and reduces weight, allextremely attractive features for these applications. Display Search now projects a $4.2 billion market for OLEDs in 2007. By developing all the key technology components necessary to fabricate these displays, the UDC team, through the work under thisProgram, expects to commercialize these technologies for military and commercial applications through joint ventures and licensing partnerships with established flat panel display manufacturers.