ASU engineers help advance flexible electronics technology

May 18, 2011

A major advance in the performance and production of flexible electronics technology has been made by the Flexible Display Center at Arizona State University and the Universal Display Corporation.<separator></separator>Together they’ve fabricated prototypes of full-color, flexible active matrix organic light-emitting diode displays using a new manufacturing process.<separator></separator>It’s a big step toward inexpensive and environmentally safe manufacture of thinner, more lightweight and bendable mobile computers and other information and communications devices, said Flexible Display Center director Nicholas Colaneri.<separator></separator>The achievement is the result of combining Universal Display’s full-color, top-emission phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode materials and technology with a manufacturing process developed by Flexible Display Center researchers.<separator></separator>The center’s bond/de-bond method can be used with a variety of high-performance plastic materials as a substrate – or platform – on which electronic circuits can be fabricated.<separator></separator>The method works in concert with Universal Display’s single-layer encapsulation technology, which provides a barrier to protect electronic display devices from moisture, oxygen and other environmental factors that can hinder the performance of the devices.<separator></separator>The success of the project with Universal Display validates the effectiveness of the bond/de-bond production process, making it a leading option for use in mass production of flexible electronics, Colaneri said.<separator></separator>Faculty members and students in ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering contributed to research leading to the advances.<separator></separator>Jesmin Haq, who recently earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering, helped develop the bond/de-bond process that enables the manufacture of electronic devices directly on flexible plastic substrates.<separator></separator>Michael Marrs, a Flexible Display Center staff member who is pursuing a master’s degree in chemical engineering, has been working on the deposition and etching of materials used in making high-performance electronic devices.<separator></separator>Additional contributions were made by electrical engineering professor David Allee and students working under his direction.<separator></separator>Supported through a 10-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Army, the Flexible Display Center is working with more the 30 industry partners to develop and deploy high-performance flexible electronic technologies for the U.S. military and for commercialization by industry.<separator></separator>Universal Display is a leader in development and delivery of state-of-the-art organic light-emitting device technologies, materials and services to the electronic display and lighting industries.<separator></separator>Learn more:<separator></separator>• Universal Display Corporation <a href="http://www.universaldisplay.com/downloads/Press%20Releases/2011/05.16.1… release</a>.<separator></separator>• Information about the <a href="http://www.flexdiplay.asu.edu/">Flexible Display Center</a> and <a href="http://www.universaldisplay.com/">Universal Display Corporation</a><separator></separator>• <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1889/JSID18.11.884">Details about the the bond/de-bond process</a> developed at the Flexible Display Center

Engineering Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering