USDC and Applied Materials Collaborate to Develop Advanced Films for
Next Generation Display Products
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Display Consortium (USDC), a public/private partnership
chartered with developing the flat panel display and flexible
electronics supply chain, today announced a cost-shared contract award
with Applied Materials, Inc. to develop metal-oxide films for
next-generation thin-film transistors (TFTs). Oregon State University
(OSU), a pioneer in transparent electronics, will work with Applied’s
Display Business Group-AKT, in this USDC-sponsored program, bringing
together the U.S. government, private industry and university research
to enable critical innovations for future display technology.
The R&D program will address two main challenges for future displays —
to significantly improve device performance and reduce display cost per
area. New metal-oxide films are one of the promising disruptive
technologies for next-generation panels since they have higher electron
mobility and the potential to reduce costs through lower temperature
processing. Metal oxide films are also expected to be used for
fabricating flexible displays and backplanes for OLED applications.
“The exponential growth of the display
industry has been driven by continuous improvements in performance and
cost,” stated Gilad Almogy, group vice
president and general manager of Applied Materials’
Display and Thin Film Solar Products Group. “Applied
has always been an industry leader and an enabler of emerging thin-film
semiconductor technologies. I am happy to launch this new development
program expanding our technology portfolio, which is expected to further
contribute to the growing applications for digital information displays.”
“USDC is pleased to have the team of Applied
Materials and OSU working together to resolve fundamental issues in the
manufacturing of displays,” commented Dr.
Mark Hartney, USDC’s chief technology
officer. “This is a very strong partnership,
bringing together OSU’s leading–edge
R&D in transparent electronics and AKT/Applied Materials’
world-class technology development capability.”
“I congratulate Applied Materials in
receiving this competitively-bid contract award from USDC to provide
solutions for the manufacture of displays and other innovative products,”
said Representative Mike Honda (CA, 15th District). “This
award represents exciting R&D being conducted in Silicon Valley for
emerging display applications. Applied Materials has an exceptional
history of developing technology that strengthens California’s
economic base.”
The USDC program is expected to take a year to complete. Additional
support will be provided by the U.S. Army’s
Flexible Display Center at Arizona State University.
About USDC
USDC is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common
platform for flat panel display and flexible electronics manufacturers
and developers, integrators, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San
Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary
mission is to identify and manage R&D projects and share results with
USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel
among industry, government and the financial communities; sponsors
forums to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates
consumers on the importance of emerging technology. More information
about the USDC can be found at www.usdc.org
and www.fpoelectronics.org.
About Applied Materials, Inc.
About Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in
Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with
a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products
for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar
photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At
Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the
way people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
