FlexEnable and Merck collaborate to enable novel display shapes using flexible LCDs

Combining Felxenables' OTFT flexible backplanes with Mercks' polymer wall technology allows LCD frontplanes to be bent into complex structures and shapes

16 May 2017 | Editor

FlexEnable has announced they are partnering with Merck to enable novel display shapes, building on FlexEnable's recent developments with conformable, large area, full colour and video rate OLCDs.

According to the announcement organic LCDs can already satisfy the market needs for new use cases, for example in automotive applications, where bright, reliable, conformable and shapeable displays are required.

By combining FlexEnable's high-performance organic thin-film transistors with Merck's innovative polymer wall LC technology organic LCDs can be curved around even more complex surfaces and shapes, and achieve a bend radius that goes below 30 mm. These polymer walls can enhance cell-gap control while providing excellent display performance. Organic LCDs can be manufactured on conventional production lines.

Chuck Milligan, CEO of FlexEnable, said, "FlexEnable's breakthrough with low cost conformable plastic LCDs has opened up several exciting avenues for innovation that allow LCDs to be thinner and more flexible, with high manufacturing yield and low cost. Polymer wall technology will allow LCD frontplanes to be bent into more complex structures and shapes, further unlocking the benefits of truly flexible, low cost OTFT backplane technology for applications including automotive, consumer electronics and digital signage. We are excited to collaborate with Merck on making novel display shapes a real option for designers."

Mark Verrall, Head of Research & Development in the Display Materials business unit of Merck, said, "The production of free-form and flexible LC displays on plastic substrates will open up an entire new range of applications and opportunities in the display market. The technology developed by FlexEnable demonstrates a breakthrough in this field, and we at Merck are very pleased to be the key materials partner to enable this exciting development. Merck continues to develop the highest performance materials for this application, including advanced Liquid Crystal materials designed especially for plastic LCD applications, and a full range of materials for organic TFT manufacture."

About Flexenable

FlexEnable has pioneered the world’s first flexible electronics technology platform that allows electronics made of organic materials to be manufactured on flexible plastic film, the thickness of a sheet of paper.

Compatible with existing manufacturing lines, it is the key to truly flexible and cost effective electronics over large and small surfaces. The core applications of this technology are glass-free, flexible displays and sensors that enable game-changing products across a variety of industries including consumer electronics, mobile, wearables, automotive, medical and security.

FlexEnable's customers include OEMs, component manufacturers and materials suppliers. The company offers a comprehensive range of services-based packages for its technology platform including: ProductEnable MaterialsEnable and FabEnable.

Source: Flexenable

About Merck

Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2015, Merck generated sales of € 12.85 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, holds the global rights to the Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

Source: Merck