SmartKem has announced further details of an innovative project to accelerate the production of a new generation of display based products. FLEXTRANS is a two-year programme to support the transition to market of their truFLEX thin film transistor (TFT) platform for the manufacture of high performance active matrix display backplanes on glass or plastic.
Smartkem said that hrough a combination of intensive commercial technology transfer and the creation of pre-production prototypes, the EU-funded project will accelerate the market entry of this new benchmark in low power, ultra-thin and lightweight OLED and LC displays for wearable, mobile and computer based applications. These differentiated products have been forecast to be a key factor in driving high-growth in the global display industry, creating growth in the demand for European chemical, scientific and high-IP solutions.
The €2.65 million project – led by SmartKem – has unveiled a new website and brand: FLEXTRANS – Transferring Flexible Display Technology to Industry.
The website and branding are vital tools for informing project stakeholders, including public and private institutions, investors and the general public about the project’s progress. Both complement a wider communications plan which is driving brand awareness of the project and SmartKem’s innovative truFLEX TFT platform – the key enabler for FLEXTRANS’ goals – amongst the global display supply chain.
According to Smartkem announcement the FLEXTRANS website will be updated regularly with project news and details of events and speaking engagements. It will also act as a portal for queries about the programme.
FLEXTRANS is a multi-party project involving several European pioneers in the display industry. It is co funded by the Horizon 2020 programme of the European Union.
Dr. Mike Cowin, head of strategic marketing at SmartKem, said, "The name FLEXTRANS was chosen to reflect our aim – transferring European expertise to Asia in organic semiconductors for the manufacture of flexible displays to enable our commercial partners to scale up for this new standard in display production." Mike added, "We are delighted with the project’s progress and are pleased to launch the new website, which will prove an invaluable tool in keeping the display industry up to date with the latest advances in display technology."
FLEXTRANS
FLEXTRANS is an ambitious two-year project to accelerate the adoption of organic semiconductors as a universal thin film transistor (TFT) backplane platform enabling the production of a new generation of display based products.
FLEXTRANS is a commercially focused project that involves the development of an industrial grade organic TFT manufacture protocol and its transfer to display makers in Asia for the production of display demonstrators with commercial partners in the EU and Asia.
The clear objective of the FLEXTRANS project is to support and speed up the scale-up and widespread commercial adoption of organic semiconductors in display manufacturing.
This will be achieved by the development and transfer of the production protocols for Gen 2.5 backplane manufacture, to support the scaled production of organic TFT based liquid crystal (LC) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) based displays on glass and plastic, on existing customer display production lines across Asia.
The outcome of the project will reshape the display industry, enabling the production of ultra-thin, lightweight and conformal displays that consume half the power of traditional displays. This technology is expected to improve the user experience for millions of consumers as they interact with wearable, mobile and embedded displays throughout their daily life.
The FLEXTRANS project has received significant EU funding and financial backing from the lead partner, SmartKem. Other key stakeholders include display design and integration partners, the display industry supply chain and centres of excellence within the UK. Progress and advances in the project will be conveyed to private, public and political institutions, the scientific community, investors and the wider society.
This website is designed as a one-stop-shop for all stakeholders and members of the supply chain requiring information about the project and its progress. It complements a wider communications plan including regular reporting, technical conferences and social media.
Key project milestones, events and media coverage will be detailed on this site, which will also act as a landing page for stakeholder queries.
Source: FLEXTRANS website