Applied works on flexible displays with Arizona State U

Applied expects to achieve digital display breakthroughs with the partnership.

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing Editor, News -- Electronic News, 11/20/2008

Applied Materials Inc today announced it is working with Arizona State University's Flexible Display Center (FDC) on TFT (thin film transistor) R&D and commercialization acceleration efforts.

Applied is doing so through its display business group, for which the Santa Clara, Calif-based company recently recorded fiscal 2008 sales and order increases in a somewhat difficult overall year at the capital equipment maker. The business' sales climbed to $976 million from $705 million in fiscal 2007, and new orders increased from 2007's $273 million to $1.48 billion.

“Successful growth of the display industry will require continuous technology and process development to improve performance and reduce cost per area,” said Gilad Almogy, senior VP and general manager of Applied's display business and thin film solar products group, in a statement. “Through this alliance, we expect to achieve new breakthroughs that will broaden our technology portfolio and contribute to the expanding applications for digital displays.”

Applied joined the FDC -- a government, university, and academia partnership, charged with advancing the development and commercialization of full-color flexible electronic display technologies -- as an associate member.

Formed through a 10-year cooperative agreement between the US Army and Arizona State University, the FDC also partners with other providers of advanced display technology, materials, and process equipment including LG Display, HP, E Ink, Universal Display, DuPont Teijin Films, EV Group. FDC further works with display technology integrators such as General Dynamics, Raytheon, Boeing, Honeywell, and L3 Communications.

“Over the past five years, the Flexible Display Center has created a proven collaborative partnership model with over 20 engaged industry members,” said Gregory B. Raupp, FDC director, said in the statement. “In only a few short months we have initiated collaboration with Applied Materials that enables Applied to test its industry-leading thin film deposition technology using FDC’s world-class infrastructure and to produce first versions of a new advanced thin film transistor technology for flexible displays. We look forward to working with Applied on R&D and commercialization acceleration efforts.”

Applied also has an existing research and development agreement with Oregon State University on TFT flat-panel display and flexible electronics.