These slides use concepts from my (Jeff Funk) course entitled analyzing hi-tech opportunities to analyze how the economic feasibility of flexible OLED displays are becoming better through newer and thinner materials, roll-to roll printing, and larger production equipment. Thinner materials along with new materials increase flexibility, reduce moisture permeation and thus increase the lifetime, and reduce cost. Flexibility enables displays that conform to complex shaped things such as wrists and backpacks and that can be fit inside pens and other tubes. Along with other technologies, this further facilitates information access.

1. Chua Pei Pei Pauline - A0098566J
Sneha Shashi Kumar - A0102912W
Chan Yue Ming - A0098453U
Edwin Gerard Lam - A0098404B
Nivali Chenreddy - A0102885A

2. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Challenges of Flexible OLED
Materials & Process - Improvisation
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs
Conclusion

3. Evolution of Display Technologies
Lumpish CRT to Flexible Display – Source - http://jilinudt.com/english/Solutions.html
Introduction to Flexible OLED

4. Introduction to OLED
An OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is a light-emitting diode (LED) in which
the emissive electroluminescent layer is a film of organic compound which emits
light in response to an electric current.
 Substrate
 Anode layer
 Organic layers
 Cathode layer
 Encapsulation layer
Layers of OLED
Introduction to Flexible OLED

5. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Basic Principle of OLED
1) Cathode (-)
2) Emissive Layer
3) Emission of Radiation
4) Conductive Layer
5) Anode (+)
The flow of light emission can be
illustrated by the concept of a person
going down the big slide.
Introduction to Flexible OLED

6. Comparison with OLED and LCD
Parameters OLED LCD
Color Brightness &
Contrast
Black Point/ Turning Pixels Off
Incredible Contrast
Source: http://www.smallhd.com/products/ac7/oled-vs-lcd-on-camera-field-monitors.html
Introduction to Flexible OLED

7. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Comparison with OLED and LCD
Parameters OLED LCD
Color Brightness &
Contrast
Power Consumption
Viewing Angle
Lower Power Consumption
Better View Angle
No constant burning backlight in OLED Viewing Angle of 165°
technology
Source: http://archive.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30650/article.htm
Introduction to Flexible OLED

8. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Comparison with OLED and LCD
Parameters OLED LCD
Color Brightness &
Contrast
Power Consumption
Viewing Angle
Cost
OLED
Displays
 Relative Cost difference between OLED
LCD, White OLED and Red-Green- Lighting
Blue OLED
 Producing large OLED panels is still
very expensive - low yields and high
material costs. LCD
Source: OLED-Info, Aug 9,2012
Introduction to Flexible OLED

9. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Comparison with OLED and LCD
Parameters OLED LCD
Color Brightness &
Contrast
Power Consumption
Viewing Angle
Cost
Lifespan
 Lifespan
LCD OLED
60,000hrs Red – 46,000hrs, Green –
2,30,000hrs, Blue – 14,000hrs
Source: http://www.differencebetween.info/difference-between-lcd-and-oled
Introduction to Flexible OLED

10. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Introduction to Flexible OLED
Flexible OLED is a type of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) incorporating a
flexible plastic /glass substrate on which the electroluminescent organic
semiconductor is deposited.
How is flexible OLED different from OLED??
 Flexible substrate
 Electrode material
 Encapsulation process
Introduction to Flexible OLED

11. Concept Video- 3M Flexible Display
Introduction to Flexible OLED

12. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Roadmap for Flexible Display
Resolution
Lifespan
Area
Source: http://www.3neo.org/rs/297/d112d6ad-54ec-438b-9358-4483f9e98868/e70/filename/workshopmadrid-cros.pdf
Introduction to Flexible OLED

13. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Challenges of Flexible OLED
Materials & Process - Improvisation
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs
Conclusion
Challenges of OLED

14. Challenges of Flexible OLEDs
Efficiency
Lifespan/
Reliability
Large Area
Devices
Cost
Challenges of OLED

15. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Challenges of Flexible OLED
Materials & Process - Improvisation
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs
Conclusion
Materials & Process - Improvisation

16. Materials & Process
Material & Process - Improvisation
Improving Improving
Materials Process
Substrate Cost of
Manufacturing
Lifespan
Bigger/More
Fabrication
Electrode Plants
Materials & Process - Improvisation

17. Materials Improvisation
OLED Material Cost Targets
Integrated
Substrate
Target by 2015
Integrated Substrate <
$52/sq.m
Organics < $10/sq.m
Encapsulation < $20/sq.m
Source: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/maikowski_enablers_longbeach2013.pdf
Materials Improvisation

18. Materials Improvisation
Flexible Substrate
Properties of Flexible Substrates:
 Flexibility – Stiffness vs. Thickness
 Mechanical, Thermal, and Dimensional
Stability
 Surface Roughness & Optical Transparency
 Moisture Absorption
Properties Polymide PEN Flexible Glass  Depends on
Max Process Temp (0C) 350 180 600
various
applications
Transparency Low Good Excellent
Surface Roughness Medium Medium Excellent
CTE (ppm/0C) 16 40 5
Moisture Absorption Low Medium None
Cost Medium Medium High
CTE – Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
Materials Improvisation

19. Materials Improvisation
Flexible Substrate - Thickness
 As the thickness of the
glass decreases it becomes
more flexible.
 Polymer has less stiffness
even though if the thickness
of it is high comparatively.
Source: Corning_AIMCAL_2011.pdf
Schott – 25 & 50 µm thick Flexible glass
Nippon Electric Glass – 100 µm thick Flexible glass
Corning – 50 -200 µm thick Flexible glass
Varied Thickness allows different type of applications.
Materials Improvisation

20. Materials Improvisation
Flexible Substrate - Mechanical Reliability
 When a glass of thickness 50µm is bent at some radius
the Stress on the glass is lower than 500µm or 100µm.
 The failure probability is low when the glass is thinner
and can be made more flexible.
Need of Ultra thin glass for the substrate.
Source : Corning_AIMCAL_2011.pdf - www.corning.com/WorkArea/downloadasset.aspx?id=48957
Materials Improvisation

21. Materials Improvisation
Flexible Substrate - Thermal & Dimensional Stability
Flexible Substrate benefits Thermal & Dimensional Stability
Device Fabrication
 Thermal Stability
 Dimensional Stability
Glass exhibits same Stress & Strain at
250C and 1500C when compared with
PEN & Polymide.
At higher temperatures Glass does not
change it shape or size but Plastic has
distortions.
Glass is more thermally & dimensionally stable compared to plastic substrates
Source : Corning_AIMCAL_2011.pdf - www.corning.com/WorkArea/downloadasset.aspx?id=48957
Materials Improvisation

22. Materials Improvisation
Flexible Substrate - Device Performance Optimization
Flexible Substrate Benefits
Device Performance
 Surface Roughness
 Optical Transmission
Peak to valley (Rpv)
Surface Roughness
Average Surface
Roughness (Ra)
Glass exhibits less surface roughness Glass - Transmission of light is more
compared to others
Source: Corning_AIMCAL_2011.pdf - www.corning.com/WorkArea/downloadasset.aspx?id=48957
Materials Improvisation

23. Materials Improvisation
Ultra Slim Glass, Plastic & Rigid Glass Substrates
Advantages
Over Thicker Glass: Over Plastic:
 Perfect Barrier
 More Flexible
 Superior Surface Quality
 7 x reduction in weight
 ~7% Better transparency
 7 x reduction in thickness
 High Temperature processing >500 oC
 ~50% process cost reduction by R2R
Source: 2012 SID Exhibitor Forum (Dipak).pdf
Materials Improvisation

24. Materials Improvisation
Cost of Glass & PEN Substrates
 Target Price for Flexible Glass - $20 per sq.m
 PEN Substrate : $ 8 – 10 per sq.m
Popular Glass Substrates Manufacturers for Displays
Source: http://fennagain.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/ito-and-flexible-glass-substrates-3/
Materials Improvisation

25. Materials Improvisation
OLED Lifespan challenge
OLED degrades overtime due to:
 Intrinsic degradation of organic polymer
- More stable and efficient molecules needed
- Requires a barrier to prevent the flow of water or gas entering.
 Electrode oxidation
- Requires a barrier to prevent the flow of water or gas entering
Black spots caused by permeation
Black spots grow in time
Source : HolstCenter – Future of Flexible OLEDs
Materials Improvisation

26. Materials Improvisation
Ultra-good barrier needed
Very low permeation rate in
flexible OLED:
- 10-6 g/m2/day of WVTR
- 10-6 to 10-3 cm3/m2/day of OTR
 Increase Lifespan by 10,000
hours
 Barriers in production: glass or metal
flip
Barriers in OLED is 1 million times
stronger than typical package of a
potato chips!
Source : HolstCenter – Future of Flexible OLEDs
Materials Improvisation

27. Materials Improvisation
Permeation rate of different Substrates
WVTR – Water Vapour Transmission Rate, OTR – Oxygen
Water Vapor and Oxygen Transmission Rates of various materials
Transmission Rate
used as Substrates
Material WVTR g/m2/day OTR g/m2/day
PET 3.9 – 17 1.7 - 7.7
PEN 7.3 3.0
15 nm Al/PET 0.18 0.2 - 2.9
SiOx/PET 0.007 – 0.03
ORMOCER/PET 0.07
OLED Requirement 10-6 10-6 to 10-3
Source: IDTechEx
Materials Improvisation

28. Materials Improvisation
Comparison of Different Barrier Type
Barrier Type WVTR OTR Strengths Weaknesses
g/m2/day Cm3/m2/day
Polymer 10-1 to 102 10-1 -10 Excellent clarity Expensive
(no barrier) Flexible and tough Low performance
WVTR can change
abruptly
Ceramic 10o – 10-2 3x10-1 Good Clarity Brittle in tension
Coated Somewhat flexible Cannot creased
Polymer
Multilayer 10-3 – 10-6 10-1 – 10-4 Good Clarity Brittle in tension
Ceramic Somewhat flexible Cannot creased
coated High cost for > 2
polymer layers
Glass zero zero Transparent Not used in Roll-
Scratch resistant to- roll
Source: http://www.flexcon.com/Resource-
Center/~/media/Files/PDFs/Website/Resource%20Center/White%20Papers/Combining%20Barrier%20Technology%20with%20Other%20Important%2
0Properties%20in%20Flexible%20Electronics.ashx
Materials Improvisation

29. Materials Improvisation
Lifespan using Multilayer Ceramic Film
Multilayer Film – Single Material Multilayer Flim – Different Materials
 Up to 3 dyads of SiOx/Parylene  SiOx/Al2O3/Parylene
 SiNx/Al2O3/Parylene
> 7500 Hours > 7500 Hours
Source: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/pvrw2010_graham.pdf
Materials Improvisation

30. Materials Improvisation
Flexible Electrode Material
Improvement for Electrode (Anode and Cathode layer)
 Transmittance
 Luminance Efficiency
Graphene
Indium Tin Oxide
Electrodes (G) –
(ITO) - Current
Future
 Brittle & inferior  More flexible and
flexibility higher efficiencies
 Resistance increases  Fabrication &
at low temperature processing cost is
 Expensive to integrate high and
into displays complicated
Materials Improvisation

31. Materials Improvisation
Electrode Transmittance
Graphene films have higher Transmittance over a wider wavelength range
with respect to SWNT films, metallic films and ITO
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/pdf/graphene-presentations/0-3-ferrari-21032011_en.pdf
Materials Improvisation

32. Materials Improvisation
Electrode - Luminous Efficiency
Luminance Efficiency of
Phosphorescent OLED
Electrode Luminance Efficiency
(lm/W)
Graphene 102.7
(4L – G-
HNO3)
ITO 85.6
Graphene Electrode has higher luminous efficiency than the ITO electrode
and hence the better.
Source: http://home.skku.edu/~femlab/publications/2012/nphoton.2011.318.pdf
Materials Improvisation

33. Materials Improvisation
Price of ITO (Electrode material)
~$600 /Kg
Source: http://www.bishop-hill.net/blog/2012/3/9/running-out-of-natural-resources.html
Materials Improvisation

34. Materials Improvisation
Price of Graphene (Electrode material)
 Graphene meets electrical and optical requirements
 The fracture strain of graphene is ten times higher than that of ITO.
 Advantages over ITO – Mechanical flexibility, chemical durability, good barrier
Chemical Vapour
Disposition Process
$ 1K – 99K per Kg
( quality vs. price)
Roll to Roll – mass
production has potential to
reduce operational costs by
70-80% at scale
Source: A roadmap for graphene - http://lib.semi.ac.cn:8080/download/2012/11/15/110603.pdf
http://www.ornl.gov/adm/partnerships/events/Dec_Spark/Speight_Graphene%20v5.pdf
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/825094072/Graphene_chemical_.html
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0912/0912.5485.pdf

35. Process Improvisation
Roll to Roll Process Cost
 Lower the cost of manufacturing of display
 Cost per square foot of OLED are expected to decline with increase in volume
Active Matrix OLED
Passive Matrix OLED
Projected Cost
AMOLED - $74 per sqft
 Minimum Efficient Scale – 20,000 square feet
 Achieve a cost of $74 per square feet at a capacity of 100,000 square feet
per week
Source: http://people.ccmr.cornell.edu/~cober/mse542/page2/files/Flex%20Manufacturing%20Concepts.pdf
Process Improvisation

36. Process Improvisation
Future Fabs for Flexible OLED Displays
Pilot/Mass Production
 8-Gen (2200x2500mm)
Plants in next 2yrs:
fab & 6.5 Gen fab –
AMOLED displays
3.5-Gen (730 × 460
mm) flexible
OLED production line.
Process Improvisation

37. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Challenges of Flexible OLED
Materials & Process - Improvisation
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs
Conclusion
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs

38. Opportunities for Flexible OLED
Flexible OLED Ecosystem
 OLED Display Makers
Opportunities for producing
AMOLED and PMOLED displays
 Chemical Companies
Produce materials used in OLED
production-emissive layers,
transport layers, conductive inks,
doping materials etc.
 Manufacturing Equipment
Develop research and
production of OLED equipment
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs

39. Opportunities for Flexible OLED
Flexible OLED Ecosystem
 Research/ IP Companies
OLED Research and Technology
services
 OLED Retailors
Sales of display, modules and other
services
 OLED Lighting
OLED is set to revolutionize the
lighting industry with all small
and big players
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs

40. Opportunities for Flexible OLED
Complementary Opportunities to Flexible OLED
Stretchable Batteries Flexible Electronics
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs

41. Opportunities for Flexible OLED
From flexible to conformable
 For 3-D surfaces
 Platform for large area conformable electronics
Could this be the future??
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs

42. Opportunities for Flexible OLED
Applications: Prototypes and Products
Samsung, Microsoft
• Hype on new ‘Youm’ Flexible OLED display
Sharp
• Flexible OLED prototypes
Sony
• "Rollable" OTFT - driven OLED Display that can wrap around a Pencil
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs

43. Opportunities for Flexible OLED
Applications - Navigation or Military
 Navigation
Maps (or even photo albums) could
be made from bendable media cards
 Military
Researchers at HP are expected to
deliver a Dick Tracey wrist watch to
the US army
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs

44. Opportunities for Flexible OLED
Applications: Ultra Thin Rollable OLED
 Flexible OLEDs can be manufactured akin to newspapers on a printing press
 Creating innovative pens with displays
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs

45. Opportunities for Flexible OLED
Other Applications
 Manufacturing car roofs, car tails and car windows
 Designing OLED costumes
 Headsets with OLEDs
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs

46. Introduction to Flexible OLED
Challenges of Flexible OLED
Materials & Process - Improvisation
Opportunities for Flexible OLEDs
Conclusion
Conclusion

47. Conclusion
Flexible OLED Challenges of Flexible OLED
Substrate
Cost of
Manufacturing
Electrode
Bigger/More
Fabrication Plants
Lifespan
Materials & Process Improvisation Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Conclusion

48. Opportunities for Guys…

49. Q&A