It's not exactly easy to make OLED TVs, which also makes them kind of expensive. DuPont Displays wants to change all of that.
According to Technology Review, DuPont has unveiled a new process that will make OLED manufacturing a lot easier and cheaper. Using a special printer from Japanese manufacturer Dainippon Screen and DuPont's inks, the method can pump out a 50-inch OLED TV in under two minutes. Even better, the TVs are actually built to last -- at least for 15 years.
Currently the cheapest OLED TV available to the general public (or soon to be) is a a 15-incher from LG. That teeny TV costs a whopping $2725. That's because today's OLED manufacturing relies on a process called "shadow-mask evaporation" which is very precise, and very expensive. That's fine and all, but considering how you can get about four super-sized LCD TVs for the same price, OLED is hard to justify.
According to DuPont, the OLED Printing method is a good alternative to traditional OLED manufacturing techniques. It promises to be far more inexpensive, but admittedly the technology is still in its testing phase. DuPont seems to be addressing some of the issues with the Dainippon system. The new printer "generates a continuous stream of ink," and the ink is comprised of "active molecules" which makes for a quicker and cleaner manufacturing process. DuPont intends to license the technology to display manufacturers.
Other companies, such as Universal Display Corporation, Kateeva, Germany's Merck and Japan's Sumitomo Chemical, are also working on OLED inks, as an alternative to traditional OLED manufacturing techniques.
[editor's note: I hope they get this working soon as we really need to redecorate my daughter's room, and some OLED HDTV wallpaper would be a nice touch]
Also Check Out:
