Washington, D.C. – DuPont, Sarnoff Corp. and Bell Labs have agreed to develop new organic-thin film transistor (organic-TFT) technology on plastic substrates in a three-year research initiative sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Advanced Technology Program.

DuPont Displays research and development leader Dalen Keys said organic-TFTs could offer major advances in commercializing future generation flexible display devices such as full-color polymer-based active matrix OLED (AM-OLED) displays.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Lucent Technologies’ Bell Labs, a pioneer in organic thin film transistors, will be subcontracted to develop a new class of organic-TFT materials and design processes, Keys said. The technical collaboration combines Bell Labs know-how with DuPont expertise in OLED display panels, flexible substrates, cost-effective printing and organic-TFT technologies, and Sarnoff's expertise in active matrix TFT designs and video display systems.

Using advanced polymer materials, OLEDs produce bright, high-contrast display panels with fast refresh rates and a wide viewing angle. OLED panels are emissive, eliminating the need for the backlight required in display technologies such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Their striking appearance and thin profile will help many manufacturers differentiate their products.

"Today the development of a cost-effective back plane technology on flexible substrate represents a formidable challenge," said Keys. "With the combined skills, knowledge and capabilities of all three organizations, this partnership has the potential to revolutionize the displays industry."