3D-Micromac announced a new microLED mass transfer tool, called microCETI. The company says its new technology can be used to transfer over 130 million microLEDs per hour.
MicroCETI is based on a laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) process that can support almost any microLED material and shape. The tool also includes optional modules - a laser lift-off (LLO) module, and a single LED die repair module.
GE and Current Lighting Solutions have signed a collaboration agreement on small-size Potassium Fluorosilicate (PFS/KSF) phosphor for MiniLED and MicroLED applications. The two companies have a long-standing relationship in the world of PFS/KSF phosphor, and this new agreement extends their previous agreements.
The two companies will develop advanced versions of KSF Red Narrowband phosphor with material properties required to enable the use of these materials in advanced display technology such as emissive microLEDs. GE has the exclusive rights to license KSF technology for display applications and will work with display companies to license KSF technology into these advanced displays.
Researchers from King Abdullah's University of Science & Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia developed GaN and InGan red microLED devices that are highly efficient.
The researchers managed to increase the efficiency of their previous design by a new chemical treatment that removes damages at the microLED sidewalls (created during the fabrication process) and also retains the high crystal quality at the InGaN and GaN sidewall interfaces.
Omdia published a very interesting article, detailing the company's view on the microLED market - including its latest market forecast
Omdia sees 5 million microLED display shipping in 2025, which the company says will generate $7 billion in revenues. In 2027, the market will grow to over 11 million units. Omdia lowered its forecast from 2020 (back then it projected 16 million display shipments in 2027).
Last week we reported that Ennostar Incorporation (formed by a merger of Taiwan's Epistar and Lextar in 2020) demonstrated a 10.6" transparent microLED display at Touch Taiwan 2021. We now have more information on Lextar's new display prototype.
This square display features a 640x640 resolution (85 PPI) and uses LED chips that are <50 um in size. This is a TFT-based display (LTPS? we're not sure) that achieves a transparency of 61%, a brightness of 3,000 nits (peak value) and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Micro-LED and mini-LED developer Rohinni announced that the company has developed a new design for its miniLED composite bondhead, which now allows multiple bondheads to run in parallel. Rohinni says it has been able to accelerate its miniLED deposition speed 14X compared to 'competing technologies'.
With the new system, Rohinni demonstrated >99.999% placement yield and scalability at speeds< greater than 100 die per second. said that it developed a new placement technology for mini-LED that doubles the placement speed compared to its previous technology.
Ennostar Incorporation (formed by a merger of Taiwan's Epistar and Lextar in 2020) published this nice video that showcases the company's latest technology demonstrated at Touch Taiwan 2021:
Lextar unveiled a 10.6" transparent MicroLED display, branded as "iMicro display", as you can see in the video. We do not have more information on this new display yet.
USA-based eLux was established in 2016 as a spin-off from Sharp Labs of America, to commercialize a unique MicroLED production technology. A year ago we discussed the company's technology and business with its CEO, Jong-Jan Lee.
Today eLux announced that it has installed an automated fluidic assembly tool at its prototype fab in Taiwan. The new tool features fully automatic cassette-to-cassette fluidic assembly of ten display panels, each up to 15-inch in size. The tool has provisions for capture and recycle of microLEDs and assembly fluids to minimize operating costs, and its capacity can be expanded by adding two additional modules.
DSCC says that the AR and VR markets are set for quick growth, and display sales for AR and VR devices will grow at a CAGR of 52% between 2020 and 2026, to reach $4.2 billion in sales (up from $347 million in 2020). This forecast does not include military applications.
The main bulk of the market will remain displays for VR, as actual see-through AR will remain a relatively small market even in 2026. DSCC see microLED technologies providing a breakthrough in this market, but actual microLED display shipments will remain low, around 5%. The market will be dominated by OLED microdisplays.
AUO Optronics will demonstrate several new MicroLED display prototypes at Touch Taiwan 2021. AUO now brands its microLED displays as ALED displays.
The first display, which you see above,is a 1.39-inch 472x472 (338 PPI) full-circle microLED display. AUO says that this is the highest-density MicroLED display ever developed. AUO did not disclose more about this display (which was developed together with PlayNitride) but the company says that it offers ultra-wide viewing angles and high brightness.
