August 2023

We're happy to interview Smartkem, as part of our series of interviews with MicroLED Industry Association members. UK based Smartkem developed a patented organic backplane display solution based on unique, patented inks. Smartkem's inks are solution deposited at a low temperature, on low-cost substrates to make organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) circuits.

Hello, can you introduce your company and technology?

Simon Ogier, Chief Technology Officer: SmartKem is a materials company that manufactures its unique and patented TRUFLEX® semiconductor and dielectric inks. These are used to make organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) backplanes for active matrix display driving. Our inks enable low temperature additive manufacturing processes that are compatible with existing a-Si TFT-LCD backplane equipment lines. SmartKem OTFTs have been used in emissive display backplane demonstrators achieving high brightness for microLED (>100K nits). The current stability under thermal bias stress testing is excellent and minimises threshold voltage shifts even under high current conditions. Our platform can be used in a several display technologies including microLED, miniLED and AMOLED displays for next generation televisions, laptops, AR and VR headsets, smartwatches and smartphones.

The MicroLED Industry Association published today a new white paper, that is focused on monolithic microLED integration.

A major challenge in producing MicroLED displays is the transfer stage, also known as Pick and Place. This production step is responsible for transferring individual LEDs from the original wafer to the final display. In some cases, it is possible to (more or less) skip this stage and transfer the LEDs directly to the final display through a process called monolithic microLED integration.

This document will focus on such a process, discuss various options for its execution and examine the types of displays and applications it is suitable for. The white paper is published on the MicroLED Association's website, and is open to the public.

MicroLED-Info, in collaboration with the MicroLED Industry Association (MIA) and TechBlick are jointly launching MicroLED Connect, a microLED-focused conference that will take place on September 24-26 2024, in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

The event will include a conference, masterclasses, an exhibition - and will place a big focus on networking opportunities and activities. MicroLED-Connect will bring together leading researchers (academia and R&D institutes), microLED developers and display makers, who will present the latest technology and research advancements, the challenges still facing the industry, the current status of the industry and market, and much more!

In addition to the live (in-person) event in September, MicroLED-Connect will also offer a year-round virtual program of microLED focused webinars.

US-based Saphlux has developed a 0.39" full-color microLED Microdisplay, based on the company's NPQD color conversion technology. You can see a sample of Saphlux's T1-0.39 RGB display in the video below. 

Saphlux's first microdisplay offers a maximum white brightness of 250,000 nits, and a wide color gamut. The company is using high-EQE blue microLEDs (it has a partner that supplies the LEDs) and its NPQD technology achieves 67% photon conversion efficiency. The company's technology enables a pixel pitch of sub-2 microns. 

Finland based Comptek Solutions announced that it has successfully closed its its Series A funding round, raising a total of 8 million Euro, from the Horizon Europe EIC Fund, LIFTT (Italian venture firm) and an undisclosed key strategic partner.

The funds will be used to accelerate Comptek's technology implementation, and scale up its growth. Comptek was founded in 2017, and develops passivation technology for Optoelectronics and power applications.

Market Research firm Trendforce predicts that microLED chip sales will reach $27 million in 2023, a growth of almost 100 compared to 2022 ($14 million). Trendforce says that the market is expected to actually accelerate its growth, and grow at a CAGR of 136% from 2022 to 2027, reaching $580 million in 2027. 

Of course not just the LED chip market will grow - the entire ecosystem, including production equipment, backplanes, and more.

LG Electronics announced its latest microLED MAGNIT TV, a 136-inch panel that is the company's first microLED that has integrated design with a display controller and speakers. The company didn't detail any specifications, but it likely to be based on LG's LSAD series, that offers 4K resolution at 136-inch, 2000-nits and a refresh rate of 120Hz.

LGE says that its MAGNIT All-in-One is now available on the global market, and is designed for business environments, such as meeting rooms and conference halls. The TV includes LG's Magic Remote that operates like a mouse cursor and assists in presentations, and has several features designed for business meetings use cases.

Kulicke and Soffa (K&S) announced that it is extending its long-term collaboration with surface mounting technology expert TSMT, to further enhance K&S' mini-LED and micro-LED placement solutions and get it ready for mass-volume adoption.

K&S offers its LUMINEX laser-based transfer solution, and the company now updates that it is working, together with TSMT, to enhance the yield from 99.99% to 99.999%. 

Veeco reports its financial results for Q2 2023, with revenues of $162 million (towards the high-end of its guidance) with a net income of $24 million.

Veeco says it remains committed to its microLED opportunities, as its long-term outlook on the microLED industry is positive. In the short term, however, it has sold some GaN-on-Silicon tools, but it has seen market pushing out about a year, and does not expect any significant orders until 2025.