The MicroLED Industry Association to host an academic roundup webinar
On October 19th the MicroLED Industry Association will host a private academic roundup webinar, focused on the latest microLED research at leading academic institutes. During the webinar, we will hear from three world-class researchers that detail their latest projects and recent advances.
The webinar will feature three world-leading speakers, and will also be open to a Q&A session.
- Prof. Steven DenBaars, from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) – “Recent Advances in Micron Scale III-Nitrides based RGB MicroLEDs”
- Prof. Kei May LAU, from Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) - (lecture topic TBD)
- Prof. Kazuhiro Ohkawa from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) – “Highly efficient InGaN-based micro-LEDs”
A spotlight on 3M: a MicroLED Industry Association member
We're happy to interview 3M, as part of our series of interviews with MicroLED Industry Association members. The 3M Company, based in the US, operates in the fields of industry, worker safety, U.S. health care, and consumer goods. The company produces a wide range of products (over 60,000, in fact), and its Display Materials and solutions Division (DMSD) is offering several products for the industry – transparent adhesives (OCAs), micro/nanoreplication technologies, printable optical materials, and multilayered optical film.
Hello! Can you introduce your company and technology?
3M is a leading global science company with a diversified portfolio of products and services. We have been in business for over 120 years, and we are committed to applying science to solve the world's toughest problems. 3M has been serving a wide range of industries, including Safety & Industrial, Transportation & Electronics, Health Care and Consumer. We have a strong track record of innovation, and we are constantly developing new products and technologies.
LG Display acquires 14 microLED patents from Ultra Display Technology
According to The Elec, LG Display acquired 14 microLED related patents from Taiwan-based Ultra Display Technology. The patents mostly detail microLED transfer technology, but some are also related to microLED microdisplays.
LG Display is stepping up its microLED projects. It has reportedly signed a deal to supply microLED backplanes to Apple, and has recently demonstrated 12" stretchable microLED displays. UDT's technology is focused on stamp-based microLED transfer. LG is also looking into fluidic processes for microLED transfer.
MicroLED QD developer QNA Technology raised $4 million, aims to go public at ASO NewConnect
QD developer QNA Technology raised $4 million in its latest financing round,and the company is now preparing to apply for a listing at the Polish ASO NewConnect stock exchange for early stage companies.
QNA was established in 2016, and is focused on blue light (400-490 nm) emitting, heavy metal-free quantum dots for display applications. The company optimizes its QDs for two applications: electroluminescence display devices (QD-EL) and for microLED displays devices based on UV microLEDs.
Excyton, Mitsui Kinzoku, Pixelligent and Q-Pixel join the MicroLED Industry Association
The MicroLED Industry Association (MIA) welcomes new members Excyton, Mitsui Kinzoku, Pixelligent and Q-Pixel, joining over 30 existing members (including large corporations, startup companies, research institutes and more). The MIA aims to accelerate the adoption of microLED display technologies, bringing together companies, researchers and organizations active in the MicroLED industry and providing an ideal forum for solving common technology issues, fostering cooperation and sharing relevant information, resources and tools.
The recently joined members commented:
"Excyton joins the MicroLED Industry Association to connect with industry leaders and explore opportunities to implement its power-saving TurboLED technology in pioneering MicroLED products.”
"Mitsui Kinzoku joins the MicroLED Industry Association to help promote microLED display technologies. Mitsui's phosphors are aimed at color-conversion for microLED display.
HC Semitek starts building a $700 million microLED production line in Zhuhai, China
China-based HC Semitek is embarking on a 5 billion Yuan project (almost $700 million USD) to produce microLED wafers in Jinwan District, Zhuhai, China. The project will have three phases, with the first one (estimated at $275 million) has officially started last month.
HC Semitek hopes to light up the new production line in September 2024, and to start production by December 2024. When all three phases are complete, the new production line will have a yearly capacity of 58,800 microLED wafers (we do not the wafer size at this project, but we estimate these are 8-inch wafers). It is not clear from the reports, but this production line may also produce mini LEDs, not just microLEDs.
The MicroLED Industry Association to host a microLED market and industry webinar
On December 5th the MicroLED Industry Association will host a private webinar focused on the microLED market and industry. During this webinar, we will hear from market analysts that cover the display industry and microLEDs specifically, to hear their views about the current state of the market and industry, and their forecasts for the future.
The webinar will feature three world-leading speakers, and will also be open to a Q&A session.
Kubos wins its first customer order, raises $900,000 to further develop its red cubic GaN material
UK-based Kubos Semiconductors announced that it has won a £700,000 (almost $900,000 USD) Future Economy Investor Partnerships (FEIP) grant from Innovate UK, the UK government’s innovation agency. Kubos also updates that it has been granted its first process technology patents and has received its first customer order.
This FEIP grant is for a 24-month project to achieve 5% efficiency for red microLEDs by deploying the company’s proprietary cubic Gallium Nitride (GaN) process, called KubosLED.
Omdia: the cost of 10 inch to 14 inch microLED panels will drop 75% by 2027, but will remain too high for most applications
Market research firm Omdia says that the price of microLED display panels is set to drop 75% by 2027. Omdia is referring to small 10-14 inch displays, which currently cost around $5,800 for a 10" panel, or $10,0000 for a 14.6" one.
Omdia expects the price of a 10" panel to drop to $1,277 in 2027, and a 14.6" panel to $2,400. That's an impressive price reduction in 4 years, but the prices of such panels will still be very high - much higher than comparable LCD or OLED displays today. Omdia thinks that at such price levels, some niche applications like high-performance laptops or automotive displays may fuel demand for MicroLED displays.
