Samsung plans to release its first microLED wearable display in 2025, but this may get delayed
In early 2023, it was reported in Korea that Samsung Display started a new project to develop microLED wearable displays, aiming to finish the development by the end of 2023, and supply it to Tier-1 wearable makers such as Apple or Samsung Electronics.
According to a new report, Samsung Electronic had indeed started developing a microLED powered Galaxy Watch device, aiming to release it in 2025. Following Apple's microLED wearble project cancellation, Samsung is also now debating whether to cancel or delay its own microLED smartwatch project.
STRATACACHE to integrate Lumiode's backplane deposition technology in its microLED fab in Eugene, Oregon
US-based signage leader STRATACACHE announced that it has signed a strategic research and IP licensing agreement with US-based Lumiode that will enable STRATACACHE to integrate Lumiode's technology in its upcoming E4 microLED production line in Eugene, Oregon.
Lumiode's technology enables the deposition of an active matrix backplane directly on the LED structure. Lumiode's technology enables the production of both large-area displays and small microdisplays, and it is likely that STRATACACHE is interested in the former.
Porotech signs up PSMC to commercialize its microLED displays
Porotech announced a strategic partnership with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (PSMC), to bring Porotech's microLED displays top market.
The two companies did not disclose much, but Porotech says that this collaboration is an important step forward toward mass production of its microLED microdisplays.
Comptek's CEO gives us the latest updates and his views on the microLED industry, towards Comptek's upcoming talk at MicroLED-Connect
Finland-based Comptek Solutions develops passivation technology solutions for III-V compound semiconductor materials and devices, based on its novel surface treatment process. Comptek's research leader Marjukka Tuominen will give a talk at the upcoming MicroLED-Connect startup showcase event on February 2024, and Comptek's CEO and co-founder, Vicente Calvo Alonso, was kind enough to send us a short update on the company's technology and status, and his views on the microLED industry and market.
Q: Hello Vicente, thank you for your time. Can you tell us a bit about Comptek, your technology and current status?
Comptek Solutions is an expert in passivation technology solutions for III-V compound semiconductor materials and devices. With our novel surface treatment process, KontroxTM, we are able to control how the oxidation process happens on the surface of the compound materials, and for the first time ever, we can create high quality, crystalline native oxides which are thermodynamically stable and present very low levels of surface state defects.
XTPL launches an ultra-precise inkjet printing platform with support for microLED interconnection printing
Poland-based inkjet printing pioneer XTPL has launched its latest printing system, the Ultra-Precise Dispensing (UPD) System that enables the printing of high-precision electronically conductive or insulating structures.
The new systems are suitable for industrial production, and XTPL is targeting the display market, and specifically the microLED display market with its new systems. For microLED developers, UPD offers the ability to deposit precise conductive interconnections, supporting the integration of the microLEDs into heterogeneous microelectronic systems. These interconnections manage control, driving, and power distribution for microLEDs, expanding potential applications in AR/VR devices, smartwatches, automotive displays, and more.
VueReal starts shipping high-resolution high-transparency microLED displays to customers
VueReal announced that it has developed and started shipping high-resolution and high-transparency microLED displays to its customers. Using the company's own MicroSolid Printing Platform, Vuereal integrates microLEDs into an active-matrix microLED display to enable high-efficiency and high quality displays with tunable transparency (from 80% to zero).
VueReal offers a turnkey platform that enables its partners and customers to develop a custom display and fabricate it at VueReal's own pilot production line. VueReal says that it is now accepting new orders for high-resolution and high-transparency displays.
PlayNitride to build a microLED production line for AUO, in a $21 million deal
AU Optronics announced an agreement with PlayNitride, to build a 6-inch microLED production line at AUO's Longtan factory. AUO will pay PlayNitride NT$700 million (around $21.5 million USD) for this new line.
AUO says that the new line will utilize PlayNitride's Chip-on-Carrier (COC) technology, that produces the microLEDs on temporary substrates ready for the transfer process. This will enable AUO to more easily realize the production of display panels based on these microLEDs. AUO says that this new line will also enable it to reduce microLED production costs.
Micro-CPV: a promising new solar technology that may benefit from microLED production processes
Researchers from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and MIT, published a review article on Micro-Scale Concentrating Photovoltaics, or micro-CPV, a new technology that uses miniaturized solar panels and optics that concentrate the sun's energy into these micro panels. The benefits of micro-CPV compared to normal solar panels include potentially lower cost (much less solar absorption area), better thermal management, shorter optical path and lower resistive losses.
There are many challenges yet before micro-CPVs can be produced in large volume and at competitive prices. Interestingly, microLED production processes can be applied to the production of micro-CPVs, as these solutions can be seen like inverted technologies - tiny devices that either absorb or emit light.
AUO reiterates its plans to mass produce microLED smartwatch displays by the end of 2023, to expand microLEDs to TVs and Automotives
During the company's latest conference call, AU Optronics made some interesting remarks on its microLED project. First of all, the company intends to continue investing in micro-LED technologies going forward. That's not a surprise. Second, the company re-iterated its plans to mass produce microLED smartwatch displays by the end of 2023.
AUO also says it plans to apply microLED displays to an "increasing number of high end TV and automotive display products". AUO will increase its microLED display range and make it commercially available to more products and applications. As far as we know, this is the first time that AUO discusses microLED TVs.
ams Osram signs a $420 million sale-and-lease agreement for its Kulim microLED production site
ams Osram is progressing with its microLED production fab project in Kulim, Malaysia, and the company has now signed a sale-and-lease agreement with three local Malaysian funds, with a total sum of 2 billion RM (or about $420 million USD).
ams Osram will sell its Kulim facility (The building itself) to Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Retirement Fund (KWAP), and will lease it back for at least 10 years. The deal is expected to be formally signed by December 2023.
