Polar OLED Ltd - The new generation of liquid crystal displays
04 Nov 2009
A new generation of flat panel displays is being developed with
the help of experts at the University of Hull, which may ultimately
supersede Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs). The first stable liquid
crystals were invented at the University’s Chemistry
department in 1971.
Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are devices that can be used
for small screen mobile displays, lighting and TVs.
Industry giants such as Sony, LG and Kodak amongst others are
developing screens that are just millimetres thick and have a far
sharper picture than plasma or LCD screens. Unlike existing
screens which need a backlight, OLED pixels radiate light, making
them far more energy efficient.
Although the first OLED TVs are already being manufactured, they
are on sale in low volume and their price tag is still
comparatively high. The materials being developed by the University
of Hull may be far more cost effective to manufacture and are
different in make-up from the OLEDs currently being developed
elsewhere.
Sony and Kodak are using a small molecule approach which is
difficult to scale-up and can only be deposited on glass surfaces.
Others are using ink jet printing methods to produce small size
displays, but resolution becomes an issue at larger sizes. The
materials for devices being developed by the University however are
scalable, high resolution and can be manufactured on a variety of
surfaces such as flexible plastic.
The work from the University has attracted investment from IP Group
and together they have formed a company called Polar OLED Ltd
(www.polaroled.com). Bringing academic and
commercial minds together, a unique approach has been created which
will be invaluable to companies producing OLED displays in large
quantities.
Professor Steve Kelly is from the University’s Chemistry
department. He worked with Professor George Gray who
pioneered the original liquid crystal research. He says:
“I remember how rewarding it was to work with liquid crystals
in the 1970s; to see how our work led to a new era in TV
manufacturing - from the bulky cathode ray tube to the streamlined
liquid crystal displays - was quite spectacular. What we are
experiencing with OLED technology is just as much of a seismic
shift and to be a part of this cutting-edge optoelectronic research
is immensely exciting.”
Working alongside Professor Kelly is Professor Mary O’Neill
from the University’s Physics department. She says:
“This is a rare opportunity to work across the disciplines of
physics, chemistry and commerce to develop a device that will have
widespread impact. I look forward to seeing our OLED materials
being used extensively.”
Danny Lynham, investment manager for IP Group says: “We are
truly excited about working with the University of Hull. OLED
devices have huge commercial potential in the worldwide display
market and we look forward to working closely with major strategic
players to attract further interest and investment.”
For press enquiries, please contact Claire
Mulley on 01482 466943 or 07809 585965 or
c.mulley@hull.ac.uk
Images are available on request
Notes to Editors
About Polar OLED Ltd
Polar OLED has been
formed specifically to commercialise the intellectual property held
and being developed by the University of Hull in optoelectronic
devices. By combining business experience with cutting edge
research we are looking to go from strength to strength in the
production and supply of unique optoelectronic device
materials.
For more information or to contact us directly visit:
www.polaroled.com
About IP Group plc
IP Group is an
intellectual property (IP) commercialisation company that
specialises in commercialising university technology. Founded in
2001, IP Group listed on AIM in October 2003 and moved to the
Official List in June 2006. It has made two acquisitions to date -
Techtran, a company set up to commercialise university intellectual
property under a long term contract with the University of Leeds,
in 2005 and Top Technology Ventures, an investment adviser to early
stage technology venture capital funds, in 2004. IP Group has
formed long-term partnerships with ten universities - the
University of Oxford, King's College London, CNAP/University of
York, the University of Leeds, the University of Bristol, the
University of Surrey, the University of Southampton, Queen Mary
(University of London), the University of Bath and the University
of Glasgow. The Company's portfolio is diverse with exposure
to five main sectors - Energy & Renewables, Healthcare &
Life Sciences: Non-therapeutics, Healthcare & Life Sciences:
Therapeutics, IT & Communications and Chemicals &
Materials. To date, eleven portfolio companies have listed on the
AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, one on PLUS Markets and
there have been two trade sales.
For more information visit: www.ipgroupplc.com
About the University of Hull
The
University of Hull is one of the world’s top 500 universities
and is well known for the discovery of liquid crystals, for which
the Department of Chemistry received the Queen’s Award for
Technological Achievement. Philip Larkin, one of the greatest
English poets of the twentieth century, was the University’s
librarian for 30 years and he wrote some of his most celebrated
works at the University. Famous alumni include: Lord Dearing,
Roger McGough CBE, John McCarthy and Anthony Minghella.
