Universal Display Corporation

Innovator in organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) technology and production

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Universal Display Corporation (UDC) stands as a pioneer in the development and manufacturing of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) technologies and materials, catering to the display and lighting industries. Established in 1994, UDC is a leading OLED research entity, currently holding exclusive, co-exclusive, or sole license rights to over 3,000 issued and pending patents globally. These patents are aimed at the commercialization of phosphorescent, flexible, transparent, and stacked OLEDs for both display and lighting purposes. Companies such as Samsung, LG, AU Optronics, CMEL, Pioneer, Panasonic Idemitsu OLED lighting, and Konica Minolta license and acquire UDC's phosphorescent OLED technologies and materials.

Collaborating with firms like Sony, DuPont, and Novaled, UDC asserted back in 2009 that "almost all AMOLEDs available in the market utilize our technology." With headquarters in Ewing, New Jersey, and international offices in Ireland, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan, Universal Display partners with a network of prestigious institutions like Princeton University, the University of Southern California, the University of Michigan, and PPG Industries.

Despite a history of various patent disputes, UDC's patents have been consistently validated.

Key Technological Advantages of OLEDs

The unique OLED manufacturing process endows the technology with multiple benefits over traditional LCD technology used in flat-panel displays.

Future Cost Reduction

OLEDs can be deposited onto diverse substrates using methods such as inkjet or screen printing, potentially making them more cost-effective than LCD or plasma displays in the long run. Nonetheless, initial OLED substrate fabrication costs currently surpass those of TFT LCDs. Mass production through roll-to-roll vapor-deposition could diminish these costs, but it also introduces challenges in aligning multiple printed layers accurately.

Lightweight and Flexible Applications

OLED displays' ability to be printed onto flexible plastic substrates facilitates innovations like roll-up displays embedded in materials or apparel. These flexible substrates, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), could also lower production costs.

Enhanced Viewing Angles and Brightness

Unlike LCDs, OLEDs emit light directly, enabling better artificial contrast ratios and wider viewing angles with consistent pixel color accuracy even at extreme angles.

Improved Power Efficiency

OLEDs offer better power efficiency compared to LCDs, as inactive OLED elements do not emit light, enabling true blacks. This not only reduces power consumption but also lightens the display by eliminating the need for certain substrates.

Faster Response Time

OLEDs boast faster response times than standard LCD screens, which can significantly enhance the refresh rate and potentially eliminate issues like motion blur.

Some limitations of OLEDs include:

Power Consumption Issues

OLEDs can consume significantly more power to display predominantly white images, like text documents or websites, potentially reducing battery life in mobile devices.

According to OLED Display reports, "Samsung Display employs different Sub Pixel Matrix technologies for their smartphone Super-Amoled Displays, like the Diamond Pixel Matrix in the Galaxy S4 and S5 models."

Smartphones Utilizing OLED Technology

Universal Display's OLED screens are integral to several Samsung Galaxy smartphones, including models S, S II through S5. Samsung's Galaxy S3 achieved 10 million sales within its first three months post-launch in April 2012. The company's flagship devices like the Galaxy S4 feature a 4.99" Full-HD Super AMOLED display, enhancing energy efficiency by up to 25% through UDC’s green PHOLED technology.

Other smartphones, including Nokia's Lumia 1020 and BlackBerry's Q10 and Z30, also feature OLED screens. Samsung’s rollout of the Galaxy S5 introduced a unique low-power mode enhancing battery life by switching to monochrome and reducing brightness when battery levels are critically low.

Smart Watches with OLED Screens

In September 2013, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Gear Smartwatch with a 1.6-inch OLED screen and multiple applications integrating with Android smartphones. Other notable OLED smartwatches include the LG G Watch R and LG's premium "Urbane" models. Apple's smartwatches have featured OLED panels since 2015, solidifying OLED's dominance in this market segment.

The Rise of Phablets

Phablets, characterized by screens between 5 and 7 inches, blend phone and tablet functionalities. Samsung's Galaxy Note series, starting with the Note I to Note III, has led this segment, showcasing superior AMOLED screens praised for their brightness and overall display quality. The Note 4, launched at IFA Berlin, continued this trend with significant enhancements in design and functionality.

Tablets Embracing OLED

Panasonic and Samsung have both released tablets featuring OLED screens. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S series, equipped with WQXGA Super AMOLED displays, offer high resolution and impressive pixel densities.

Television Innovations

While initially delayed, Samsung and LG-Display led the charge in showcasing 55-inch OLED televisions at CES-2012. Samsung's subsequent release of a 55-inch curved OLED HDTV and LG’s advancements in UHD OLED screens showcase the growing application of OLED in televisions. Reviews and consumer reports consistently rate OLED televisions highly for their exceptional picture quality.

LG's commitment to OLED technology in TV manufacturing continues to be robust, with significant investments and long-term agreements with UDC for OLED material supply bolstering this growth. LG’s newly revealed models, ultra-thin as 0.9mm, highlight the future potential of OLED in home entertainment.

Next-Gen Advanced Displays

UDC's technology underpins cutting-edge developments like Google's next-gen Google Glass HMDs and Sony's latest Heads Up Micro-Displays. The inherent flexibility and resilience of OLED screens, as evident in Samsung’s flexible AMOLEDs, drive innovation in advanced display formats, including plastic substrates that offer shatterproof, lighter, and thinner designs.

Efforts by companies like Corning are also accelerating advancements with flexible glass technologies aimed at reducing production costs. Market forecasts predict robust growth in the flexible OLED display sector, with significant revenue expectations.

Apple's Embrace of OLED Technology

Apple integrated OLED panels in its 2015 watches, expanding this to laptops with an OLED touchbar in 2016 and to the iPhone X in 2017. This adoption has extended into newer iPhone models, iPads, and potentially future MacBooks, reinforcing OLED's importance across Apple's product ecosystem.

OLED Lighting Solutions

OLED technology's advantages extend to lighting, with low temperature and energy use making it ideal for various applications, including automotive lighting. OSRAM and Philips are pioneering developments in OLED lighting, forecasting a significant market impact. OLED lighting panels offer higher efficiency, longer lifespans, and more sustainable environmental footprints compared to traditional lighting technologies.

Patent Disputes and Resolutions

UDC has consistently defended its patents globally, with favorable rulings from patent offices in Japan and Korea in 2012. Analysts have noted the potential risks to UDC's patent portfolio but acknowledge the company's strength in maintaining its intellectual property rights.

LCD/OLED Display Manufacturing