Image source: Smartkem
Smartkem, a UK-based developer of organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) materials, announced that it has completed its first sale of TRUFLEX® semiconductor materials to its joint development partner, Chip Foundation, in Shanghai. The two companies will use these materials to jointly develop next-generation Micro LED backlight technology for liquid crystal displays.
TRUFLEX® material is SmartKem's core patented chemical technology. It is a solution deposited on a low-cost substrate at low temperatures and can be used to manufacture organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) circuits. At a low temperature of 80°C, transistors can be directly processed on Micro LEDs. This method eliminates the need for mass transfer and laser bonding processes, accelerating the Micro LED manufacturing process.
It is reported that Smartkem's TRUFLEX® material will be combined with Corechip's Micro LED, and the resulting Micro LED chips are expected to feature high brightness and high current efficiency, reducing power loss when driving backlights and improving illumination uniformity. TRUFLEX® material is expected to be available for sale in 2025.
Chipcore stated that the collaboration with Smartkem will allow them to integrate Smartkem's TRUFLEX® materials into the company's Micro LED products, representing a significant step in advancing high-performance LCD backlight solutions.
According to available information, SmartKem is a UK-based developer of organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) materials. Last May, SmartKem showcased its first Micro LED display sample based on its proprietary OTFT material. This sample was a 96x96 pixel Micro LED array using a sapphire substrate. The substrate was planarized using SmartKem materials, and the anode and cathode contacts of the Micro LEDs were achieved through photolithography, etching, sputtering, and metal layer patterning processes to produce the display effect.
On the other hand, Shanghai Xinyuanji, founded in 2014, focuses on the independent research, design, and production of gallium nitride (GaN) materials, including sapphire-based GaN high-end thin-film structure wafers and Mini/Micro LED wafers. Its products are widely used in industrial curing, AR/VR, smartwatches, televisions, outdoor displays, and special lighting.
It is worth noting that in September last year, SmartKem announced a joint development with Chipbase to develop advanced glass-based high-voltage MiP chips and glass-based QD on Chip LED chips for backlighting.
