The development of micro-LED technology has fueled emerging applications such as automotive displays and AR/VR. With the rapid development of these innovative applications, cooperation between upstream and downstream players in the display industry in the Micro LED field is becoming increasingly close, and the trend of industry consolidation is becoming more apparent. Recently, many companies and research institutions in the display field have increased their cooperation efforts in Micro LED technology.
AU Optronics and Smartkem Collaborate on Rollable Transparent Micro LED Screen <br /> On November 25th, London time, British materials company Smartkem announced that it will collaborate with AU Optronics to develop a new generation of rollable transparent Micro LED screens for large-scale commercial production starting in January next year. Production will commence on the Industrial Technology Research Institute's (ITRI) 2.5-generation assembly line in Taiwan.
AU Optronics has focused on the research and development of Micro LED display technology for many years, and its large-screen TVs have now achieved mass production and begun shipping. In addition to the TV sector, AU Optronics is actively expanding into emerging markets such as AR glasses and wearable devices. In the automotive sector, AU Optronics has collaborated with customers on new projects, including in-vehicle displays and exterior lighting.
Founded in 2009, SmartKem is a UK-based developer of organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) materials. This May, it showcased its first sample Micro LED display based on its proprietary OTFT material. This 96x96 pixel array, using sapphire as a substrate and processed with SmartKem technology, achieves Micro LED display functionality.
Regarding this collaboration, AUO's Chief Technology Officer, Liao Wei-lun, stated that AUO has developed groundbreaking technologies that enhance the transparency and flexible form factors of Micro LED applications. Leveraging Smartkem's proprietary materials and ITRI's OTFT manufacturing process, the two companies are collaborating to develop the world's first cost-effective, potentially commercially viable, rollable Micro LED screen.
Collaborations in the Micro LED Field Are Frequent <br /> This year, collaborations in the Micro LED field have become increasingly frequent, with many companies accelerating their deployments in this technology area. Several important collaborations were reached in November alone. In addition to the partnership between AU Optronics and Smartkem, many other companies are also engaging in in-depth cooperation in this field, covering multiple aspects such as technology research and development.
On November 21, X Display Corporation (XDC) announced a collaboration with Lumiride to develop a 140 PPI Micro LED prototype display. The Micro LED, measuring only 13 × 20 μm², achieved a peak brightness of 2360 cd/m². Mass transfer technology enabled yields of 99.9998% for Micro LED subpixels and 99.992% for Micro ICs.
On November 19th, Xiaomi and Jufeng Optoelectronics established a joint laboratory in Huizhou, focusing on the research and development of display technologies such as Mini LED backlighting, automotive LED, and Micro LED. Leveraging Jufeng's national-level laboratory resources, the two companies will form a high-end R&D team to drive innovation in Xiaomi TVs, monitors, and other products, and collaboratively develop smart display, home appliance, and smart terminal solutions.
Regarding collaboration between academia and industry, on November 18th, Zhaoyuan Optoelectronics and Xiamen University signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop key technologies for Mini/Micro LED new displays and promote the industrial application of this technology. At the same time, Tianma Microelectronics also collaborated with the Wujin Nanjing University Future Technology Innovation Research Institute, focusing on common technologies and forward-looking research in Micro LED displays.
Summary <br /> As a significant breakthrough in display technology, Micro LED technology has made considerable progress in recent years. Although cost and technical hurdles caused Apple to postpone the release of its Micro LED watch, this has not dampened the enthusiasm of other companies in the industry for Micro LED technology, and they are still actively promoting its development and application.
From a technical perspective, TrendForce points out that the size of Micro LED chips has shrunk from 34×58 micrometers to 15×30 micrometers, which will significantly increase the number of chips per wafer and improve cost-effectiveness. Meanwhile, mass transfer technologies such as stamp transfer, laser transfer, and fluid self-assembly are also maturing, providing more options for the widespread application of Micro LEDs.
With continuous integration of the industry chain and ongoing technological breakthroughs, Micro LED technology is expected to achieve greater market penetration in the coming years. TrendForce predicts that the global Micro LED chip market will reach $62 million in 2024, with the main demand coming from the large-screen display market. As the application of Micro LED technology in automotive and near-eye displays matures, the global Micro LED chip market is expected to approach $600 million by 2028.
