History
What is a liquid crystal display (LCD)? A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a thin, flat display device made up of any number of color or monochrome pixels arrayed in front of a light source or reflector. It is prized by engineers and consumers because it uses very small amounts of electric power, and is therefore suitable for use in battery-powered electronic devices. LCD technology, starting with digital watches and calculators, has completely redefined many industries, such as computer displays, medical devices, industrial devices, and the vast array of consumer electronics.
Northeast Ohio’s Connection to LCDs Few people know that Northeast Ohio played an important role in the development of the flat panel displays industry. In fact, the world-renowned Liquid Crystal Institute, (LCI) was established at Kent State University in 1965, when flat panel displays and LCDs were just a futurists vision. The LCI was the brainchild of Kent State University chemistry Professor, Glenn Brown, and was created to serve as the nation's leader in liquid crystal technology and education, blending basic and applied research on liquid crystals.
James Fergason joined the LCI in the 1960s and was one of the first researchers to invent the twisted nematic liquid crystal display. This invention was the basis for the entire flat panel display industry. Fergason also established the first LCD composites to produce TN displays in Northeast Ohio.
In 1971, the first LCDs were demonstrated publicly and enthusiastically accepted. Although this technology was created in Northeast Ohio the display industry eventually moved out of the region and nation. It is now dominated by electronics and display companies in the Pacific Rim.
In the 1980s, researchers at the LCI began combining liquid crystals and polymers to develop polymer dispersed liquid crystals. A major application of these materials is in switchable windows, which are produced by companies in the United States, such as 3M and Polytronics.
The theme of combining liquid crystals and polymers continued with the development of the Center for Advanced Liquid Crystalline Optical Materials (ALCOM) is a consortium of Kent State University, Case Western Reserve University, and the University of Akron designed to leverage the capabilities of the three institutions in the fields of liquid crystal and polymer research. ALCOM has become a national center for advanced research and development of liquid crystal optoelectronic materials, technology, and consumer products. As a result of the ALCOM center, a number of spin off companies were formed. In part, the consortium also led the development of technology that can be used in a range of new flexible devices.
By following this Kent Approach, companies in Northeast Ohio are among the first to commercialize flexible displays (Kent Displays) and flexible lenses (AlphaMicron). The success of the Kent Approach has led to the establishment of the FlexMatters Initiative
Why FlexMatters now Recently, Kent State University, NorTech, the Fund For Our Economic Future, Team NEO, the University of Akron and other industry created an initiative to build a new industrial cluster in Ohio, formed to produce optical and electronic devices on flexible plastic substrates. These new products include flexible displays, complex electronics and solar cells and advanced optical films. Northeast Ohio has a unique opportunity to capture this emerging industry because of our lead in research and development in liquid crystal and polymers complemented by Ohio’s core industrial strengths in polymers and printing and manufacturing machinery. Flexible displays are destined to capture an ever increasing share of the flat panel displays industry, which today is estimated at $60Billion/year. For this reason, industrial researchers and dedicated centers around the world are pursuing their development; however, the manufacturing base has yet to develop because they are pursuing technological approaches that require removing technological barriers before they can enter the market. Ohio industry has taken a different approach, identifying a path to market which uses commercially available materials and processes. We are able to pursue this approach because of our research strengths and our innovative companies. Ohio will establish the early lead in this global race just as we did at the beginning of the LCD industry. This time we must make sure that this industry stays in Ohio. Therefore, the main goal of FlexMatters is to capitalize on this lead, assuring that enabling technologies and manufacturers establish and grow in this region.
Emerging Flexible LCD Cluster in Northeast Ohio Several start-up companies are taking the lead in manufacturing flexible electronic devices. AlphaMicron was the first in the world to market a flexible liquid crystal device. Their switchable lenses were incorporated in UVex Ski Goggles and won the Popular Science “Best of What’s New” in 2004 award, www.alphamicron.com. Applied Polymer Systems in Akron is providing specialized polymers that are made into flexible films that are applied to the latest flat screen LCD TVs, greatly enhancing their appearance. In 2007, Kent Displays will commercialize flexible displays produced using a continuous roll-to-roll process, www.kentdisplays.com.
While flexible liquid crystal displays and related devices will be the first to reach the market, the core manufacturing techniques developed will foster other new industries. The processes and techniques we develop to reliably print high resolution electrodes and related films on flexible substrates are available no where else. We are also developing the means to coat these substrates with proprietary films and laminating multiple films to make flexible displays. We are already attracting the attention of companies with complementary skills outside the region to move here in order to be near the emergence of this new industry. Our unique strengths in these manufacturing processes will also support the development of flexible electronics and photo-voltaics.
It is clear that we are on the threshold of a new industry. Northeast Ohio is poised to take an early lead. Unlike semiconductors we are the natural home for this emerging industry. However, the competition will be fierce, and if we are to capitalize on our early lead we must aggressively seize the opportunity. To succeed we will market our strengths, effectively address our weaknesses and collaborate across institutions, industries and the region.