FOLED ( Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diode)

A flexible organic light emitting diode (FOLED) is a type of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) incorporating a flexible plastic substrate on which the electroluminescent organic semiconductor is deposited. This enables the device to be bent or rolled while still operating. Currently the focus of research in industrial and academic groups, flexible OLEDs form one method of fabricating a rollable display.

The novel and truly exciting features of Universal Display’s proprietary FOLED^® flexible technology have the potential to engender a wide variety of new display and lighting products. With FOLED technology still under development today, the first commercial FOLED displays are targeted for use in portable electronics and lighting tiles – leveraging their advantages in ruggedness, thinness and light weight. Based on Universal Display's FOLED technology roadmap, the next generation of FOLEDs may provide added functionality through increased conformability. This feature may open up a wide range of new product opportunities – ranging from new shaped cell phone designs to novel communication devices that are wearable.

Additional product ideas based on our FOLED technology (and TOLED transparent OLED technology) include:

• Foldable, electronic, daily-refreshable newspapers
• Ultra-lightweight and thin, wall-size television monitors
• Curved, high-contrast automotive instrumentation displays
• Heads-up instrumentation for aircraft and automotive windshields
• Office windows, walls and partitions that double as computer screens
• Color-changing lighting panels and light walls for home and office

With FOLED technology development advancing well, initial flexible OLED products may be ready for the market as soon as within the next few years.  With continued product innovation enabled by these new FOLED performance features, we believe that the potential may be much greater.