UK and Japanese Joint Development Programme to Deliver Full Size Plastic Display By Close of 1998
Cambridge Display Technology and Seiko-Epson today unveiled a jointly developed prototype television screen, providing a glimpse of the future of screen technology. The two companies announced that they are collaborating in a joint development agreement with the aim of producing televisions and computer monitors based on CDT's patented Light Emitting Plastic technology.

Measuring 50mm square and only 2mm thick, the black and white prototype display screen can show full television pictures. Unlike LCD screens, the prototype display screen has no restrictions on viewing angles or blurring of fast action shots.

The black and white screen has the potential to be used as a monitor for portable VCRs and digital cameras. The joint development relationship between the two companies is expected to deliver further benefits later this year, with the announcement of a full size colour display screen.

Commercial versions are expected to become widely available within the next five years. Fabrication of the LEP technology can be carried out on existing equipment - this is significant for licensees and manufacturers, as it allows LEPs to be manufactured at a very competitive cost.

Dr. Shimoda, General Manager of basic research, Seiko-Epson said:

"CDT's technology appealed to us for a number of reasons. When combined with poly-silicon TFT technology and ink-jet printing - a field in which Seiko-Epson occupies a dominant position, LEPs deliver superior performance to that of existing display technologies such as LCDs - particularly in terms of the quick high response time which allows video display."

"In addition to the fact that LEPs deliver a thinner and lighter package, the development process lends itself to use on much of our existing manufacturing equipment. This is why we have been able to make such rapid progress in our joint development programme. LEP displays will become competitive with not only LCD displays but also with CRT in terms of quality and cost."

Danny Chapchal, chief executive officer, Cambridge Display Technology said:

"It is hard to over-estimate the significance of this announcement, not only for CDT but also for the global display industry. Through a very effective joint partnership with Seiko Epson, we have shown that our technology can begin to deliver the commercial benefits promised".

"This announcement also shows that our strategy of licensing and partnerships delivers the technology to market far faster than we could alone. To this end, we are in the process of finalising further partnerships with some major corporations in different product areas, and hopefully will be able to reveal their identities later in the year", he added.

"This joint development programme brings together two companies with extremely complementary technologies, our Light Emitting Plastics, with Epson's Ink-jet and active matrix expertise", said Mark Gostick, marketing director of CDT. He continued, "Between us we are developing processes that will allow the active picture elements of a display to be printed directly onto its base. This gives displays with simpler manufacturing processes, which in turn allows a very competitive cost for a superior product."