Universal Display Nabs $750K Contract

Phosphorescent organic LED (PHOLED) provider Universal Display Corp. of Ewing, N.J., has been awarded a $750,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from the US Air Force Research Laboratory to develop a nonglass, ejection-safe, flexible OLED display prototype for prospective use by pilots in tactical cockpit settings. Combined with military display systems from L-3 Comunications and backplane technology from LG Display, the PHOLED display prototype will be energy efficient, offer full-color video rate and have wireless communications capabilities. In addition, it will be flexible enough to be wrapped around a cylinder for easy storage during flight. The design goal is to provide Air Force pilots with a replacement for printed maps and checklists typically held on their knees in tactical cockpits. In Phase I, Universal demonstrated the initial technical feasibility of such a display. Under terms of Phase II, the team will deliver four breadboard subsystems based on a bright 6-in. diagonal, full-color, low power consumption PHOLED display on flexible metal foil. These displays will then be wrapped around cylinders containing power supplies and wireless communications electronics for evaluation in a tactical cockpit setting.