TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 30 -- Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. and Sony Corp. have signed an agreement to jointly develop new organic light-emitting diode (OLED) luminous materials by sharing each other's OLED-related patents. The formal contract is expected to be signed at the end of January. OLED is a self-luminous display which emits light by running an electric current through organic luminous materials. The organic luminous layer is placed between two glass panels, so no backlight system is required, resulting in a much thinner display. OLED, with its excellent color reproduction capability and high-speed response to moving images, is considered to be the most viable next-generation flat display. Idemitsu says it developed the world's brightest blue-light organic luminous material in 1997, based on its molecular engineering and organic synthesis technologies. Idemitsu has since continuously been developing new luminous materials for the mid-large size OLEDs and working on new technologies. Sony says it is developing various material and component technologies for the creation of a mid-large size OLED panel. For more information, visit: www.sony.com or www.idemitsu.co.jp/e/index.html