Flexible displays are starting to be researched and developed more in depth by Taiwan-based panel makers, which is boosting competition for what industry sources claim is the next wave of ultra-mobile display technology.
Flexible displays are bendable, extremely light and thin and energy-efficient display screens. The display's flexibility largely comes from replacing the glass substrate with a flexible substrate.
At present flexible substrates include foil, extremely thin glass and plastic, with the latter said to be the mainstream for panel makers in the future, according to sources.
Sources added since the introduction of YOUM, a flexible display made by Samsung Mobile Display (SMD), Taiwan manufacturers have been active in starting to develop the technology. Sources say this is because Taiwan-based panel makers do not want to fall behind on what they call a "revolutionary technology that will change the way portable devices are used in the future."
Specific panel makers were not mentioned but it is publicly known that Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is currently working to establish a supply chain in Taiwan for the commercialization of the technology, indicating that Chimei Innolux (CMI) and AU Optronics (AUO) are most likely among some of the developers.
Sources added flexible displays will be able to be transported and used anywhere, giving them endless applications for users and their ultra-mobile devices in the future.
Article translated by Alex Wolfgram
