OLED made using graphene developed by Korean research agency
A Korean research team has successfully created an OLED display using transparent electrodes made by graphene.
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) made the 370mm x 470mm display, equivalent to one used for a 19-inch monitor, that used graphene electrodes thinner than 5 nanometers.
Graphene is a transparent and flexible conductor, known for its durability, which scientists are looking to utilise in various promising applications, especially in displays.
The ETRI developed a process that can pattern a graphene-made transparent electrode in accurate size on a glass substrate.
The team replaced indium tin oxides that are used for current commercial applications but are known for being breakable.
The institute said a flexible substrate, together with graphene, will allow making flexible displays that are thin enough to be used for wearable devices and clothes.
The team will later use a plastic substrate instead of glass so that the process can be applied to wearable OLED.
The project is a result of four years of research beginning in 2012 backed by the country's trade ministry.
OLED displays are in high demand. Google reportedly offered LG Display 1 trillion won in investment to secure bendable OLEDs. Apple is reportedly buying 70 million units of the displays from Samsung for its next iPhone.
Samsung's latest Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus feature a dual-edged OLED display.