U Michigan and USC Extend Organic Electronics Research with Universal Display

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 06/04/09

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles have extended a sponsored research agreement with Universal Display Corp. Under terms of the extension, Universal Display will provide up to $7.5 million for the next four years to support research in the growing field of organic electronics under the direction of UM professor Stephen Forrest and USC professor Mark Thompson. The company has funded more than $8.8 million in sponsored research at these institutions and Princeton University in New Jersey since 1994.

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials are used in flat panel displays, solid-state lighting products, electronic communications, and other opto-electronic devices.

Patents derived from the research program will continue to be licensed exclusively to Universal Display. Princeton will continue to manage the patent portfolio on behalf of all three universities. To date, the company's relationships with Forrest and Thompson have yielded more than 200 US patents along with numerous foreign counterparts. Their work under the program extension will continue to focus on advances in these areas, while at the same time supporting their cutting-edge organic electronics research.

"It is exciting to continue to be part of Universal Display, and collaborate with Mark Thompson as the OLED industry enters such an important stage," said Forrest. "As energy efficient [Phosphorescent OLED] (PHOLED) displays become part of the everyday, a new realm of opportunity is also opening up for the technology in lighting and flexible applications. I look forward to continuing my partnership with Universal Display and helping shape the burgeoning organic electronics industry."

"It has been an extremely fulfilling experience working with Universal Display and Steve Forrest over the past 15 years," said Thompson. "This next phase of research and development will witness not only growth in the current PHOLED display industry, but fantastic new innovations that we only dreamed of in 1994. I am excited to be part of helping make these innovations a reality."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

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