NISKAYUNA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2003--
NIST, GE and ECD Ovonics Collaborate on $13 Million Project
GE Global Research, the centralized research organization of General Electric (NYSE: GE), and Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENER) announced today that they have been awarded a grant from the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) of the U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a low-cost, roll-to-roll process for the production of large-area organic electronic devices. ATP based its selection on the innovation, technical risk, potential economic benefits to the nation, and strength of the commercialization plan of the program. This project breaks new ground in the development of large, thin and flexible electronics systems.
The cost of the $13 million, four-year project will be shared among NIST, GE and ECD Ovonics. The program goal is to create a cost-effective system for the mass production of products such as flexible electronic paper displays, portable TV screens the size of posters, embedded sensors, solar powered cells and high-efficiency lighting devices.
The proposed roll-to-roll research prototype line will input a roll of plastic film and output working organic electronic devices. GE will design and provide the organic electronic technology, while ECD Ovonics will provide its unique roll-to-roll equipment-building expertise. The key is to form the active organic layers using low-cost printing techniques such as gravure or screen printing.
If successful, the program will demonstrate that organic electronic devices can be made on flexible material in a continuous roll-to-roll process without the huge capital investment normally required for batch-processed inorganic semiconductor technology. This will be the first attempt to create roll-to-roll manufacturing equipment specifically designed for the unique requirements of organic electronic device fabrication. To date, the two major technology challenges that scientists face are: ensuring that roll-to-roll processing is compatible with the materials and device designs, and integrating all of the fabrication steps into one line.
"The NIST funding ensures a long-term commitment to this high-risk, high-reward project and permits developing materials, techniques and equipment that have broader applications," said Anil Duggal, manager of GE's light energy conversion program. "Although GE and ECD Ovonics will have to overcome some significant technological challenges, we are excited about the tremendous impact this program could have on establishing new, low-cost industries and an energy-efficient future for the United States."
The project will require expertise in organic electronic device physics and fabrication, as well as equipment design and roll-to-roll processing. Experts agree that organic electronic devices will undoubtedly tap a new market, involving applications that can be produced in large quantities over large areas and at a low price. The carbon-based materials combine efficient semiconducting properties with mechanical properties that permit flexible, lightweight applications. Consequently, organic electronics will enable scientists to create products that were never before thought possible.
"ECD Ovonics is pleased to be involved in such an innovative program," said Stanford R. Ovshinsky, president and CEO of ECD Ovonics. "The combination of mechanically flexible sheets of plastic with our unique Ovonic(TM) thin-film, continuous web roll-to-roll manufacturing technique will affect a broad range of organic electronic devices ranging from lighting to solar cells to displays. This program could place the United States in a leadership position in creating a more cost-effective and energy-efficient future."
Background on Organic Electronic Devices and Implications
In the 1970s, certain types of organic polymers were discovered to have semiconductor or metallic electrical properties. Since the 1990s, a substantial effort has been devoted to discovering how to use these polymers to manufacture organic electronic devices. Organic electronics have the potential to transform and grow numerous markets.
This technology will revolutionize the way we interact with data in our increasingly information-rich society. It will not only be used in the specialty lighting/signage market, but it will also open new lighting and architectural applications such as "wrap-around lighting," "lighting wallpaper," and "lighting curtains." Other applications include barcodes and smart cards that require inherent mechanical flexibility, and single-use applications such as radio-frequency accessible luggage or price tags. Numerous potential flexible electronic applications also exist in the military and homeland security arena. Examples range from large-area distributed devices for sensing pollutants or biological agents in building ventilation systems and water treatment areas, to sensor arrays weaved into the clothing of military personnel.
The machine will be built at the Global Research facility, where researchers will continue to study the behavior of organic electronics in order to manufacture devices as thin and flexible as paper. GE and ECD Ovonics envision a machine approximately 23 meters long and 4 meters wide, which would be built in reconfigurable modules.
About GE Global Research
GE Global Research is one of the world's most diversified industrial research labs, providing innovative technology for all of GE's businesses. Global Research has been the cornerstone of GE technology for more than 100 years, developing breakthrough innovations in areas such as medical imaging, energy generation technology, jet engines and lighting. GE Global Research is headquartered in Niskayuna, New York and has facilities in Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; and Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research at www.research.ge.com.
About ECD Ovonics
ECD Ovonics is the leader in the synthesis of new materials and the development of advanced production technology and innovative products. It has invented, pioneered and developed enabling technologies in the fields of energy and information leading to new products and production processes based on amorphous, disordered and related materials. ECD Ovonics' proprietary advanced information technologies include Ovonic phase-change electrical memory, Ovonic phase-change optical memory (widely used in rewritable CD and DVD storage media) and the Ovonic Threshold Switch. The Company's portfolio of alternative energy solutions include thin-film amorphous solar cells, modules, panels and systems for generating solar electric power; NiMH batteries; hydride storage materials capable of storing hydrogen in the solid state for use as a feedstock for fuel cells or internal combustion engines or as an enhancement or replacement for any type of hydrocarbon fuel; and fuel cells. ECD Ovonics designs and builds manufacturing machinery that incorporates its proprietary production processes, maintains ongoing research and development programs to continually improve its products and develops new applications for its technologies. ECD Ovonics holds the basic patents in its fields. More information on ECD Ovonics is available on www.ovonic.com.
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which GE and ECD Ovonics, as of the date of this release, believes to be reasonable and appropriate. GE and ECD Ovonics cautions, however, that the actual facts and conditions that may exist in the future could vary materially from the assumed facts and conditions upon which such forward-looking statements are based.
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CONTACT:
GE Global Research:
Jim Healy, 518-387-6284
or
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.:
Ghazaleh Koefod, 248-293-0440