FlexTech Alliance Awards Contract to APS to Develop Flexible Optical Substrates

The FlexTech Alliance (formerly known as the U.S. Display Consortium or USDC), recently awarded a contract to Akron Polymer Systems (APS) to develop transparent polymer films for flexible display technologies. Currently, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are made on rigid glass substrates, making the displays heavier, thicker, inflexible, vulnerable to breakage and limited in product design freedom. Development of flexible, optically transparent polymers will enhance potential applications for displays by enabling the display device to be flexible, lighter weight, thinner and more durable.

The goal of this project is to develop polymer materials that can potentially replace the glass substrates now used in LCDs, as well as other display technologies. In order to successfully replace glass, a polymer that can deliver optical, thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties is necessary.

The FlexTech Alliance R&D program is a collaborative effort between private industry and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located in Adelphi, MD.

FlexTech Alliance
Akron Polymer Systems