Summary of achievements:
Focused on design, development, industrialization & technology transfer of solution-deposited organic semiconductor backplanes
Breakthrough truFLEX® technology
o Slot-in replacement for silicon TFT layers
o World leading electronic performance, mobility of >4
o Compatible with existing manufacturing lines for displays both glass and plastic (flat, bendable or foldable)
o Full backplane stack compatible with 150-800 dpi
o Transistors robust enough to operate in the flexure region of flexible displays
Technology platform enables thinner, lighter, and stronger displays at lower cost
World class technology team
o 46 qualified professionals (15 PhDs, 4 MSc’s, 6 BSc’s) with 200+ combined years industrial & R&D pedigree
Overall, the project deliverables have been met and good technical progress has been made. In some areas the project is ahead of plan. For example, delivery of the proof of principle task relating to development of a best-in-class OSC materials set and matched TFT interlayer stack is ahead of plan. Similarly, substantial progress has been made in developing engineering Process of Records (PORs) to underpin transfer of the truFLEXTM materials onto display manufacturers’ lines. Commercial interest in the project outputs is high with two large display manufacturers in Asia keen to collaborate. These organisations have already signed Letters of Intent to commercialise the truFLEX/TransFlex technology.
Progress has continued on developing our Products & Processes, we have documented our Process of Records (PORs) and are developing them as necessary to meet the customer's specifications and requirements.
Through our successful execution and qualification on the Gen 1 platform, we are actively working with our customer to also qualify at Gen 3.5 technology. The project has assigned resources on both sides and is an excellent opportunity to further develop its products and processes and to enter the Market with a robust product. We plan to complete this qualification in late 2019 and then become qualified at Gen 3.5 soon after.
This should generate Revenues & grow our market share across our customer base, subsequent customer qualifications should follow. We are also looking at Licencing agreements with other customers to further grow our business. This should lead to the development of improved back planes for mobile phones, Tablets, Wearables and other applications. The technology could see a paradigm shift in the way back planes are manufactured and used in technology products.
For the consumer, products which are lighter, lower cost and more robust should enter the market in the foreseeable future and be applied across a number of applications and technologies. Future applications can then be developed further as the market develops.
Other customers should also adopt the technology to apply to their products e.g Automotive, Aerospace, Defence, Medical devices, home entertainment
Conclusion
The goals for the Flextrans project have been met as we have developed Processes &Products to meet our customer’s goals and technology roadmaps.
We have completed customer qualifications with more to follow.
We have engaged with several Investors a Partners in this process to further the development of our business
The truFLEX® technology is a new departure in the display industry as we continue to develop a flexible, low cost dynamic solution for display applications
The Flextrans project has helped to enable Smartkem to meet its growth plans and be an innovative organisation employing 40+ people in the UK, Europe and Asia
