lambda -- full colour, energy efficient, ultra-thin and bendable reflective display.

Project Information

Lambda

Grant agreement ID: 790100

DOI

10.3030/790100

Project closed

EC signature date 19 November 2017

Start date 1 December 2017

End date 31 May 2018

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

RDOT AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Lambda (lambda -- full colour, energy efficient, ultra-thin and bendable reflective display.)

Reporting period: 2017-12-01 to 2018-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The rdot display technology is being developed to become the most environmentally friendly display technology on the market. We take a holistic perspective in this development, considering the materials used, the manufacturing process, the energy consumption during use, and lastly, the end-of-life management. We are developing new organic materials that do not need to be extracted from the earth's crust, which is the current state in the display industry. We're also using new efficient manufacturing processes, namely printing techniques, instead of energy consuming vacuum deposition methods. Lastly, the display technology can save as much as 95% energy comparing to existing technologies thanks to its reflective rather than emissive nature. Since the display device is the biggest energy thief in consumer electronic devices, there is a great need for a fundamental technology change.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The first task was to “Identify and assess suitability and abilities of commercial partners to maximize value creation and accelerate time to market”.
The success of rdot’s technology is reliant upon both R&D-functions within the company, to enable a functioning display medium, as well as successful execution in terms of initiating cooperation with companies with complementing skills and component expertise. The company has throughout the project period engaged in a deeper collaboration with selected actors in order to jointly accelerate the R&D process. The collaboration with those actors has several benefits; rdot will have the opportunity to license background IP which can be further developed and commercialized. Also, rdot and their collaborators will jointly develop foreground IP based on know-how from both parties.

The second task was to “Identify required technical specifications for different application areas”. The method to fulfill this task was to demonstrate prototypes to potential partners and/or customers. Based on their feedback, a technical specification has been identified. The data is primarily collected from display manufacturers and end-users for the specific markets. Furthermore, an external display consultant has been used to validate and complement the technical specifications.

The third task included an analysis of market conditions, competition, and demand.
When meeting potential customers and partners to demonstrate the technology in accordance with Task 2, the market conditions, competition, and demand was evaluated. interactions with customers and partners were the primary sources of information in order to analyze the market. A secondary source was available market reports regarding the display industry.

The fourth and last task was to develop a business plan. Display manufacturing generally requires significant investments in machinery and clean room facilities as well as know-how regarding production and quality assurance. That is why rdot tentative business model consists of a licensing business model. The intended revenue model will be divided into three parts; a fixed fee, a running royalty, and a material sales component. The fixed fee will be a way for rdot to assure a predictable revenue based on the number of licenses that are granted.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

A significantly improved display technology, from an environmental perspective, will have a great socio-economic impact. Firstly, there are several markets where the rdot display can replace existing environmentally unfriendly technologies. Furthermore, thanks to its low power, thinness, and bendability, there are new markets that can be addressed that has no been targeted by the display industry before due to its technological limitations. This means that new technology can enhance user experience in markets such as packaging, clothing, architecture, and other markets where displays have typically not been seen before. The increasing demand for low-power display solutions for battery-driven applications or solar-powered applications is inevitable. With this in mind, we envisage a company growth that allows an increased employment rate within the European Union, also driving a socio-economic benefit.

rdot logotype

vivid colors and bendable