FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2005
Enhanced testing service will measure water vapor permeation through glass and plastic substrates
SAN JOSE, California – May 10, 2005 – The U.S. Display Consortium (USDC), a public/private partnership chartered with developing the flat panel display (FPD) industry supply chain, today announced a $253,000 cost-shared project with General Atomics of San Diego, CA. The project’s objective is for General Atomics to establish a testing service to measure permeation rates of water vapor through epoxy-sealed glass, as well as plastic substrates.
The award to General Atomics follows on a previous contract issued in October 2003. That contract established the technical capability to use a radioactive tracer material – tritium - to measure water vapor permeation rates through organic (plastic) film substrates. The follow-on contract will measure permeation rates at thermally accelerated conditions up to 85º C. This is necessary to reduce the test time and cost and to determine the temperature dependence of the permeation rate in order to predict display performance and reliability in various operating environments.
The USDC-sponsored project is expected to be completed in twelve months. During that time, General Atomics will complete a re-design of existing testing procedures and hardware.
The USDC program is a collaborative effort of private industry and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located in Adelphi, MD. "I am pleased at the success of the first USDC contract with General Atomics and applaud both companies for moving forward,” stated Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA/53). "A strong supply chain for new forms of displays will speed the Army's transformation to communication products incorporating flexible materials."
This second contract with the GA Display Products group is geared towards a new generation of flat panel displays - Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED). It leverages GA's long experience with radioactive materials and the particular expertise of Senior Engineer Roko Bujas.
About the U.S. Display Consortium
The USDC is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information can be found at www.usdc.org.
About General Atomics
General Atomics, founded in 1955, specializes in diversified research, development, and manufacturing in defense, energy, and other advanced technologies. For more information about General Atomics, visit the company website at www.ga.com.
Heidi M. Hoffman
Director of Marketing & Communications
USDC
408.277.2400
heidi@usdc.org
www.usdc.org