#South Korea #Smartkem #Busan #microLED #IMID 2025

Smartkem to Showcase Groundbreaking Technology at IMID 2025

Smartkem, a prominent company in the world of advanced electronics, is set to deliver key presentations at the 25th International Meeting on Information Display (IMID 2025), taking place from August 19 to 22, 2025, in Busan, Korea. This year's conference theme, "Beyond Pixels, Beyond Limits," aligns perfectly with Smartkem's mission to redefine display technology through innovative developments.

Who Will Speak?

On Wednesday, August 20, Smartkem will present two significant talks at the event. The first will be led by Steven Tsai, the company's Head of Technology Transfer. He will speak on behalf of Prof. Hao-Chung Kuo, the Dean of the Hon Hai Research Institute, discussing "Advancements and Strategies for Enhancing Efficiency in MicroLED Displays" at 9:00 AM. Following him at 9:30 AM, Dr. Simon Ogier, Smartkem's Chief Technology Officer, will present on "Micro-LED Displays Fabricated Chip-First, Enabled by Low-Temperature Organic Transistor Technology."

What Innovations Will Be Discussed?

The presentations are expected to cover Smartkem's latest advancements in semiconductor technology, particularly its proprietary chip-first microLED manufacturing architecture. This new method has recently been supported by a UK patent, fortifying Smartkem's intellectual property in the evolving market of next-generation display production.

Steven Tsai will dive into the technical roadmap for secondary optics designed for MicroLED displays. This session will highlight Smartkem's collaboration with AUO, Taiwan's largest display manufacturer, to pioneer a transparent, rollable display using PEN-based substrates capable of elongation greater than 100%.

Dr. Simon Ogier's presentation will elaborate on how Smartkem's unique approach to MicroLED display fabrication not only improves the manufacturing process but also directly addresses challenges related to high production yields and cost efficiency. By reversing the traditional manufacturing process and placing the MicroLED chip facing upwards, this innovative technique bypasses the necessity of eutectic bonding, which often incurs excessive costs. Instead, the integration of a planarized organic layer and precision via metallization streamlines electrical connections across diverse substrates, such as sapphire, silicon, and plastic.

Notably, the low-temperature operation of Smartkem's organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) technology—conducted below 150°C—protects delicate MicroLED structures from heat damage, enhancing the viability of these displays in active-matrix applications.

The Future of Display Technology

Smartkem's innovations signal substantial advancements toward resolving the key technical barriers that have historically hindered the commercialization of MicroLED technology. With a focus on energy efficiency, improved brightness uniformity, and the potential for thinner, more adaptable display panels, Smartkem continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in consumer electronics.

The company's extensive intellectual property portfolio, boasting 140 granted patents and numerous pending applications, underscores its commitment to leading the future of display technologies. Smartkem’s research and development, based in Manchester, UK, and collaboration with esteemed partners such as The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Taiwan, form the backbone of this drive for innovation.

For more information about Smartkem and its groundbreaking work in semiconductor technology, you can visit their website or follow their updates on LinkedIn.

About IMID

The IMID conference is a premier global platform for experts in the field of information display technologies. Organized annually by the Korean Information Display Society and endorsed by the Society for Information Display, IMID provides opportunities for industry professionals, researchers, and academics to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and collaborate on future projects.

At IMID 2025, Smartkem’s participation reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of display technology. Whether it’s enhancing efficiency in manufacturing processes or providing cutting-edge materials, Smartkem is at the forefront of this rapid technological evolution.