Smartkem Enhances Innovation with New MicroLED Manufacturing Patent

Smartkem's New Breakthrough in Electronics Innovation

Manchester, England - June 23, 2025
Smartkem, a company listed on Nasdaq under the symbol SMTK, is making waves in the electronics arena with its groundbreaking developments in transistor technology. Recently, the firm announced the acquisition of a new patent from the UK that unveils a novel method for MicroLED display manufacturing. This addition significantly broadens Smartkem’s already extensive intellectual property portfolio, which now encompasses a total of 140 granted patents across 17 families, and bolsters their standing in the competitive tech landscape.

The newly granted patent specifically focuses on a manufacturing technique that allows for the efficient patterning of organic thin-film transistors (OTFT) on MicroLEDs while facilitating their selective removal from a source wafer. Ian Jenks, Smartkem's Chairman and CEO, emphasized the importance of this innovation, stating, "This patent improves our current processes by enhancing efficiency while also aiming to cut down material waste and production costs considerably."

What Makes This Patent Unique?

Unlike conventional monolithic MicroLED display manufacturing methods, where the entire assembly process occurs on a single substrate, Smartkem’s approach utilizes a selective transfer of MicroLEDs. This method enables manufacturers to take only the necessary LEDs from their growth substrate and place them onto a new display substrate. By specifically preparing a MicroLED wafer and applying an adhesion layer for selected exposed LEDs, a backplane of OTFTs is deposited, connecting to the designated LEDs. This assembly can then be lifted from the initial wafer and repositioned onto a new display substrate.

This innovative strategy presents a more sustainable and cost-effective solution. Since the traditional method often results in a complete dependency on a single source wafer, it is less resource-efficient. In contrast, Smartkem's new technique allows for repeated use of the source wafer, ultimately minimizing the costs associated with display manufacturing.

Advancements in Semiconductor Technology

Smartkem strives to revolutionize the electronics landscape through its advanced semiconductor materials. The TRUFLEX® semiconductor polymers pioneered by the company facilitate low-temperature printing processes, seamlessly integrating with existing manufacturing infrastructures. This compatibility fosters the production of cost-effective, high-performance displays across various technology sectors, including MicroLED, LCD, AMOLED, and applications in advanced computing, AI chip packaging, and sensors.

The research and development efforts of Smartkem are based at its facility in Manchester, UK, showcasing a commitment to innovation within the electronics industry. Additionally, the company is actively collaborating with the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) located in Sedgefield for prototyping services. The establishment of a regional office in Hsinchu, Taiwan, further emphasizes Smartkem’s international ambition, particularly in working with technical institutions like The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).

The Road Ahead for Smartkem

As Smartkem embarks on the path towards a commercial-scale production process, it is also developing Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools aimed at verifying the commercial viability of its next-generation displays produced with its innovative materials. The management and development teams at Smartkem are diligently working to finalize ideas that could transform industry standards and improve the manufacturing landscape moving forward.

Ultimately, Smartkem’s commitment to fostering advancements in display technologies remains steadfast as they continue to grow their intellectual property base and explore new innovations that challenge the norms within the electronics sector. Investors and industry watchers alike can anticipate significant developments from the company as it strives to enhance efficiency and sustainability in electronics manufacturing.