Dutch R&D institute Holst Centre (set up by imec and TNO) and American ultra-thin ceramics supplier ENrG Inc. have created the first ever ceramic-based, large-area flexible OLED. The device, manufactured on the 20-40 µm thick Thin E-Strate^® ceramic substrate, promises a lifetime in excess of 10 years without the formation of blackspots. The ceramic carrier is also easy to handle and capable of withstanding the high temperatures used in display backplane manufacturing and standard sintering processes.

The ceramic substrate used for the 12 cm by 2.5 cm prototype OLED device combines many of the best properties of other flexible OLED carriers. It offers an intrinsic barrier to protect the sensitive OLED from the environment, as with metal foils or flexible glass. But it is much easier to handle than either. Like plastic films, the ceramic offers the potential for semi-transparent devices. In fact, its slight opaqueness actively improves light outcoupling, opening the door to higher devices efficiencies. Unlike plastic films, though, the ceramic can withstand temperatures up to 1000 ^oC.