"Printed" displays, produced cheaper than LCDs

Want to be able to "print" a flat-panel display using an inkjet printer? Well, you can't try it at home, but several companies are already doing it, using special printers that print light-emitting polymers onto sheets of glass or plastic. The resulting polymer OLED (PLED) displays can be produced at a lower cost than conventional LCDs. While most PLED production is currently limited to small quantities and specialty products (though 40-inch PLED displays have been demoed), Ian Chao of U.K.-based PLED-producer Cambridge Display Technologies, sees PLED TVs hitting the market within two years. Which should be just in time for us to buy another set.

[eMarrs @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

It would be really cool if you could go down to the store and give them some dimensions of a space on your wall, and have them print out a tv for you that fits snugly in any chosen spot in your house.

[Jason Reich @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

CDT have been saying that PLED displays are 2 years away for the past 7 years. I've learned to take their predictions with a pinch of salt.

[Terrigan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Well.. Every company wants to have a consumers' attention for so many reason... But.. if this tech can be populated with in 5 yrs, laptop and cell phone / PDA scene will be remarkably changed... that's for sure... I just hope this tech don't get manipulated by 1 company... this tech. can make every consumer electronics cheaper...

[Adrian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Agree with first comment, I read about Cambridge technologies development about 5 years ago and they were saying exactly the same thing. From what I've seen they've not moved on in that time.

[Shane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I don't get what this is... Whoopee a big yellow square, exciting..

[Shane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I don't get what this is... Whoopee a big yellow square, exciting..

[Shane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I don't get what it is... Whoopee a big yellow square, exciting..

[SunSeeker @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I used to work for one of the founders, Andy Holmes, about 8 years ago. Believe me they have moved on a long way from back then when they discovered the principal by accident and were having trouble getting these things to last for any length of time and different coloured LEPs seemed light years away. I wish I had the opportunity to invest back then.
When this technology is finally viable, products like James Bonds LEP coated car will be possible as will cheap flexible displays. Imagine widescreen large format TVs being shipped as 'ink' ready to be printed onto a substrate and also imagine this being used instead of four colour printing on product packaging in years to come.