MicroEmissive powers up for mass production

, a Scottish company commercialising micro-displays that use light-emitting polymer technology, said it is close to tying up a deal for volume manufacture of its devices.

A spin-off from Edinburgh and Napier universities, MicroEmissive Displays is developing low-power displays for use on items such as digital cameras and other products that use electronic viewfinders.

The company has spent several years developing polymer organic LED technology that can deliver high-resolution colour images at very low power consumption, targeting the boom in portable devices that need to make the most of limited battery life to deliver acceptable performance to consumers.

Reporting its first set of financial results since floating on London’s Alternative Investment Market, the firm said that it was making progress with several product developers, including a Japanese company building an ultra-compact digital camera called Cheez.

Another promising application for its technology is a UK-designed night vision system aimed at consumers, which MicroEmissive Displays said could lead to further spin-off developments in the military and security sectors.

The company said its ‘crucial’ next step would be to tie up an agreement for volume manufacturing capability, probably in Asia and with a company already experienced in display production.

‘Following an extensive worldwide review of potential partners the company is in discussion with a shortlist of three organisations that have the skills and facilities to support volume manufacturing,’ MicroEmissive Displays told its investors. It expects to make a final decision within the next few months.

The company has an agreement with Dow Chemical for the supply of polymer materials and hopes to begin volume shipment of its displays in the second half of 2005.

MicroEmissive Displays added that applications relating to 14 patent families were making progress across the world, with further patent applications likely during the year.