2016 highlights: Our award-winning flexible displays and sensors
Desi Aleksandrova, Marketing Communications Manager
December 05, 2016
As 2016 is coming to an end we take a look at our company’s achievements in the past 12 months.
This year saw FlexEnable realise a few technological successes with flexible displays and flexible sensors that allowed us to target fast-expanding markets for these applications including automotive, consumer electronics and security. In parallel, we have built new exciting partnerships with end-user companies and supply chain members that are already accelerating the transfer of our cutting-edge OTFT technology from lab to fab.
Here is a summary of FlexEnable’s 2016 highlights.
World’s first large area fingerprint and vein sensor on plastic
In January, we revealed, with partner ISORG, the world’s first large area flexible fingerprint sensor on plastic designed for biometric applications. This revolutionary flexible sensor is only 0.3 mm thick and can operate in visible and near infra-red up to wavelengths of 900 nm. The technology is capable of measuring not only the fingerprint, but also the configuration of veins in the fingers, providing additional security versus that of a surface fingerprint alone.
Wrist-worn conformable organic LCD on plastic
In February, we exhibited at MWC Barcelona, where we showed for the first time a conformable organic LCD (OLCD) wrapped around the wrist. Despite being only a proof of concept, the demo was a great success and attracted a lot of media attention.
Our OLCD technology can replace glass-based displays in mainstream applications, and open up new use cases on surfaces where flat glass displays don’t make sense. Conforming displays to surfaces improves the comfort, safety and overall user experience and design of the product. Applications include automotive, digital signage, wearables and other consumer electronics that will benefit from creative designs, increased functionality and unbreakable screens.
Following our technological successes, the next few months saw us exhibit and speak at major trade shows including LOPEC, IDTechEx, SID Display Week, MWC Shanghai and Semicon Europe, giving us a platform to connect with other industry leaders and partners.
Highest resolution flexible fingerprint sensor
Building on the work we have done with flexible fingerprint sensors in January, we revealed the highest resolution flexible fingerprint sensor in October at the Biometrics Conference in London. The 0.3 mm thick optical fingerprint sensor, developed with ISORG, is the only flexible sensor with 500 dots per inch (dpi) image resolution. It can be curved and applied to almost any surface, unlike traditional fingerprint sensors that have form factor constraints due to the use of glass. The sensor is suitable for FBI-certification and can be paired with any end-user software to create low false acceptance (FAR) and rejection rates (FRR). In November, we showcased the 500 dpi flexible fingerprint sensor in a smart card form factor at Trustech in Cannes.
IET Innovation Awards winner
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest highlights for us in 2016 was the double-win of the IET Innovation Awards in both the Start-up and Emerging Technology Design categories. We are delighted that out of 300 entries from 25 countries our technology stood out for the judges.
It is great to end the year on a high note, while also having a lot more to look forward to in 2017.
Visit out events page to see what we are up to next year and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter for the latest updates.
If you’d like to share your highlights – on our tech, the industry, or future applications – please get in touch at info@flexenable.com.
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