Press Release
LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES AND E INK TO CO-DEVELOP FIRST ALL-PRINTED "ELECTRONIC PAPER"
Cambridge, MA. and Murray Hill, N.J. - October 12, 1999 – Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) and E Ink Corporation announced today a joint development agreement that aims to move electronic books and newspapers resembling flexible plastic sheets one step closer to reality.
The two companies plan to develop "electronic paper," which would be the first flexible, plastic electronic display entirely made with a process similar to ink-on-paper printing, rather than the more costly silicon-chip manufacturing process. The same technology, which allows for instantaneous updating via computer link, also may lead to ultra-thin, lightweight displays for next-generation consumer electronics, such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants.
The key elements of electronic paper would be plastic transistors, developed at Lucent's Bell Labs, which have the same properties as conventional silicon chips but are flexible and can be printed, and E Ink's electronic ink. Electronic ink is comprised of millions of tiny microcapsules filled with a dark dye and light pigment. When charged by the electric field created by the plastic transistors, the microcapsules will change color and create images.
The objective of the Lucent/E Ink collaboration is to print the plastic transistors onto a flexible plastic film coated with electronic ink. "Our goal is to make a paper-like film that is as flexible and easy to read as ink on paper," says Bell Labs researcher Pierre Wiltzius. Bell Labs researchers printed the world's first plastic transistor two years ago on transparency-like film with a silk-screening technique, similar to printing designs on T-shirts.
"We see this collaboration with Lucent as a way to demonstrate how electronic ink and printed transistors can revolutionize traditional paper media. This effort is a natural extension of the successes we've had at E Ink in our growth as a company," said Paul Drzaic, director of E Ink's display technology division.
Earlier this year, E Ink conducted the first public viewing of an electronic ink display. The company's large area Immedia™ signs are currently being tested in several retail settings. Immedia displays, which are more readable and less expensive than LED or LCD displays, will be available for purchase early next year.
While the electronic components of today's electronic ink displays are based on conventional silicon technology, electronic ink is highly compatible with Lucent's plastic transistors.
"We're excited to be able to combine Lucent and E Ink technologies in a way that could enable truly revolutionary devices," Drzaic said.
About Lucent Technologies
Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronics components. Bell Laboratories is the research and development arm for the company.
About E Ink Holdings
Founded in 1992 by Taiwan's leading papermaking and printing group YFY (1907.TW), E Ink Holdings Inc. "E Ink" (8069.TW) is the pioneer of TFT and ePaper business in Taiwan. Its corporate philosophy aims to deliver revolutionary products, user experiences, and environmental benefits through advanced technology development. This vision has led to its continuous investments in the field of ePaper display as well as its 2008 acquisition of Hydis Technologies, manufacturer of the world's best wide viewing angle LCDs and its 2009 acquisition of E Ink Corp., the worldwide leader in ePaper. Listed in Taiwan's GreTai Securities Market and the Luxembourg market, E Ink is now the world's largest supplier of displays to the eBook market. For corporate information, please visit www.einkgroup.com; for EPD information, please visit www.eink.com / tw.eink.com; and for FFS information, please visit www.hydis.com.