Professor P.K. Nathan is chief technology officer of start-up OLED-T

Do you think vacuum deposited OLED materials, like yours, can keep market share against printable OLED materials?

Absolutely, as 95 per cent of the OLED manufacturers in Japan, Korea and Taiwan are already using vacuum deposition and have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the capital equipment/infrastructure. I expect vacuum deposited small molecules to dominate the display market for at least the next ten years. As for OLED-T, we have vacuum process capabilities in place today and we are actively developing printable OLED materials.

When do you think we might see an OLED TV?

OLED TV has already been demonstrated by Sony and Samsung SDI. However, I believe it will probably be another five to seven years before people will be able to go into their local electrical store and buy one.

Can you see OLEDs ever being bright enough for primary phone displays?

Yes. AUO is currently manufacturing active matrix OLEDs as primary displays for mobile phones. They are sold under the BenQ-Siemens brand name. OLED phones just look fantastic as the displays are more vibrant than their LED counterparts and will provide a greater user experience.

LEDs are the big new thing in general lighting. How could OLEDs get a share of this market?

LEDs are point sources, whereas OLEDs are surface emitters. In due course, they will also be cheaper to produce across large areas. OLED-based lighting can pave the way for all ceiling lighting and in the future illuminating complex shapes. In addition, OLEDs can potentially be recyclable too.

How long will it be before OLED firms can stop talking about lifetime and differential ageing?

It will probably take three to four years before people stop talking about lifetimes and may be five to seven years before differential ageing. Lifetimes for small molecule-based red and green OLEDs are already very good – in excess of 150,000 hours – and blue OLEDs are demonstrating lifetimes in excess of 10,000 hours. These are good enough for most portable applications, such as mobile phones, MP3/MP4 players and PDAs, as well car audio and dashboard displays.