Diple Association Plans Preliminary Feasibility Study Project for Dream 'MicroLED' and Other Self-Emissive Displays

"Presentation of 13 Core Application Items"

Commemorative photo of attendees at the 'Second General Planning Committee Meeting for the Preliminary Feasibility Study Project on Weapon Radiation'.
From the bottom left: Hwang Cheol-ju, Chairman of Joosung Engineering (Co-Chairman), Chu Hye-yong, Vice President of Samsung Display, Lee Dong-wook, Vice Chairman of Korea Display Industry Association, Jang Jin, Professor at Kyung Hee University (Chairman), Han Min-gu, Professor at Seoul National University, Kim Yong-seok, Professor at Hongik University, Kim Chi-woo, President of APS Research.
From the top left: So Soon-jong, Head of Materials, Components, and Equipment Strategy Division at Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, Park Young-ho, Display PD, Joo Byung-kwon, Professor at Korea University, Choi Woo-hyuk, Director of Semiconductor Display Division at Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Yoon Soo-young, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of LG Display, Kim Byung-wook, Vice President of Dongjin Semichem, Jin Byung-doo, Vice Chairman of Korea Information Display Society, Kang Sung-won, Director of Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Han Cheol-jong, Center Director of Korea Electronics Technology Institute, Kim Young-woo, Head of Korea Photonics Technology Institute. (Photo by Korea Display Industry Association)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Korea Display Industry Association announced on the 27th that it has finalized the project name and scope for the preliminary feasibility study planning research project on the "Inorganic Light-Emitting Display and Ecosystem Construction Project" in collaboration with the government and public institutions. Inorganic light-emitting displays refer to self-emissive displays based on inorganic materials such as microLED, nano-scale LED, and QD (Quantum Dot). As the next-generation display surpassing organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), it features ultra-high definition and ultra-scalability applicable to all products ranging from 0.3 inches to 300 inches.

The second meeting of the General Planning Committee was held from 7:30 a.m. at the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul in Seocho-gu, Seoul, attended by 19 key experts from industry, academia, and research institutes, including Yoon Sooyoung, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of LG Display, and Lee Changhee, Head of Samsung Display Research Institute. The inorganic light-emitting display market is expected to grow to $55 billion (approximately 78 trillion KRW) by 2045, indicating high potential.

The committee decided to name the preliminary feasibility project "ARGOS." The name combines the characteristics of an "All-Round" form factor capable of realizing any shape, "Green" products with ultra-low power consumption and eco-friendly processes, and "Off-Size" technology enabling seamless infinite expansion. Argos is the name of a Greek mythological god with a hundred eyes, symbolizing the "eyes of industry" and evoking the concept of "display."

The greatest feature of inorganic light-emitting displays is infinite scalability. By seamlessly connecting 55-inch panels the size of TVs, displays larger than 300 inches can be created, serving as cinema screens that provide a lifelike immersive experience. Large advertising boards installed on building exteriors can also reproduce vivid content that appears to pop out of the screen with image quality exceeding 8K.

Its ability to freely expand in any direction offers new everyday experiences. In autonomous vehicles, inorganic light-emitting displays can be attached to any curved surface inside to enjoy various content. As surface-mounted displays, they can decorate the vehicle exterior at will and facilitate communication between vehicles, enhancing driving safety. Even inorganic light-emitting displays attached to clothing or skin can instantly receive and display brain and biometric signals, helping users with communication difficulties avoid emergencies.

The high-efficiency pixel emission characteristics of inorganic light-emitting displays can drastically reduce product power consumption, leading the "greening" of all electronic devices. Like LEGO blocks, they can be assembled into various display forms. They can be reused through assembly and disassembly as needed, which is significant for resource recycling.

On this day, the committee also discussed four major strategies to secure a technological competitive edge over rival countries. These include innovation in materials and components, modular manufacturing process innovation, product innovation, and the establishment of a smart modular center. They confirmed the four major strategies and core technologies for securing the world's first mass production technology of inorganic light-emitting displays and building a domestic materials, components, and equipment ecosystem, agreeing to establish detailed implementation strategies through working groups for each strategy going forward.

Lee Dongwook, Vice Chairman of the Display Industry Association, said in his greeting, "In the rapidly changing industrial environment marked by digital transformation, environmental issues, and non-face-to-face economic activities, inorganic light-emitting displays embody future life values such as flexibility, boundarylessness, and eco-friendliness, showing new growth potential." He added, "From the perspective of creating future growth engines through future-oriented public-private joint investment strategies, this preliminary feasibility planning has significant industrial meaning." He further stated, "We expect that the execution of the four core strategies will lay the foundation for Korea Display to maintain its world-leading position."

This inorganic light-emitting preliminary feasibility project planning will continue until March next year. After gathering opinions across the industry, it plans to apply as a preliminary feasibility study target project next year.