Plextronics has announced that it has signed a license agreement with Northwestern University. The agreement will integrate the thin film and molecular innovations of acclaimed chemist Tobin J. Marks, Professor at Northwestern, into Plextronics' Plexcore technology platform.
Plexcore HIL is an innovative polymer-based hole injection layer that dramatically improves the efficiency and lifetime of OLED devices. Tobin J. Marks' breakthrough work with hole injection layers (HILs) is complementary to Plexcore HIL and will be easily integrated into a comprehensive solution for customers.
The joint effort between Plextronics and Northwestern will accelerate dramatic improvements in device efficiency and lifetime, two critical barriers to the commercialization of OLED devices. As part of the collaboration, Plextronics is making a substantial research investment at Northwestern University involving the synthesis and study of photonic materials used to produce OLED displays.
Tim Swager, head of the Department of Chemistry at MIT and head of Plextronics' Technical Advisory Board, stated, "Tobin Marks has made many seminal contributions in chemistry and materials science. His recent breakthroughs in HIL technology are no exception and will be an important asset to Plextronics' HIL technology platform."
"At Northwestern, we have developed cross-linkable hole-transporting and electron-blocking materials as effective components for OLED HILs. This allows for optimum device performance," stated Tobin J. Marks, Professor of Chemistry and Materials Science at Northwestern. "The inclusion of this technology into the Plexcore platform will speed up the global commercialization of OLED devices. I look forward to working with Plextronics to accelerate the market's development."
"Marks' innovations complement and will easily integrate into the active layer technology of Plexcore HIL," said Shawn P. Williams, Vice President of Technology for Plextronics. "This relationship allows Plextronics to refine our research, optimize device efficiency, and accelerate the commercialization of Plexcore HIL and consequently printed electronic displays. I look forward to a long lasting relationship with Marks and Northwestern."
Tobin J. Marks is Vladimir N. Ipatieff Professor of Catalytic Chemistry and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University and is well-recognized for his extensive research and leadership in the field of chemistry. He has published an impressive 790 research articles and holds 80 U.S. patents. In addition, Professor Marks has received many awards, including the Frankland Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2003 and the American Institute of Chemists Gold Medal in 2002.
http://www.plextronics.com/
Posted 26th July 2006
