E-Ink and Sharp collaborate on oxide backsheets for next-generation e-paper

E Ink technology suppliers Yuantai Holdings and Sharp Display Technology Corporation (SDTC) announced a partnership to use SDTC's indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO*2) backplane for e-paper modules for e-readers and e-notebook products. E Ink has been developing electrophoresis technology using oxide thin film transistors (TFTs) for more than 10 years and will expand its e-paper product line based on the use of oxide TFTs. Sharp was the first company to mass-produce oxide TFTs for displays in 2012.

Oxide TFTs have transistors with high mobility (a measure of how easily electrons move through a particular material) and low leakage current, with the result that smaller transistors can be used to deliver the same current. In displays, this means faster switching and lower power consumption, contributing to a sustainable environment.

E Ink and SDTC have been working together for two years to bring oxide TFTs to the market for e-paper displays.

Johnson Lee, CEO of E Ink, said: "This collaboration with SDTC further demonstrates E Ink's commitment to improving the performance of e-paper displays. SDTC's vision is to develop an oxide TFT technology that can serve different types of displays and circuits. , SDTC is committed to continue investing in the development of oxide TFTs. E Ink looks forward to working with SDTC."

"SDTC is delighted that E Ink has selected SDTC as its oxide TFT partner to bring next-generation e-paper displays to the market," said SDTC President Chien-Erh Wang. "SDTC is the market leader and pioneer in oxide TFT research and development, and the first display company to mass-produce oxide TFTs. E Ink is the market leader in e-paper displays, and it is natural for these two companies to Combine."

Over the past five years, 130 million e-readers have been in use worldwide, displacing the purchase of paper books. It is estimated that paper books will emit more than 100,000 times more CO2, while e-readers will contribute significantly to CO2 reductions over the entire period. Migrating color content to e-readers will have a big impact on the environment.

Going forward, E Ink and SDTC will explore the use of IGZO for larger-scale signage applications in retail and transportation. In addition, Sharp Group will also consider cooperation models with E Ink in various electronic paper applications.

The next-generation e-paper based on this collaboration is planned to be exhibited at CEATEC 2022 at the Makuhari Messe (Mihama-ku, Chiba Prefecture, Japan) from October 18-21 (Tuesday-Friday) this year.

The backplane refers to the circuit board circuit used to control the display signals. IGZO is an oxide semiconductor composed of indium, gallium, zinc and oxygen. It is used as a material for thin film transistors that drive liquid crystal displays, and so on.