New screen technologies for Europe

The ESF Network in Field Emission Technologies aims not only at promoting fundamental research in this topic but also aims at the creation of a partnership between basic research and industry. Through the initiative of BigFED, this partnership is being realised and the recent workshop held in Cambridge on 14 April was a big step in this direction and will help strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.

Speaking after this meeting, the Network organiser, Dr Tim Harper of CMP Cientifica s. L., Surface and Materials Analysis Consultants in Madrid, said "There is a growing market for large displays, not just for office use, but also for the home consumer. Although advances in CRT technology have allowed some reduction in tube size, standard televisions are heavy, bulky, and consume large amounts of power. Far eastern companies dominate the flat panel display market, and a significant effort is required if European industry is to be involved in this market."

Large flat displays are gaining in importance, and this is evidenced by the slow but steady penetration of plasma displays (PDP’s) into the market. At present PDPs are restricted to business and promotional markets, chiefly due to their high cost. Much of this is caused by the large amount of silicon required to drive the display, and low yields of the display panels themselves. Although the Japanese manufacturers believe that the introduction of HDTV satellite broadcasts will stimulate demand, cost is still a major problem. The BigFED consortium believes that a solution can be found by the use of Field Emission Displays (FED’s).

FED’s have advantages over PDP’s in the key areas of cost and efficiency, and these two factors are interlinked. It is misguided to assume that the price of flat panel displays alone will be of interest to the average consumer, ‘greener’ technologies will increase in importance. Large area displays must be available at low cost, and consume significantly less power than competing technologies. FED’s fit these criteria.

There has been much effort in recent years to produce FED’s in the range of 13-20", primarily driven by the market for computer monitors. Indeed, companies such as PixTech, Candescent & Motorola claim to be close to starting volume production. We can consider FED technology almost mature in this respect. BigFED realises that there is no point in competing with existing display manufacturers. What is required is a bold visionary effort in order to make the technological breakthroughs required for true large size display, and in this respect we mean around one square meter & above.

Tim Harper added that "the BigFED consortium consists of both academics and commercial companies, in order to apply the best of European expertise to large scale FED technology. By making use of BigFEDs understanding not only of the technology, but also the manufacturing expertise gained in consumer goods, we believe that large area FEDs can be a reality within five years. The spin offs from this project should benefit the European display industry as a whole, and enhance its position in the world market."

Ends

Press contacts:

Mr. Tony Mayer 
Head of Secretary General’s Office, ESF
+33 (0)3 88 76 71 02

Notes for editors:

• BigFED is one of the first initiatives to come out of the European Science Foundation network, EuroFE – Applications of Field Emission Technologies. The network is coordinated by CMP Científica in Madrid, and aims to bring together a critical mass of academics & industry in order to overcome the residual problems preventing Field Emission from becoming a leading European technology. For more information go to websitewww.cmp-cientifica.com/eurofe
• The European Science Foundation Network Scheme, operating since 1985, aims to bring researchers together from across Europe through collaborative workshops, exchanges and which not only involve the members of the Network but also reach out to a wider research community. ESF runs approximately 30 Networks each year. There are two deadlines each year (31 May and 30 November).
  

Issued 23.05.2000

For further information contact  : Tony Mayer

Category: Media Centre, Press Releases 2000