A new generation of flexible displays (Printed Electronics Europe 2005)

Pelikon has successfully commercialised thick film printed EL displays and already has millions of products in homes across the US and Europe. These segmented EL displays developed by Pelikon have enabled a range of applications with an attractive and intuitive user interface system which incorporates the input buttons with context driven display.

 

In order to reduce cost, or enable full text displays, a system for multiplexed driving of a row / column matrix is required. As a matrix EL display is capacitive and all rows and columns are coupled to each other, a four level drive system is required. Implementing this system at the high voltage required for printed EL displays is expensive in terms of power supply and control electronics. Pelikon have developed an innovative charge sharing system which uses high frequency power supply sampling to provide drive of all levels from a single HV power supply. This dramatically cuts the information - cost of a graphics display.

Chris Barnardo worked as a designer and art director from 1981 to 1992. His experience included design, product/brand positioning, corporate identity, new product development and marketing.

 

In 1995 he gained a 1st class Engineering degree, before starting work as a consultant at Cambridge Consultants Ltd., developing the interface between design & engineering. He represented the Company to potential new clients in the UK and Europe, planning and managing engineering projects from initial concept through to pilot production, working with clients at the highest level.

 

In 2001 Chris was part of the electroluminescent team spun out of Cambridge Consultants using £4 million VC money. The new company was called Pelikon.

 

Chris is responsible for Pelikon's new business strategy of the Company looking at new markets and applications for SEL displays and spearheading the creation of innovative products.

Pelikon manufactures the world's first flexible plastic display. Based in the UK, Pelikon's displays can be cut to any shape are ten times thinner than an LCD and can be sited in places and on products not previously possible. Pelikon's Segmented Electroluminescent (SEL) displays and InterfaceDisplays™, are changing the way product designers think of the user interface on home appliances. Founded in 2000, Pelikon has manufactured and shipped over a million displays. Pelikon is a full service supplier with its own proprietary driver platforms, low cost ASICs and fully integrated software solutions. For further information please see www.pelikon.com .