USDC ADDS ALL NEW ACADEMIC RESEARCH TRACK TO 2008 FLEXIBLE ELECTRONICS AND DISPLAYS CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

15 Speakers Chosen from Premier Institutions Worldwide to Present Papers on Academic & Fundamental Research

SAN JOSE, Calif., December 4, 2007—The U.S. Display Consortium (USDC), a public/private partnership chartered with developing the flexible electronics and displays industry supply chain, today announced the full agenda for their first-ever Academic and Fundamental Research Track at the 7 th annual Flexible Electronics & Displays Conference and Exhibition. This latest addition to the conference agenda reflects a growing need for the exchange of information between industry and academia, especially in new emerging areas of technology, such as flexible electronics. An increasing number of academic institutions are turning to the Flex Conference as a forum for not only obtaining, but also sharing the latest information in technology and innovations. The conference will be held on January 21 – 24, 2008 at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix, Ariz.

“The expansion of USDC’s Flex Conference with an academic and fundamental research track will add a new critical level of value to attendees,” noted co-chair Gregory Raupp, director of Arizona State University’s Flexible Display Center. “It’s an excellent opportunity for direct interchange between R&D institutions surrounding the leading edge of new technology development and the immediate challenges and hurdles the industry is facing. All of this is critical for collectively identifying real-world solutions to important problems.  In that context, the conference provides an opportune environment for discussions on potential partnerships within the industry.”

IEEE, the world’s leading professional association for the advancement of technology, will publish all academic, fully peer-reviewed papers for the conference, adding another benefit for authors to present their latest research. The Academic and Fundamental Research Track agenda is now posted on USDC’s web site (www.usdc.org), and includes participating institutions: Arizona State University, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, National Chung Hsing University, North Dakota State University, Northwestern University, Princeton University, State University of New York at Binghamton, STMicroelectronics, University of Surrey, Advanced Technology Institute, University of Texas at Dallas and Korea University.

A Student Research Poster Session will complement the new academic track with a large roster of students and universities represented. Case in point, James Sturm, professor and director, Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials, notes, “The USDC Flex Conference provides Princeton University students with a valuable learning experience, both in fundamental research and in critical industrial problems, as well as a networking opportunity with potential employers. It’s also a valuable training ground for the next generation of engineers. Princeton is sending as many students as possible to the event and will have a strong representation in the poster session.” USDC adds that for the first time, it is presenting awards to those students whose poster and work reflects outstanding achievement, originality, relevance and quality.

USDC’s Flex Conference continues to bring attendees the most up-to-date technology innovations, research and market data, and the 2008 conference will be its best yet, with 18 sessions, and more than 70 presentations from the world’s leading experts. All new categories of discussion include new markets and applications, future flexible electronics and display products, advanced materials, devices, manufacturing technologies, and a special session on flexible sensor technology. The conference is generously supported by sponsors and exhibitors including AGI, Applied Materials, DuPont Teijin, E Ink, Emerson & Cumings, FUJIFILM Dimatix, GE, Hamilton Precision Metals, Honeywell, Northfield Automation, Sartomer, Soligie, Sonoplot and Universal Display Corporation. For conference sponsorship and exhibit information, contact Heidi Hoffman (heidi@usdc.org), or call USDC at 408.993.8111.

Contacts:

Kay Mascoli
US Display Consortium
(408) 993-8111
kmascoli@usdc.org

Marie Labrie
MCA
(650) 968-8900
mlabrie@mcapr.com

About the U.S. Display Consortium
The USDC is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flexible electronics and display manufacturers, developers, integrators and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with member companies. The USDC provides a communication channel among industry, government and financial communities for flexible electronics and display industry issues; sponsors conferences and workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of flexible electronics and displays in providing access to information technology. More information can be found at www.usdc.org