USDC & PLEXTRONICS DEVELOP NEW HOLE INJECTION LAYER TECHNOLOGY FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOW COST OLED DISPLAYS

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 24, 2008 —The U.S. Display Consortium (USDC), a public/private partnership chartered with developing the flexible electronics and displays industry supply chain, today announced that a recent project with Plextronics, Inc., has aided in the development of a new hole injection layer (HIL) technology to enable broad commercialization of high-performance, low-cost, organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays. Plextronics is an international technology company that specializes in printed solar, lighting and other organic electronics.

Plextronics completed a $590,000 project with USDC to produce a new HIL technology that is expected to improve device performance by reducing surface roughness; improving charge injection; and allowing fine-tuning of work function. The materials that Plextronics developed utilize a new approach to conductive polymer chemistry that enables significant performance improvement. These HIL products will be cost competitive and a suitable replacement for currently used PEDOT: PSS materials.

According to Shawn Williams, Plextronics' vice president of technology, “Our company has added significant in-house capabilities to allow scale-up for our new Plexcore ® OC as a result of our collaboration with USDC. Also, we have successfully implemented Plexcore ® OC in partner devices and the material has been tested in newer device architectures.” Plextronic’s device design, process technology and Plexcore® branded inks enable the formation of active electrical layers, which are the key drivers of printed electronics.

“Entrepreneurial companies like Plextronics are creating new technologies capable of commercial-scale performance and manufacturability,” commented Michael Ciesinski, USDC’s CEO. “Plextronics’ development marks a significant technology milestone for the rapidly evolving flexible and printed electronics industry.” USDC leverages the results of its programs by including member companies in the testing and validation of new developments.

“Plextronics has achieved very impressive results from the competitive contract with USDC,” U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) said.  “Plextronics is a great example of how the high - tech companies taking root across our region are helping to make western Pennsylvania a center for technological innovation.”

The USDC program is a collaborative effort of private industry and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located in Adelphi, MD.

Contacts:
Kay Masoli
US Display Consortium
(408) 993-8111
kmascoli@usdc.org

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

Lori Lecker
Plextronics
412-562-3929
lori.lecker@bipc.com

About the U.S. Display Consortium
USDC is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display and flexible electronics manufacturers and developers, integrators, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to identify and manage R&D projects and share results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities; sponsors forums to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of emerging technology. More information about the USDC can be found at www.usdc.org and and www.fpoelectronics.org.

About Plextronics
Plextronics, Inc. is an international technology company that specializes in printed solar, lighting and other organic electronics. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA., the company's focus is on organic solar cell and organic light emitting diodes (OLED), specifically the conductive inks and process technologies that enable those and other similar applications. With a company vision of enabling 15 billion printed electronic devices by 2015, Plextronics is creating technology capable of commercial-scale manufacturability and performance. The company's device design, process technology and Plexcore® branded inks enable the formation of active electrical layers — the key drivers of printed electronics. The privately-held company was founded in 2002 as a spinout from Carnegie Mellon University, based upon conductive polymer technology developed by Dr. Richard McCullough. Over the past six years, Plextronics' scientists have refined and further developed this technology to deliver exceptional performance for printed electronics.