Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. will begin test production of next-generation displays for TVs next year with plans for commercial output as early as 2011. Competition is heating up among the world's electronics makers, including Japanese rival Sony Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. of South Korea, in OLED, or organic light-emitting diode, displays.

It's reported that one of the greatest obstacles to increased adoption of OLED lighting is that current technology. The usual OLED lighting emits only 20 percent of the light generated, and the rest remains trapped inside the device, wasted.

According to the expert's analysis, OLED lighting is more than twice as efficient as regular incandescent light bulbs by using a new process that involves tiny micro lenses, cranking out 70 lumens of light per watt of power, compared with the 30 lumens per watt of GE's latest OLEDs. While these fantastic new lighting sources won't light up every house for a few more years, they'll be a whole lot better than current compact florescent bulbs.

Recently Universal Display Corporation through its UniversalPHOLED™ technology, announced a $1,918,878, two-year U.S. Department of Energy contract to accelerate development of white OLED lighting products. Universal Display plans to use Armstrong World Industries as a key subcontractor to fulfill the requirements of the grant. Funded through the U.S.

It's reported Toshiba Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. said that they will mass produce next-generation organic displays, spending roughly $140 million to cash in on the growing market for the ultra-thin screens On July 22.

Energy efficiency and flexible lighting applications of OLEDs hasn't lived up to its promise, however, because in typical OLEDs, only 20 percent of the light generated is released from the device. That means that most light is trapped inside the bulb, making it highly inefficient. It's reported the scientists are on to a way to break the OLED-efficiency logjam. TThey have designed an OLED that boosts illumination by 60 percent using a combination of an organic grid working in tandem with small micro lenses that guide the trapped light out of the device.

It's reported TOKYO (AP) -- Toshiba Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. will start making next-generation displays at their joint plant by the second half of 2009.

Microsoft has set up a "Home of the Future" exhibition to share their vision of a high-tech home 10 years from now. It involves a mix of software technology, hidden projectors and organic LEDs (light-emitting diodes) that could display information or images on walls and other surfaces; personal devices like smart phones that can control the lights, home security, the television and other devices; and interactive devices and appliances that respond to voice and gestures.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a way to get 50% more light out of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), bringing them one step closer to more widespread adoption as a general lighting source, while increasing their value in displays.