GE Global Research, TOKKI Corp. Announce Joint Project to Develop PECVD Film Encapsulation Technology & Equipment for OLED Displays.

Agreement could serve as the foundation for the future manufacturing and sale of thinner, lower cost OLED flat panel displays

NISKAYUNA, N.Y. -- GE Global Research, the centralized research organization for the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) and TOKKI Corporation, a leading supplier of OLED manufacturing equipment, announced a joint agreement to develop PECVD Film Encapsulation technology and equipment for manufacturing organic electronics such as organic light emitting diode (OLED) flat panel displays. The goal is to develop and demonstrate equipment that could serve as the foundation for the future manufacturing and sale of glass-based displays that are thinner in design and much lower in cost.

As part of the agreement, GE Global Research will license its patented PECVD film encapsulation process to TOKKI for use in the company's state-of-art OLED manufacturing equipment. OLED devices require a high degree of hermetic sealing or "encapsulation," since moisture and oxygen can impede the devices' functionality. The encapsulation technology is seen as a critical component for enabling future OLED devices and process technology that are much thinner in design, while still protected from environmental degradation.

"Through our joint partnership, we have a great opportunity to develop new, state-of-the art manufacturing equipment that can produce thinner, more affordable OLED displays on glass substrates," said Anil Duggal, Advanced Technology Program Leader for Organic Electronics, GE Global Research. "A key to this effort will be successfully incorporating the unique encapsulation technology developed at Global Research into the manufacturing process."

"We are excited by the opportunity to work with GE through this JDA and believe that this collaboration will have a big impact not only to Tokki's business but also on the OLED industry as a whole," said Kenichi Tsugami, President of Tokki Corporation. "Our success on this project could greatly expand market opportunities for OLED flat panel displays and create new markets in organic electronics."

A primary focus of the project will be to successfully develop and demonstrate pilot line manufacturing equipment that successfully incorporates Global Research's film encapsulation technology. The ultimate goal is to build manufacturing equipment for OLED displays that can be sold commercially.

About GE Global Research

GE Global Research was the first industrial research lab in the United States and is one of the world's most diversified research centers, providing innovative technology for all of GE's businesses. Global Research has been the cornerstone of GE technology for more than 100 years, developing breakthrough innovations in areas such as medical imaging, energy generation, jet engines, advanced materials and lighting. GE Global Research is headquartered in Niskayuna, New York and has facilities in Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; and Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research at www.ge.com/research.

About Tokki Corporation

TOKKI Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading distributor of machinery and other value-added specialty machines. The company manufactures and sells factory automation systems, notably flexible manufacturing systems and robot cells. It develops, manufactures and sells vacuum technology-related equipment such as organic electroluminescent (EL) manufacturing equipment, sputtering, heat deposition, and plasma chemical vapor deposition products. TOKKI also sells numerical control manufacturing machinery, including numerical control lathes and machining centers. Visit TOKKI Corporation at http://www.tokki.co.jp/eng/index.html.