This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is a study to expand the high speed addressing work conducted under Phase I using monochrome Plasma-spheres to color Plasma-spheres. Plasma-spheres are hollow transparent shells that encapsulate a selected pressurized gas. When a voltage is applied across the shell, the gas ionizes and glows. Plasma-spheres are applied to flexible, electrically addressable arrays to form Plasma-sphere arrays for use as large area plasma displays. Plasma-sphere arrays, like standard plasma displays require secondary electron emitting materials to increases addressing speeds. Under Phase II, the team will continue to investigate both thin film and thick film techniques for applying these materials to color Plasma-spheres. The proposed research presents a novel approach to produce video speed large area plasma displays. The Plasma-sphere array differs from other display technologies in that it allows for low-cost displays that are flexible, ultra-large, with full-color and full motion video.
The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is a breakthrough display technology. It moves away from the traditional semiconductor fabrication processes as practiced by many display manufacturers in Asia and replaces them with low cost plastic, glass, and printing processes practiced and well understood by US based companies. The successful development of a high speed addressing will help move this product toward commercialization in the large and growing market of dynamic signage. Commercialization of this technology will lead to job creation and commercial opportunities in the United States. Furthermore, Plasma-sphere arrays are an order of magnitude lower in production cost when compared with ultra large LED displays. Lower material and manufacturing costs provide a social benefit in that fewer natural resources are required with a less taxing effect on the environment. The Plasmasphere array can be made large like an LED display, while retaining many of the exceptional features of a conventional, rigid plasma display including good viewing angle, high brightness, excellent contrast, and full motion video.
Under this Small Business Technology Transfer Program Imaging Systems Technology worked with Georgia Institute of Technology to improve the addressing speed of Imaging Systems Technology’s Plasma-sphere arrays. Plasma-spheres are hollow dielectric shells filled with a gas. When a voltage is applied across the exterior of the shell, the gas inside ionizes into plasma. The ionized gas produces light. The plasma sphere arrays are being developed as large area displays. Currently Imaging Systems Technology is delivering and developing large area Plasma-sphere displays for military customers. The Plasma-sphere arrays are extremely low cost to fabricate and will compete favorably with light emitting diode technology in the commercial market. The Plasma-spheres have also had a broad impact in other areas besides displays. Plasma, the fourth state of mater, has the ability to emit absorb, or reflect energy. Plasma-shells have the ability int interact with photonic, RF, and nuclear energy. The unique features of the encapsulated plasma gas are being harnessed for novel light emitting devices such as infrared and ultra violet emitters. Infrared emitters have several military applications. Ultraviolet emitters have application in photo-curing, medical applications, and germicidal applications. The Plasma-spheres are also being applied to novel sensing and switching applications such as RF detectors and frequency selective surfaces.
