The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) inaugurated the AMOLED Research Centre (ARC) on Monday, a National Centre of Excellence dedicated to developing the next generation of AMOLED displays for devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and wearables. The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Tata Sons.

The Centre aims to revolutionize the manufacturing of AMOLED displays through a novel technique based on the "economies-of-speed" concept. This approach is envisioned to support the modular micro-factory model for producing AMOLED displays, significantly improving efficiency and scalability. S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, emphasized that ARC is also working on prototypes for OLED lighting and OPV (Organic Photovoltaic) power sources for mobile phones, aiming to cater to both Indian and global markets.

V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the Centre's alignment with India’s broader strategy to establish a domestic semiconductor industry. The global AMOLED display market, currently valued at approximately $15 billion, is expected to witness substantial growth in the coming years. The research at ARC will play a crucial role in capturing a share of this burgeoning market.

ARC researchers are focused on developing an innovative patterning technique for AMOLED displays that promises to reduce capital expenditure in manufacturing. The Centre is also working on technologies to enable modular display factories or micro-factories, which could make production more accessible and cost-effective. While ARC’s primary focus is currently on small-sized displays for smartphones, tablets, and watches, its advancements are expected to have far-reaching implications for display technologies across various applications.