Integration of QTC force sensing technology and flexible organic LCD display
Based on flexibility, it can be deformed to fit various shaped surfaces.

Feratech announced an active-matrix (AM) 3D force touch sensor integrated with a flexible organic LCD (OLCD). It is also expanding its HMI know-how by demonstrating how new applications can be realized through the combination of these two disruptive technologies.

This solution can be utilized in the development of flexible displays by integrating multi-point force touch sensing technology of various sizes, ranging from wearable devices to large displays. Its flexible properties allow it to be bent into a rounded shape and deformed to fit the shape of end applications with various surface forms, such as wristbands and dashboards.

“This announcement will be recorded as a very significant technological achievement for Feratech,” said Jon Stark, CEO of Feratech. “This is the first time in the industry that flexible AM 3D touch sensor technology with integrated display has been announced, and thanks to our collaboration with Merck and FlexEnable, we are able to introduce a new solution that can further expand the horizons of HMI technology.”



The key feature of this solution is that it opens the way for various force touch applications to make a comeback by eliminating touch detection errors through Feratech QTC technology. These touch detection errors are mostly related to capacitive touch sensing and have acted as a factor preventing the adoption of touch technology in safety-critical applications such as medical, industrial, and automotive sectors.

This integrated solution is built upon the expertise of FlexEnable in OTFT manufacturing, utilizing Merck lisicon® low-temperature organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) material technology and Merck licristal® liquid crystal materials. A key feature is that all circuits driving the organic LCD are integrated with 3D touch sensing elements, enabling the display and force touch to be integrated into a single component during the design and system integration (SI) process. This application is scheduled to be showcased at LOPEC 2018 in Munich, Germany, where visitors can view and experience the new technology at the Merck booth.

A high-resolution force-sensing display can be implemented, and the force sensor used here utilizes 100 x 64 AM sensing elements for 3D touch sensors to provide a spatial resolution of 25 ppi. These elements or senseels detect not only the location of the touch point but also the amount of force applied to each senseel located on the contact surface. Through this, a theoretical interpolated resolution of over 10,000 ppi can be realized even when using standard ICs commonly used in consumer, automotive, and industrial electronic systems.