LG introduces display that stretches in all directions

LG Display's stretchable display [LG DISPLAY]

LG Display introduced a prototype of a full-color, high-resolution stretchable light-emitting diode (LED) display, Tuesday.

It is the first of its kind in the world, according to the company.

A stretchable display, which can be stretched and folded in all directions, is considered more advanced than the bendable, rollable and foldable products already on the market, which can only be folded in one direction.

The stretchable display, measuring 12 inches in size, has an elongation rate of 20 percent, and can be stretched to up to 14 inches. Elongation rate refers to how much an object can stretch from its original length without distorting screen quality.

The display substrate was made of flexible silicon, which is used in contact lenses. The stretchable display is equipped with 40-micrometer micro LEDs, with a pixel density of 100 pixels per inch, which is equivalent to regular monitors.

The stretchable display was developed as part of a state-run project led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. LG Display was chosen in 2020 to lead the project in collaboration with other 20 local organizations. The stretchable display was to be developed by 2024

It is expected to be used in a wide variety of ways such as wearable devices, car displays, clothes and furniture.

Rival Samsung Display introduced a prototype organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display that stretches back in 2017 and published research on its stretchable display technology in the Science Advances journal in 2021.

Following the announcement, LG Display's share price closed at 14,450 won ($10.4) on the Kospi Tuesday, up 7.84 percent from the previous day.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]