EWING, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ: OLED), enabling energy-efficient displays and lighting with its UniversalPHOLED® technology and materials, has been awarded a $225,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I program from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Under the program, titled “Novel Energy-Saving Phosphorescent OLED Lighting Products,” Universal Display will partner with and subcontract IDD Aerospace/Zodiac Lighting Solutions to evaluate and demonstrate the potential for energy-efficient and cost-effective white OLED lighting panels for aircraft interiors.

“This U.S. Department of Energy award will allow us to further demonstrate the potential for high-efficiency, high-performance PHOLED lighting panels in an aircraft utility lighting application”

Universal Display and IDD Aerospace/Zodiac Lighting Solutions are collaborating to design and demonstrate an energy-saving shelf utility OLED lighting prototype for aircraft interiors. OLED lighting offers several significant advantages over fluorescent and incandescent lighting technologies traditionally used in aircrafts, including energy savings, reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and minimal space requirements. The elegant form factor of OLEDs is expected to translate into an extremely thin and lightweight utility light design.

“IDD has considerable experience in the development and production of utility lighting for aircraft,” said Beth de Young, General Manager at IDD Aerospace/Zodiac Lighting Solutions. “Through our partnership with Universal Display, we aim to contribute to a disruptive shift in the adoption of OLED lighting by providing a compelling early entry product. The data generated by developing this shelf utility light may be applied to larger-scale OLED lighting aircraft projects, including cabin applications for interior furniture, galley, interior structure enhancements, as well as other potential adoptions in cabin accent, task, ceiling and sidewall lighting, and sign backlighting.”

“This U.S. Department of Energy award will allow us to further demonstrate the potential for high-efficiency, high-performance PHOLED lighting panels in an aircraft utility lighting application,” said Steven V. Abramson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Display. “Working with aerospace equipment leader IDD Aerospace/Zodiac Lighting Solutions, we have an excellent opportunity to highlight the energy efficiency, thin form factor, and potential cost effectiveness of phosphorescent OLED lighting panels. During this program, we will help IDD develop a path to commercialization for this exciting aircraft application and continue to advance key building blocks for future energy-efficient commercial and consumer lighting applications.”

The DOE has made a long-term commitment to the development and introduction of energy-efficient, solid-state white lighting. UniversalPHOLED technology and materials have been essential to demonstrating white OLED lighting panels that meet the DOE’s solid-state lighting targets. Additionally, Universal Display is at the forefront of developing complementary OLED technologies, including light extraction, thin-film encapsulation, and flexible OLED technologies.

To see how Universal Display is changing the face of the display and lighting industries with its UniversalPHOLED^®, white OLED, and flexible OLED technologies, please visit the company’s website at www.udcoled.com.

About IDD Aerospace/Zodiac Lighting Solutions

IDD Aerospace/Zodiac Lighting Solutions, is part of Zodiac Aerospace, Aircraft Systems Group. The company headquarters is in Redmond, Washington, USA and is a leading provider of flight deck and interior lighting solutions to aerospace customers worldwide. Zodiac Aerospace is a world leader in aerospace equipment and systems to regional, commercial and business aircraft, helicopters and space. Zodiac Aerospace employs 28,000 employees worldwide and achieved a turnover of € 3.4 billion in 2011/2012 through its five divisions: Zodiac Cabin & Structures, Zodiac Seats, Zodiac Galleys & Equipment, Zodiac Aircraft Systems, Zodiac Aerosafety, supplemented by the dedicated after-sales business of Zodiac Services. More information about Zodiac Aerospace can be found at www.Zodiacaerospace.com.

About Universal Display Corporation

Universal Display Corporation (Nasdaq: OLED) is a leader in developing and delivering state-of-the-art, organic light emitting diode (OLED) technologies, materials and services to the display and lighting industries. Founded in 1994, the company currently owns or has exclusive, co-exclusive or sole license rights with respect to more than 3,000 issued and pending patents worldwide. Universal Display licenses its proprietary technologies, including its breakthrough high-efficiency UniversalPHOLED^® phosphorescent OLED technology, that can enable the development of low power and eco-friendly displays and white lighting. The company also develops and offers high-quality, state-of-the-art UniversalPHOLED materials that are recognized as key ingredients in the fabrication of OLEDs with peak performance. In addition, Universal Display delivers innovative and customized solutions to its clients and partners through technology transfer, collaborative technology development and on-site training.

Based in Ewing, New Jersey, with international offices in Ireland, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan, Universal Display works and partners with a network of world-class organizations, including Princeton University, the University of Southern California, the University of Michigan, and PPG Industries, Inc. The company has also established relationships with companies such as AU Optronics Corporation, DuPont Displays, Inc., Innolux Corporation, Konica Minolta Technology Center, Inc., LG Display Co., Ltd., Lumiotec, Inc., Moser Baer Technologies Inc., Panasonic Idemitsu OLED Lighting Co., Pioneer Corporation, Samsung Display Corporation, Seiko Epson Corporation, Sony Corporation, Showa Denko K.K., and Tohoku Pioneer Corporation. To learn more about Universal Display, please visit www.udcoled.com.

Universal Display Corporation and the Universal Display logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Universal Display Corporation. All other company, brand or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks.

All statements in this document that are not historical, such as those relating to Universal Display Corporation’s technologies and potential applications of those technologies, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements in this document, as they reflect Universal Display Corporation’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in greater detail in Universal Display Corporation’s periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, in particular, the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Universal Display Corporation’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Universal Display Corporation disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this document.

Contacts

For Universal Display:
Investor Relations:
Darice Liu, 609-671-0980 x558
dliu@udcoled.com
or
Media Contact:
Gregory FCA
Matt McLoughlin, 610-228-2123
matt@gregoryfca.com
or
For IDD Aerospace/Zodiac Lighting Solutions Contact:
Jen Zitterman, 425-897-4303
Jen.Zitterman@zodiacaerospace.com