Due to advances in flexible, liquid crystal display technology born in Kent, Ohio, soon electronic devices such as cell phones, portable music players, or computer skins will be able to display and change their colors on demand.

Kent Displays Inc. (KDI), a Kent State University partner, has successfully implemented a roll-to-roll production line for flexible liquid crystals that is the only one of its kind in the world. This production line, to be inaugurated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 27, enables Kent displays to produce large quantities of flexible liquid crystal displays more quickly and efficiently than others in the industry.

This ability to imbed liquid crystals in flexible plastics is expected to give rise to a flood of new products and applications, and will lead to the creation of numerous jobs as the technology continues to advance.

Guest speakers at the event include local and state-level officials who will recognize KDI’s achievement and contributions to both technology and the local economy.


About KDI
Kent Displays was founded in 1993 by Dr. J. William Doane, director emeritus of Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute (LCI) and William Manning of Manning Ventures. Kent Displays is a leader in developing Reflex™ displays that have been successfully licensed to corporations worldwide. Engineers at Kent Displays create applications for portable devices that are thin, flexible, rugged, demand long battery life, have wide viewing angles and paper-like viewing in all ambient lighting conditions including bright sunlight. KDI offers a line of customizable electronic skins for mobile computing devices, and electronic writing tablets (eTablet™) for many markets.

The following organizations have contributed to KDI’s success:

• Third Frontier Project - In 2006, KDI was awarded a $7.9 million dollar grant from the State of Ohio’s Third Frontier Project. This project is the state's largest commitment to expanding Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promoting innovation and company formation that will create high-paying jobs for generations to come.
• Kent State University - KDI is a spin-off business from Kent State University and was created to further develop and commercialize the Reflex™ technology developed at Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute. Today, Kent State researchers from the LCI and KDI engineers work closely together to develop the technology of the future.
• Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition (NorTech) - leads the region’s technology-based economic development agenda. By supporting and nurturing Northeast Ohio's most promising technology projects and initiatives, the organization helps to create new technology industries and makes the region’s economy more globally competitive.
• FLEXMatters initiative – a Kent State initiative to build an industrial cluster for the manufacture of flexible displays and electronic devices. Northeast Ohio’s strong industrial base in plastics and printing, and leading research strengths in liquid crystals, polymers and engineering make it the logical home for this emerging industry.
• Manning Ventures – is a Rochester, New York-based venture capital fund. Privately held by William Manning, Manning Ventures invests in technology enterprises.  Established in 1993, Manning Ventures has active investments in several software-related businesses in Western New York as well as Kent Displays in Kent, Ohio.

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Media Contacts:
Kimberley Sirk, 330-672-8514, kgallek@kent.edu
Paulette Washko, 330-672-0731, Pwashko@kent.edu
Scott Rainone, 330-672-8595, srainone@kent.edu