Advancing optical films

Researchers look to technology gains made in LCD displays for TVs and other devices to improve the functionality of displays inside vehicles.

Demand for optimum brightness, better visibility, and lower power consumption for illuminating automotive instrument panels and displays has been steadily increasing. Printed clear or matte plastic films have been used to provide necessary local diffusion of light to hide the lamps and structural details behind the display while transmitting light where illumination is needed. However, such films may be limited in meeting the necessary functionality without additional lighting and surface treatments to reach adequate brightness and contrast levels.

Recent developments of advanced display films for the LCD TV and monitor markets enabled the extension of certain light-management capabilities of those films to automotive displays and IPs. Researchers from SABIC Innovative Plastics and GE's China Technology Center addressed the introduction of polycarbonate (PC) films comprising engineered surface features for improved contrast and brightness. Optical functionality is accomplished through the creation of optical elements such as micro-lens arrays, lenticular, or prismatic matrices on the surface of the film. Such films are particularly attractive for applications using LEDs for illumination.