Applied Materials

TechnologyTechnologyTechnology Hardware & Equipment
    
      Touch ScreensTouch Panels

    


TAINAN CITY, Taiwan, July 20, 2011 - EFUN Technology Co., Ltd., a manufacturer
of critical components for touch screens, LCD monitors and backlight modules in
Taiwan, announced today that it has begun production of flexible substrates
coated with indium tin oxide (ITO) films for advanced touch panel screens. The
ITO films were deposited using a SmartWeb(®) system from Applied Materials, Inc.
Applied's SmartWeb system is a roll-to-roll vacuum coater that uses physical
vapor deposition technology to deposit the critical ITO-based multi-layer film
stack required for fabricating the most advanced touch panels used in tablet PCs
and other mobile devices.

This is the second SmartWeb system EFUN has purchased from Applied Materials for
manufacturing its ITO touch panel components. The first system has been in
production at EFUN since 2009 and has provided superior manufacturing
performance.

"Based on the performance of our first Applied SmartWeb system, we purchased an
upgraded SmartWeb system for manufacturing ITO substrates for our customers'
most advanced, capacitive touch screen panels," said Dr. Kuang-Rong Lee, vice
general manager, Optoelectronics Business Unit Leader, at EFUN Technology. "The
latest generation of tablet PCs features 7-inch and larger projective capacitive
touch screens - sizes that demand the highest quality and performance from the
ITO substrate. Applied Materials was able to meet our technical specifications
and aggressive timeline, providing the technology to meet our customers'
requirements for high-end touch panels at a price that enables them to
successfully compete in a demanding consumer market."

The emergence of tablet PCs and other mobile devices has driven the growth of
touch panel technology, particularly for the more advanced capacitive panels
with multi-touch capability. Market researcher DisplaySearch expects the touch
panel market to double from 2010 to 2015, reaching $12.4 billion.

"Until recently, capacitive touch panels were seen only in high-end products,"
said Dr. Liang Chen, vice president and general manager of Advanced Energy
Products at Applied Materials. "Today, the technology has become viable for
integration into mainstream consumer electronics, not only as a means to improve
aesthetic design or glass display robustness, but also to help decrease costs."

The Applied SmartWeb system's unique versatility and high productivity have
revolutionized the production of flexible touch panel elements. The system's
modular design allows up to 12 different thin film layers to be deposited
simultaneously on flexible material - enabling complex touch panel structures to
be created in a single pass. To minimize particle generation, the SmartWeb
system features sputter-up geometry and easily-replaceable shielding. Customers
also have a choice of cathodes optimized for conductive and insulating layers
that assure high productivity and stable processing.

For more information on Applied's solutions for touch panel applications, visit
www.appliedmaterials.com/emerging-display.

About EFUN:
EFUN Technology Co., Ltd., located on Tainan Technology Industrial Park in
Taiwan, produces the key material of touch screens - ITO film with optical
sputtering design technology. EFUN jointly develops products with global main
PET suppliers and holds numerous international patents. Products include many
types of ITO films for resistance and projected capacitive touch screens. EFUN's
website is atwww.efun.com.tw.

About Applied Materials:
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in providing
innovative equipment, services and software to enable the manufacture of
advanced semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic products. Our
technologies help make innovations like smartphones, flat screen TVs and solar
panels more affordable and accessible to consumers and businesses around the
world. At Applied Materials, we turn today's innovations into the industries of
tomorrow. Learn more atwww.appliedmaterials.com.

# # #

Contact:
Connie Duncan (editorial/media) 408.563.6209
Michael Sullivan (financial community) 408.986.7977




The Applied SmartWeb roll-to-roll vacuum coating system: 
http://hugin.info/143724/R/1532158/466520.jpg




This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of 
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: 
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and 
    other applicable laws; and 
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and 
     originality of the information contained therein. 
    
Source: Applied Materials via Thomson Reuters ONE

[HUG#1532158]