I’m delighted to share that Applied Materials is being recognized by the renowned engineering authority IEEE with the 2013 Corporate Innovation Award for the company’s leadership in innovative plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technology for flat panel display manufacturing.

Originally published in the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Blog.

Why is a smartphone like a hummingbird? Neither can go more than a few hours without refueling, or bad things happen. (If you answered that smartphone owners are often forced to flutter around looking for a power outlet, I’ll accept that, too.)

In recent years we have seen flat screen TVs growing bigger and bigger and their capabilities continuously improved. Full high definition (HD) screen resolutions of (1920x1080 pixels) are now standard with many panel makers showcasing or announcing larger ultra-definition resolution screens. At the same time refresh rates are increasing, providing a better appearance of moving images and 3D TV.

There has been a huge amount of interest and discussion around new LCD backplane technologies, particularly about metal oxide.

The display industry is in the middle of one of the most significant technical transitions of the last 20 years and it is also mostly invisible to the average consumer. It has all to do with the advances taking place in transistors – the electronic switches that control the display’s picture, providing clarity and crisp imagery.

If you've ever wondered where TV screens are born, then look no further - the answer is Applied Materials! The January issue of Wired UK magazine showcases Applied’s display technology and how it makes a flat panel LCD display.  The issue is also available in Wired UK’s iPad edition, which can be found on

Just this year, we have seen a virtual explosion of touch panel growth fueled by the world’s seemingly insatiable appetite for touch-enabled devices. It is hard to say whether this growth will be tempered or continue amidst the promise of even greater adoption of mobility devices and invention of new “must have” products. In either case, touch technology is now a permanent member of the flat panel display family.

Dow Jones recently reported on the future of tablet and smartphone displays. As the leading equipment supplier to the display industry, Applied Materials was called on to lend comment to the trends and technologies that will be driving the industry in the coming years.

Read more