Distinguished lecture charts the evolving 40-year legacy of OLED innovation

On 21 May 2026, the Department of Physics at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), in partnership with the Research Office, hosted a distinguished lecture titled “The Forty-Year Journey of OLEDs: From Laboratory Curiosity to Foldable Phone Displays”. Professor Franky So, the Walter and Ida Freeman Distinguished Professor from North Carolina State University, gave his deep insights into the evolution, challenges, and future of Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) technology.

Professor Franky So, the Walter and Ida Freeman Distinguished Professor from North Carolina State University, gives his deep insights into the evolution, challenges, and future of Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) technology

Professor So, a respected scholar originally from Hong Kong, described his work in organic electronics since 1991. Talking about the early days of his career, he said that organic materials were initially dismissed by many researchers, who favoured inorganic semiconductors due to stability concerns. However, through decades of persistent research and interdisciplinary innovation, OLED has been transformed into an energy-efficient, supporting pillar of modern visual technology, powering the ultra-thin and flexible foldable displays used by millions worldwide. 

Professor Liu Jiming, Associate Provost of HKBU, presents a gift to Professor Franky So at the lecture

Professor So highlighted critical milestones that cleared early developmental hurdles. A major breakthrough occurred in 1998 with the development of phosphorescent emitters by research groups at Princeton and Southern California, which successfully harnessed triplet excitons to achieve near-perfect internal quantum efficiency. He also described his own pioneering contributions to overcoming device degradation, including the implementation of mixed-host structures to suppress hole accumulation and eliminate dark spots, which extended operating lifetimes significantly. 

Attendees focus closely on Professor So’s presentation

Beyond conventional displays, Professor So talked about his recent work on infrared sensors. By integrating lead-sulphide quantum dots with OLED architectures, his research team has developed flexible, pixelless, infrared-to-visible up-conversion imaging devices. This solution-processed technology offers vast potential for affordable, high-resolution applications spanning biomedical blood-vessel imaging and advanced computer vision. 

Students take the opportunity to ask searching questions about the development of OLED technology

The lecture ended with an interesting discussion on the commercial trajectory of display technologies, and as well as acknowledging OLED's superior image contrast, Professor So evaluated current market trends, and noted how intensive industrial research from major manufacturers has enabled quantum dot technologies and advanced in-plane switching LCDs to dominate large-screen formats. 

The event highlighted HKBU’s vibrant research atmosphere and its commitment to fostering transdisciplinary collaboration across global networks. Impelled by its institutional strategy, the university continues to serve as an intellectual hub, connecting scientific exploration with impactful real-world translation.