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This content introduces how the Asahi Glass products are working close to you. You will be amazed to learn that many things around you have been created by Asahi Glass.
- TFT LCD Glass
- Fluon® ETFE FILM
- MEAs for Fuel Cells
TFT LCD glass for which strict quality requirements are placed
In these several years, flat panel TVs including LCD TVs and plasma display TVs have rapidly evolved and attracted attention in the market.
Especially, LCD TVs have been greatly developed because larger screens have become more common than ever. It is the TFT LCD glass from Asahi Glass that supports LCD TVs of a large screen size. LCD glass has become one of the core components of LCD TVs that are critical to reproduce clear and beautiful images. We now occupy the second position in the world market share of LCD glass.
For TFT LCD glass, many strict quality requirements are actually placed. First, unlike window pane glass, TFT LCD glass is not allowed to contain alkalis.
This is because alkali-ions contaminate LC materials and even unfavorably affect the characteristics of the TFT. Additionally, TFT LCD glass should not exhibit large sagging even though its thickness is just 0.5 to 0.7 mm and have excellent heat resistance assure that its dimensions are accurate even after being heated at high temperature.
"AN-100", alkali-free glass developed by us, is the one that has fulfilled those various requirements. Furthermore, "AN-100" does not contain hazardous materials such as arsenic or antimony. For that reason, it has had reputation for an environment-friendly glass. Our technologies are supporting thin, large and environmentally responsible design for LCD TVs.
Core technologies to enable a clear screen
Let's take a look at the structure of an LCD. An LCD has a structure in which a layer of liquid crystal is sandwiched between two sheets of glass. The most remarkable feature of liquid crystal is that it has optical characteristics of both liquid and a solid. Applying voltage to the layer of liquid crystal causes the orientation of the molecules in the liquid crystal to change relative to each other. This molecule rearrangement controles the light transmission from the backlight; the light passes through color filters of red, blue, and green, and eventually rich images appear on the screen. Among different LCDs, TFT LCDs are most widely used now. In a TFT LCD, a layer of thin film that form transistors is used as a device that applies voltage to the liquid crystal layer, and those transistors controls the voltage supplied to each pixel. The advantages of a TFT LCD are high resolution and quick response time, so you can enjoy clear and bright moving images.
LCDs play important roles
in a number of different aspects of daily life
Although LCDs may immediately remind you of TVs or PCs, the cellular phone is another popular application. Cellular phones can now be considered life necessities, and the LCD is the part most frequently seen each time the phone is used. Without the LCD, it is not possible to send mail or view pictures taken by the camera function. We are working on the operation of glass substrates, which are key component materials of LCDs, and helping you live a convenient and comfortable life by integrating our technologies within our Group. The application of LCDs is not limited to cellular phones. The application includes the LCD of digital music players that have become more popular, the LCD of home video cameras, and automotive components such as speed meters. Another application is the digital camera that is now endlessly downsizing, and more. Our technologies will be supporting a wide range of evolution.
LCD structure
The example of LCD
This content introduces how the Asahi Glass products are working close to you. You will be amazed to learn that many things around you have been created by Asahi Glass.
- TFT LCD Glass
- Fluon® ETFE FILM
- MEAs for Fuel Cells
