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 | Original technology creates the basis for Sharp's policy of returning to the roots of manufacturing and domestic manufacturing. |
| Sharp's original technology is liquid crystal. We have vigorously strengthened this cutting-edge innovation to make it one-of-a-kind and No. 1 in the industry. |
| We will expand production at our Mie No.2 LCD Plant this coming April, and start mass-producing large LCD panels for LCD televisions as well as ultra high-definition LCD, plastic LCD and reflective LCD panels in medium and compact sizes. |
| As the core technology for LCD business strategy from 2003 through 2005, we will devote ourselves to further developments of our unique innovation, "low-temperature continuous grain silicon LCD technology." |
| This innovative technology enables not merely ultra high-definition LCD production but also mounting peripheral circuits and elements onto a single LCD panel. This is the core process technique for creating next-generation high value-added system displays, which are difficult with amorphous silicon TFT or low-temperature polysilicon TFT (LPS). |
| Some day this technology will lead us to the realization of our dream of "System-on-Panel" LCDs that integrate all functions onto a single glass substrate, thereby creating a paper-thin computer.
 | @ | Amorphous LCD panel (left) and system LCD panel (right) | |
| System LCDs offer versatile applications for differentiating merchandise, reducing cost and saving energy, making it an ideal manufacturing platform. System LCD panels will boost the Made-in-Japan brands in an increasingly competitive electronics market. |
| In order to focus our business around system LCDs that integrate LCD and IC technologies by capitalizing on the continuous grain silicon process technique, we will establish a Continuous Grain Silicon LCD Development Group within fiscal 2000. In 2002 we will reorganize it into a business group, promoting further business development. |
| First, we will focus on the development of mainly compact and medium-sized system LCDs as indispensable parts of "digital mobile AVC terminals" in order to replace conventional LCDs with these system LCDs. We will grow this system LCD business into our core competence to overwhelm our competitors. |
| In 2005, we plan to increase the scale of our low-temperature continuous grain silicon LCD business to some 300 billion yen, an amount equivalent to our current total sales of TFT LCDs. |
| By mounting an electroluminescent (EL) layer onto the continuous grain silicon substrate, instead of an LCD layer, Sharp will be able to develop an ultra-high definition organic EL display. R&D activities are now under way. |
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