Vikuiti™ Display Enhancement Newsletter – July 2008

3M Optical Systems headquarters now in Hong Kong

As part of the company’s overall strategy to accelerate growth by moving closer to customers, 3M’s Optical Systems Division headquarters recently moved to Hong Kong. Jim Bauman, the division’s new vice president and general manager, will manage the business from Hong Kong, and business operations will continue to be deployed globally.

"The move will improve 3M’s ability to respond to LCD panel customers more quickly in this fast-paced market and helps ensure long-term sustainable success.” said Mike Kelly, executive vice president, 3M Display and Graphics. “As the pioneer of microreplicated and multilayer brightness enhancement films, 3M is committed to the optical film business over the long term."

New Vikuiti™ optical film introduced

3M recently introduced a new high gain film, Vikuiti Brightness Enhancement Film-G2 (BEF-G2) for notebook PCs. The new prism film delivers higher gain than any other prism film on the market, and increases brightness up to 10 percent over 3M’s current prism film.

In a notebook computer every watt counts, so by increasing brightness and lowering power needs in notebook computers, Vikuiti BEF-G2 enables them to operate longer on battery power. Vikuiti BEF-G2 is the latest innovative optical film developed by scientists in 3M’s Optical Systems Division, who created the world’s first enhancement film for LCDs in 1993.

New Energy Star® TV standards

The Energy Star program has established new efficiency standards for TVs based on active mode power use. Beginning November 1, 2008, all TVs – including CRT, rear projection, plasma and LCD – that meet the new standardized test can use the Energy Star label. The previous Energy Star test measured power consumption of TVs in standby mode.

To meet the new standard a 32-inch HDTV must use less than 121 watts, a 42-inch HDTV must use less than 208 watts, and a 50-inch HDTV must use less than 318 watts. This is the first of several developing standards that will be used in different countries. For more information on the new Energy Star standards go to www.energystar.gov.

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Watch as your screen is transformed into a colorful tropical aquarium. Experience the sensation of soaring through the clouds. See nature unleash its power in the form of an alpine blizzard and a summer thunderstorm. Be amazed as bright oranges rain down from your screen and pile up deliciously. Or look up through the snow-covered pines and watch as the clouds break to reveal a beautiful starry night.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this information, simply contact us.