Display Technologies in Japan
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NASA-CR-198566 Japanese Technology Evaluation Center JTEC JTEC Panel Report on Display Technologies In Japan Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr., Co-chair William E. Glenn, Co-chair Thomas Credelle J. William Doane Arthur H. Firester Malcolm Thompson June 1992 (NASA-CR-198564) JTEC PANEL ON N95-27863 DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES IN JAPAN Final Report (Loyola Coil.) 295 p Unclas G3/35 0049776 Coordinated by Loyola College in Maryland 4501 North Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21210-2699 LOYOLA ('()_E ,IN MARYLAND JAP_ TECHNOI_)OY IFv'ALUATION CENTER SPONSOR The Japanese Technology Evaluation Center (JTEC) is operated for the Federal Government to provide assessments of Japanese research and development (R&D) in selected technologies. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the lead support agency. Paul Herer, Senior Advisor for Planning and Technology Evaluation, is NSF Program Director for the project. Other sponsors of JTEC include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Commerce (DOC), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the U.S. Air Force. JTEC assessments contribute to more balanced technology transfer between Japan and the United States. The Japanese excel at acquisition and perfection of foreign technologies, whereas the U.S. has relatively little experience with this process. As the Japanese become leaders in research in targeted technologies, it is essential that the United States have access to the results. JTEC provides the important first step in this process by alerting U.S. researchers to Japanese accomplishments. JTEC findings can also be helpful in formulating governmental research and trade policies. The assessments are performed by panels of about six U.S. technical experts. Panel members are leading authorities in the field, technically active, and knowledgeable about both Japanese and U.S. research programs. Each panelist spends about one month of effort reviewing literature and writing his/her chapter of the report on a part-t/me basis over a twelve-month period. All recent panels have conducted extensive tours of Japanese laboratories. To provide a balanced perspective, panelists are selected from industry, academia, and government. ,ASSESSMENTS The focus of the assessments is on the status and long-term direction of Japanese R&D efforts relative to those of the United States. Other important aspects include the evolution of the technology and the identification of key researchers, R&D organizations, and funding sources. I_EPORq"S The panel findings are presented to workshops where invited participants critique the preliminary results. Final reports are distributed by the National Technioal Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161 (703-487-4650). Panelists also present their findings in conference papers, journals, and books. All results are unclassified and public. STA/T The Loyola College JTEC staff helps select topics to be assessed, recruits experts as panelists, organizes and coordinates panel activities, provides literature support, organizes tours of Japanese labs, assists in the preparation of workshop presentations and in the preparation of reports, and provides general administrative support. Mr. Cecil Uyehara of Uyehara International Associates provided literature support and advance work for tl_ panel. Dr. Duane Shelton Mr. Geoff Holdridge Dr. George Gamota Principal Investigator Director Senior Advisor to JTEC Loyola College JTEC/Loyola College Mitre Corporation Baltimore, MD 21210 Baltimore, MID 21210 Bedford, MA 01730 /TEG Panel on DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES IN %PAN FINAL REPORT June 1992 Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr., Co-chair William E. Glenn, Co-chair Thomas Credelle J. William Doane Arthur H. Firester Malcolm Thompson This document was sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the Air Force under NSF Grant ENG-911133, awarded to the Japanese Technology Evaluation Center at Loyola College in Maryland. The views expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Government, the authors' parent institutions, or Loyola College. ]TEC/_rEC STAFF R. D. Shelton, Principal Investigator Geoffrey M. Holdridge, JTEC Director Michael DeHaemer, WTEC Director Bobby A. W-illiams, Assistant Director Aminah Batta, Administrative Assistant Catrina Foley, Office Assistant Patricia N. Rogers, Editor Advance Work in Japan performed by Cecil Uyehara of Uyehara Intemational Associates, Inc. Copyright 1992 by Loyola College in Maryland. This report is distributed by the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce as NTIS Report # PB92-100247. Information on ordering from NTIS is available by calling (703) 487-4650. FOREWORD This report is one in a series of reports prepared through the Japanese Technology Evaluation Center (JTEC), sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and administered by Loyola College in Maryland. The report describes research and development efforts in Japan in the area of display technologies. Over the past decade, the United States' competitive position in world markets for high-technology products appears to have eroded substantially. As U.S. technological leadership is challenged, many government and private organizations seek to set policies that will help maintain U.S. competitive strengths. To do this effectively requires an understanding of the relative position of the United States and its competitors. Indeed, whether our goal is competition or cooperation, we must improve our access to the scientific and technical information in other countries. Although many U.S. organizations support substantial data gathering and analysis directed at other nations, the government and privately sponsored studies that are in the public domain tend to be "input" studies. That is, they measure expenditures, personnel data, and facilities but do not assess the quality or quantity of the outputs obtained. Studies of the outputs of the research and development process are more difficult to perform since they require a subjective analysis by individuals who are experts in the relevant technical fields. The National Science Foundation staff includes professionals with expertise in a wide range of technologies. These individuals have the technical expertise to assemble panels of experts who can perform competent, unbiased, scientific and technical reviews of research and development activities. Further, a principal activity of the Foundation is the review and selection for funding of research proposals. Thus the Foundation has both experience and credibility in this process. The JTEC activity builds on this capability. Specific technologies, such as displays, telecommunications, or biotechnology, are selected for study by individuals in government agencies that are able to contribute to the funding of the study. A typical assessment is sponsored by two or more agencies. In cooperation with the sponsoring agencies, NSF selects a panel of experts who will conduct the study. Administrative oversight of the panel is provided by Loyola College in Maryland, which operates JTEC under an NSF grant. Panelists are selected for their expertise in specific areas of technology and their broad knowledge of research and development in both the United States and in Japan. Of great importance is the panelists' ability to produce a comprehensive, informed and unbiased report. Most panelists have travelled previously to Japan or have professional associations with their expert counterparts in Japan. Nonetheless, as part of the assessment, the panel as a whole travels to Japan to spend at least one week visiting research and development sites and meeting with researchers. These trips have proven to be highly informative, and the panelists have been given broad access to both researchers and facilities. Upon completion of its trip, the panel conducts a one-day workshop to present its findings. Following the workshop, the panel completes its written report. Study results are widely distributed. Representatives of Japan and members of the media are invited to attend the workshops. Final reports are made available through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Further publication of results is encouraged in the professional society journals and magazines. Articles derived from earlier JTEC studies have appeared in Science, 1EEE Spectrum, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and others. Additional distribution media, including videotapes, are being tested. Over the years, the assessment reports have provided input into the policy making process of many agencies and organizations. Many of the reports are used by foreign governments and corporations. Indeed, the Japanese have used JTEC reports to their advantage, as the reports provide an independent assessment attesting to the quality of Japan's research. The methodology developed and applied to the study of research and development in Japan has now been shown to be equally relevant to Europe and to other leading industrial nations. In general, the United States can benefit from a better understanding of cutting-edge research that is being conducted outside its borders. Improved awareness of international developments can significantly enhance the scope and effectiveness of international collaboration and thus benefit all our international partners in joint research