Sony 2001 Annual Report Download - page 28

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Sony Corporation Annual Report 2001
26
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Sony is aggressively striving to carry out research and development in areas of technol-
ogy that are seen to have high potential in the future. This includes the development of
technologies indispensable to making electronics products more convenient and
compatible with networks as well as of technologies to support services that use
broadband networks.
THE R&D ORGANIZATION
As part of the April 1, 2001 new group structure, Sony adopted a new framework for R&D
activities. One result is upgraded capabilities at Network Companies for research that
can be quickly applied to ongoing businesses. The Corporate Laboratories, which are
overseen directly by Sony headquarters, will focus on themes that relate to the entire
Sony Group’s medium- and long-term strategic goals.
The Corporate Laboratories consist of seven research centers. The Internet Labora-
tories perform fundamental research involving networking technology for the post-
broadband era. At the Frontier Science Laboratories, work targets electronic materials
and basic devices. The A3 Research Center studies strategic technologies that may lead
to next-generation businesses. The Digital Creatures Laboratory is responsible for robot-
related technologies. At the Wireless Telecommunication Laboratory, research encom-
passes third-generation and subsequent technology. The Cyber Technology Laboratory
studies frameworks and architectures for knowledge management and other next-
generation data processing techniques, as well as fundamental technologies. Finally, the
Fusion Domain Laboratory explores opportunities created by the fusion of device and
nanometer (one billionth of a meter) processing technologies.
Outside Japan, Sony has numerous R&D bases in the United States, Europe, and Asia, a
reflection of its policy of conducting research and product development on a global scale.
ORGANIC ELECTROLUMINESCENCE DISPLAYS
Sony has developed a method to fabricate active matrix Organic Electroluminescence
(OEL) displays. Using low-temperature polysilicon TFTs, these displays have a large
surface area, outstanding brightness, and high resolution. In February 2001, Sony
unveiled a 13-inch full-color prototype that was the largest OEL display in the world at