The subject of "34-inch shadow mask PDP" is a project of great significance in the field of new material technology for the national "863" program. Headed by Wang Baoping, electronic engineering professor with Southeast University the group has scored great and creative achievements in theoretical research, structural design optimization, manufacturing technique and motor system etc.

The current PDP technology is incompetent because of high cost, low luminous efficiency and limited life expectancy. And a 34-inch plasma TV is sold at a high price between 30, 000-50, 000 yuan (US$3,625-6,041) and a 55 inch one even around 300, 000 yuan just because it is complicated in the manufacture and low rate in end product that led to a cost so high as such.

Shadow mask PDP, compatible with current PDP manufacturing, boasts simple technique, high production efficiency and rate of end product, high resolution, contrast and luminous efficiency but low cost (about one third of the current cost) which has greatly reduced the manufacturing cost. It enjoys a very good prospect of industrialization and will become an important technological means for China's PDP industry to realize a leaping development.

The color PDP industrial base will be set up in combination with the national high-definition TV development plan to provide new development orientation for making use of the huge cathode ray tube (CRT) production line, said Professor Wang Baoping. It will not only save a great amount of investment for the country but also create technological base for China to win domestic and foreign markets in an important field of display device, a considerable motive force for China's basic industries such as material, machinery and chemistry.

(People's Daily April 1, 2004)