Corning Incorporated and OLEDWorks LLC, along with innovation facilitator NineSigma, today announced an OLED lighting design open innovation contest.

Open innovation contests empower companies to reach beyond their walls and their industries to engage the most qualified innovators in the world. It allows companies to efficiently identify solutions that address strategically important needs.

Contestants are challenged to integrate thin, lightweight, and cool-to-the-touch OLEDWorks lighting panels into functional luminaires that are practical yet creative.

OLED panels change how lighting is used in architectural designs. Unlike traditional lighting that requires light bulbs, OLEDs are thin panels that can be integrated into luminaires, architectural building materials, and furniture to create seamless lighting design experiences. Light transmitted through the surface delivers a low glare, naturally diffusing area light.

The innovation contest, jointly sponsored by Corning and OLEDWorks, is intended to:

• Create designs that are functional, practical and can be manufactured
• Acquire creative designs that take advantage of unique OLEDWorks product attributes, including thin, lightweight, cool to the touch, and color quality
• Identify innovative applications for OLEDWorks panels with a focus on retail, hospitality, residential, and medical lighting
• Encourage designs that demonstrate a full lighting experience while offering utility and uniqueness

“OLED lighting inspires a unique response from the design community,” said David DeJoy, OLEDWorks board chairman. “There is something about the light quality and the thinness that draws people in, makes them want to touch it and create with it.  It will be exciting to see ideas that will spring from this contest and the energy around bringing OLED light to practical yet beautiful applications.”

“We believe this contest will create excitement in the lighting design community, realize unique design possibilities with existing OLED panels, and broaden awareness of OLED lighting technology for design professionals around the world,” said Dr. Dipak Q. Chowdhury, division vice president and program director, Emerging Innovations Group, Corning. “We look forward to creative design submissions that stretch the imagination while being practical, aesthetically appealing, and present a path to fabrication.”

All proposals must be submitted online at NineSights.com by June 30, 2016.  Up to five winners will be announced in September and awarded $10,000 each.  The contest is open to the public, including students, emerging professional designers, and professionals working at design studios and luminaire companies. Additional information can be found online at https://ninesights.ninesigma.com/web/lighting.

Corning and OLEDWorks engaged NineSigma to create and execute the open innovation contest that will broaden their network, and help identify winning proposals to design new luminaries for OLEDWorks panels.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which are based on current expectations and assumptions about Corning’s financial results and business operations, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include: the effect of global political, economic and business conditions; conditions in the financial and credit markets; currency fluctuations; tax rates; product demand and industry capacity; competition; reliance on a concentrated customer base; manufacturing efficiencies; cost reductions; availability of critical components and materials; new product commercialization; pricing fluctuations and changes in the mix of sales between premium and non-premium products; new plant start-up or restructuring costs; possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity, armed conflict, political or financial instability, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, or major health concerns; adequacy of insurance; equity company activities; acquisition and divestiture activities; the level of excess or obsolete inventory; the rate of technology change; the ability to enforce patents; product and components performance issues; retention of key personnel; stock price fluctuations; and adverse litigation or regulatory developments. These and other risk factors are detailed in Corning’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day that they are made, and Corning undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

Digital Media Disclosure

In accordance with guidance provided by the SEC regarding the use of company websites and social media channels to disclose material information, Corning Incorporated (“Corning”) wishes to notify investors, media, and other interested parties that it intends to use its website (http://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events.html) to publish important information about the company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. The list of websites and social media channels that the company uses may be updated on Corning’s media and website from time to time. Corning encourages investors, media, and other interested parties to review the information Corning may publish through its website and social media channels as described above, in addition to the company’s SEC filings, press releases, conference calls, and webcasts.

About NineSigma

NineSigma connects organizations with external innovation resources to accelerate innovation in private, public and social sectors. NineSigma has the largest open global network of solution providers and an extensive database of existing solutions spanning numerous industries and technical disciplines. In 2015, the company was again named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America. Learn more at www.ninesigma.com or www.ninesights.com.

About OLEDWorks LLC

OLEDWorks is a leader in the development and production of affordable and innovative organic light emitting diode lighting solutions. OLEDWorks was founded by many of the original pioneers in the OLED industry, giving OLEDWorks the unique OLED production experience and insight into manufacturing strategies specifically tailored to lighting. OLEDWorks applies its more than 300 person years of collective industry experience in OLED technology to making the most advanced and cost effective solutions in OLED lighting.

With production in Aachen, Germany and Rochester, New York, where it is headquartered, OLEDWorks is the only U.S. based OLED light engine and panel manufacturer, and has become the dependable source for OLED lighting solutions. For more information, visit www.OLEDWorks.com.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science. For more than 160 years, Corning has applied its unparalleled expertise in specialty glass, ceramics, and optical physics to develop products that have created new industries and transformed people’s lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in R&D, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and close collaboration with customers to solve tough technology challenges. Corning’s businesses and markets are constantly evolving. Today, Corning’s products enable diverse industries such as consumer electronics, telecommunications, transportation, and life sciences. They include damage-resistant cover glass for smartphones and tablets; precision glass for advanced displays; optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions for high-speed communications networks; trusted products that accelerate drug discovery and manufacturing; and emissions-control products for cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles.