Abstract—Recently discovered visible‐emitting porous silicon can potentially lead to many advanced optoelectronic devices, including a new class of flat‐panel displays which can feature monolithic integration of light‐emitting pixels and associated driver electronics on a single substrate, using relatively simple and cost‐effective fabrication processes. Our research group has prepared porous‐silicon layers with strong visible photoluminescence (PL) and has demonstrated one of the first solid‐state electroluminescent (EL) devices in bulk monocrystalline Si material. In addition, we have extended our work beyond bulk Si and have demonstrated visible PL in thin films of porous polycrystalline Si (PPSI) formed on glass substrates. Very recently, we have demonstrated the first electrically induced visible luminescence in PPSI films formed on ITO‐coated glass faceplates. Though not measured quantitatively, the EL emission can be viewed clearly through the glass faceplate in daylight. In this paper, we discuss the potential display applications of both bulk and thin‐film porous Si and explain some of the challenges involved in fabricating devices using th