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Research opportunities |
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Today's digital displays are far from ideal. They are heavy, somewhat fragile and they lack the resolution, flexibility or portability of paper. They are also quite expensive.
We are developing electronic displays that could one day match paper -- and possibly even replace it. Products such as handheld computers and mobile phones could be improved with lighter, thinner and more attractive displays; many more new products could be enabled.
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Research focus |
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Our vision is to create lightweight, portable display surfaces that can be instantly updated and are used for everything from videos to foldable computer screens to wallpaper.
Much of our research into paper-like displays focuses on investigating new materials and manufacturing methods.
We developed a 'printable' plastic display technology that uses a low-temperature plastic imprinting process to allow continuous fabrication of very fine features in a roll-to-roll process. This eliminates the expensive photolithography used to make today's flat panel displays.
Researchers also have developed designs with and without transistors that offer varying tradeoffs between cost and performance. All take advantage of the ease of fabrication long associated with printing technology. |
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Current work |
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We are investigating a number of technologies for the viewing surface, including:
- Bistable liquid crystal displays that can support print-like pixel densities over large areas and hold their images even when disconnected from a power supply. The displays have a low cost of manufacture, and are economic to scale to very large sizes.
- Dye materials using novel electro-chemical switching mechanisms to change their absorption spectra, which could enable new options for reflective display applications. Conventional printed paper is an example of a reflective display.
In addition, we research the engineering of bi-stability, new types of applications made with electronics on plastic, and entirely new types of the printing, embossing, coating and lamination techniques required to successfully build 'printable' displays. |
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Future applications |
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Such displays are expected to lead to a new generation of "ePrint" devices, such as electronic books, magazines, or photo albums, and larger form factors for dynamic posters, noticeboards or signs.
The use of plastic substrates could make it possible to use non-standard shapes and curved or bendable formats, further increasing the opportunities for novel applications. |
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Printing & imaging |
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Printable version
