Washington, November 1 (ANI): In the near future, you may be able to fold up your iPad and put it in your pocket, thanks to a new research by the University of Cincinnati.
Advances that will eventually bring foldable/rollable e-devices as well as no pixel borders are experimentally verified and proven to work in concept at UC's Novel Devices Laboratory.
One challenge in creating foldable e-Paper devices has been the device screen, which is currently made of rigid glass. But what if the screen were a paper-thin plastic that rolled like a window shade? You'd have a device like an iPad that could be folded or rolled up repeatedly - even tens of thousands of time. Just roll it up and stick it in your pocket.
The UC research experimentally verifies that such a screen of paper-thin plastic, what the researchers refer to as "electrofluidic imaging film," works.
The breakthrough is a white, porous film coated with a thin layer of reflective electrodes and spacers that are then subjected to unique and sophisticated fluid mechanics in order to electrically transport the coloured ink and clear-oil fluids that comprise the consumer content (text, images, video) of electronic devices.
"This is the first of any type of electrowetting display that can be made as a simple film that you laminate onto a sheet of controlling electronics," said College of Engineering and Applied Science doctoral students Matthew Hagedon.
"Manufacturers prefer this approach compared to having to build up the pixels themselves within their devices, layer by layer, material by material. Our proof-of-concept breakthrough takes us one step closer to brighter, colour-video e-Paper and the Holy Grail of rollable/foldable displays," he added.
Importantly, this paper-thin plastic screen developed at UC is the first among all types of fluidic displays that has no pixel borders.
Eventually, within 10 to 20 years, e-Devices with magazine-quality color, viewable in bright sunlight but requiring low power will come to market.
"Think of this as the green iPad or e-Reader, combining high function and high color without the weight of a heavy battery, readable out in the sunlight, and foldable into your pocket," said Jason Heikenfeld, associate professor of electronic and computing systems.
The device will require low power to operate since it will charge via sunlight and ambient room light. However, it will be so "tough" and only use wireless connection ports, such that you can leave it out over night in the rain. In fact, you'll be able to wash it or drop it without damaging the thin, highly flexible casing and screen.
This latest proof of concept research verifying the functionality of electrofluidic imaging film builds on previous research out of UC's Novel Devices Laboratory. That previous research broke down a significant barrier to bright electronic displays that don't require a heavy battery to power them.
UC worked on this research with partner: start-up company Gamma Dynamics.
The UC paper describing was recently published in the journal "Nature Communications." (ANI)
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