Want To Go Green? E-paper And Flexible OLED Is In The Reality Works!
By: Tony Novoa (Contributing Editor)
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Less Energy, Space or Waste?
Here at MyRealityTech, you know how we feel about cool technology and we are also passionate about the tech to come. Does it contribute to a greener planet by consuming less energy, space or waste? Can it help us to reduce our carbon footprint? We’re on board. So, although not quite ready for prime-time, Samsung, LG and others remind us that advancements are making paper thin, flexible screens a closer reality. At this week’s FPD International event in Japan, Samsung Electronics and LG Display both featured their prototype flexible displays that can actually be slightly bent while continuing to show images. So, if you’re intrigued buy the possibility of interacting with a screen that can be flexed, bent or curved while displaying your favorite video, pictures or other media, read on.
Manufacturers are exhibiting different approaches manifesting the thin, flexible screen. Samsung’s is taking the OLED (organic light emitting diode) approach while LG Display is taking the e-paper display approach. Want to see them in action? Check them out here:
Will That Be E-paper Or Flexible OLED?
Because they don’t rely on backlight technology, both displays can show images while being bent without suffering from distortion or blank spots. That being said, the technologies do work on different principles. OLEDs depend on the fact that when each individual light generating pixel generates light when an electrical charge is applied. On the other hand, e-paper relies on reflected ambient light.
Samsung’s prototype flexible OLED screens were exhibited in a 480 x 800 pixel, 4.5-inch screen and a smaller 240 x 400 pixel, 2.8-inch screen. To demonstrate their flexibility, they were displayed inside rigid plastic cases that kept the screens curved. The really cool thing is that like other more rigid OLED screens, the images were bright and vivid with good color reproduction.
The LG e-paper screen measured in at 19-inches. Not apparently as flexible as the Samsung product, it was displayed gently flexing while showing an image and appeared to not be affected by the movement.
Think that’s cool? The vision is to one day have e-paper screens that are literally as thin as paper and can be rolled up and pushed into bags or briefcases. We are still some time away from being able to go to our local electronics store and buy one of these micro thin screens but we are excited to see how innovation is bringing this closer to being a reality.
At this point, there is no indication as to when any of these flexible, paper-thin displays will be commercially available, so I guess we’ll have to wait a bit for a giveaway on anything like this. Will this help in the green initiative? Potentially… less materials, smaller size, less paper… it all helps! Either way, would you agree that this is way high on the cool factor? We’re sure Jenna wouldn’t mind getting her hands on an early version of one of these.
Go here for more information on currently available products from these vendors:
What do you think? Does thin, flexible screen technology inspire your imagination? What applications could you think of that could benefit from a flexible, paper thin display? Sound off and be heard. You know that at MyRealityTech we always love to know what’s on your mind!
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Tony Novoa has written 28 posts on My Reality Tech
Tony brings over 25 years of executive experience in the IT and marketing industry. He is a proud alumni of Yale University where he majored in English Literature, minored in Film and published the university yearbook (Yale Banner) for two years.
