University Claims to Have Developed World’s First Flexible Touchscreen Display
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Instead of using solid glass for the touchscreen, the device incorporates special material from DuPont Tijin Films in order for the paper-thin display to bend or roll up without damaging the gadget. The device also uses technology from E-ink Corp, allowing users to write, store and erase their own content on the displays; eventually, they will also be available in full color. Although it sounds pretty cool, don’t get your hopes up: The Flexible Display Center estimates that this flexible touchscreen display won’t be available for another 18 months.
Now, in a major effort to revolutionize on-field command and information exchange, the Army has teamed up with ASU to establish the Flexible Display Center (FDC).
“The FDC brings together academia, industry and government to develop what, in essence, will be revolutionary information portals – devices that are small, lightweight, rugged and consume very little power,” says ASU President Michael Crow. “But they will be very powerful in that they will hold the key to successful military operations: real-time information.”
Increasing the pace
Crow adds that the center will accelerate research, development and manufacture of flexible display technologies, which will boost commercialization of flexible displays. As an early adopter, the Army will use the technology developed in the center to accelerate the pace of its transformation, which cannot be achieved with existing glass-based displays. In addition, the Army’s investment will lead to low-volume manufacturing that meets its needs while ensuring the technologies become the industry’s commercial standard.
“Flexible displays are the next revolution in information technology that will enable lighter-weight, lower-power, more-rugged systems for portable and vehicle applications,” says Brig. Gen. Roger Nadeau, commanding general of the Army’s Research, Development and Engineering Command.
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