The
e-paper has a resolution of 96 dpi - slightly higher than
that of a computer monitor. source: Nature
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Researchers have invented an electronic-ink display screen that
is less than 0.3 mm thick and so flexible that it can be rolled
into a tube of only 4 mm across. Plus, the screen can be viewed
from almost any angle.
Researchers hope to one day create an e-newspaper that will
update itself with new headlines each day. But, as it stands,
the display is still too thick to be folded in two.
The screen is run with an electronic network called a thin-film
transistor array. On top of the array is a conducting layer
containing millions of tiny capsules of charge-sensitive black
and white pigments.
The print-like image of the screen is created by a negative
voltage that moves the white particles to the surface and
a positive voltage that brings up black particles. Since the
pattern remains for about 10 minutes after the voltages are
removed, this electronic display is cheaper than others.
The screen takes about a quarter of a second to refresh.
Researchers are confident that they can increase this speed,
which would even allow them to make video screens out of clothes.
This type of display would need to refresh every 15 milliseconds.
Nature.com
May 8, 2003
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