SearchPooch.com :: Community Blog

LCD’s, navigation systems, handheld terminals, are compact, attractive but the techno geeks are aware of the fact that they are harmful to the eye. They are a major source of harmful radiation. The latest technology to better the above is the color e-paper.

In the year 2005, Fujitsu were the pioneers who created an electronic paper, that could be flexed and display color images even when the power is off. It is a film substrate that is flexible for the paper to bend without distorting. It uses one hundredth to one thousandth of the energy normally required and when at zero, the image remains unchanged, thus, acting as a memory function. This makes it a viable feature for bill boards, back-lit panels that change but not so frequently. They do not use polarizing filters which will limit the light that is transmitted; therefore the quality is also better.

In the year 2007, this company has changed the form reader into an e-factor, Flepia device, a prototype content browser, the size of an A5 sheet, portable, easy to read 4096 color display, with a 50 hour battery life. It utilizes a SD memory card slot and a USB 2.0 connection, displays 3000 pages at a rate of 1 page per minute in 8 colors. The paper medium requires little power and the storage advantages of portable computers. The requirement for power is less because it uses liquid crystal displays to hold a high- contrast; semi-permanent image that once displayed does not require further power.

In October 27, 2008 Samsung and Unidym have created the world’s first carbon nano-tube based color e-paper, just 50 nanometers thick, electrically conductive and completely translucent. The November issue from Qualcomm Reports, Technology Review carries an article on e-paper, they inform that for the e-paper, there is no backlight required and can therefore be read in direct sunlight.

Free style audio player with the Mirasol feature, Qualcomm

How is it possible?

The display consists of two layers of reflective material. The layers are separated by electrostatic forces. A few wavelengths of light bounce off the first layer; some bounce from the second layer or pass through. Interference between the two beams is responsible for the color. Qualcomm calls this technology ‘Mirasol’.

Not to be left behind, LCD’s by EPSON uses a transmissive mode with light provided by a dark light in dark environments and they consume less power by harnessing the solar energy in case of outdoor utilization. The OLPC can change to black and white when it reflects light. This feature promotes high visibility in a high reflective environment.

See Also:

• 360 Paper Water Bottles
• Amazon Kindle Brings Books into the Digital Age
• Recent North American Innovative Technologies Review