Flexible Computers in the Future?

An anonymous reader writes "New Scientist is reporting on Sony bendable input devices. When computers become too small to be operated by buttons, how will we control them? The only option will be to gently bend them, according to engineers at Sony's Interaction Lab in Tokyo." The diagrams make it look like a warped Game Boy. Looks pretty cool, though.

Comments

Re:Any ideas how this would work in real life?

[helix400]

RTA. It comes with a neat picture that explains it pretty well. The credit card one on the right seems to be the most practical reason to use bending. While viewing a map, you bend it to scroll left or right, or zoom in or out. Makes sense to me.

Re:What's the lifespan?

[RPI Geek]

Yes, I know they're small piezoelectric particles to generate voltage when compressed, but those can't last forever.

You're halfway right.
When a material is deformed by stretching, compressing, twisting, or bending (which is really a combination of stretching and compressing), there is a region called the elastic region where the material will return to its original size and shape when the force deforming it is released. Beyond the elastic region is the plastic region, where the material will remain deformed. If the material is deformed in such a way that the deformation never reaches the plastic region, the material(with a few exceptions) can be cycled (deformed and returned) infinitely without failing. The amount beyond the elastic region that the material is deformed determines how long the material will last. Think about bending a paper clip or a pencil in your hands.
There's a whole field of study devoted to understanding this process better, and to make the existing equations fit the real world better.
Any inaccuracies or typos are because I'm tired and it's late, feel free to correct me if you know what you're talking about.b