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HP and ASU Demo Prototype Flexible Display

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the soft-hardware dept.

Engadget is reporting that HP and Arizona State University's cooperation has given birth to a new prototype flexible display. Using "self-aligned imprint lithography" (SAIL) the prototype device is easy to manufacture, environmentally friendly, and incredibly resilient. Unfortunately it is still a prototype, so don't expect to see this tech hit the streets for quite a while yet.

64 comments

  1. Bistable by Sockatume · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Even more interestingly, it's a type of colour bistable display, so combined with the roll-to-roll process it really is electronic paper. If it's as hardy as they say, I guess we can look forward to a "real" e-ink cover in Esquire in five to ten years.

    --
    No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
    1. Re:Bistable by VeNoM0619 · · Score: 1

      Yep... and I'll be the first person to buy one in that 5-10 years (when the price drops below $100).

      --
      Disclaimer: I am not god.
      We may not be created equal
      But we can be treated equal.
    2. Re:Bistable by xonar · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Maybe everyone would own a "news-paper", refreshing with new, up-to-date news every day.

    3. Re:Bistable by blai · · Score: 1

      If you wait till the price drops, how will you be the first person buying it? I see that you'll appreciate a free copy, though.

      --
      In soviet Russia, God creates you!
  2. Video -- Monochrome Display only :/ by jdb2 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Does anyone know where to find a video of the RGB display? A video of the immediate predecessor of the above is available here ( dynamic stress testing )

    jdb2

    1. Re:Video -- Monochrome Display only :/ by ryansherwood · · Score: 1

      That is one tough display. It's interesting to think of the possibilities of this.

  3. Finally by amazeofdeath · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now I can enjoy my adult entertainment the way I like it... *snuggles*

    --
    U+F8FF
    1. Re:Finally by ColdWetDog · · Score: 3, Funny

      Now I can enjoy my adult entertainment the way I like it... *snuggles*

      'Snuggle' - I don't think that word means what you think it means.

      You might consider posting as an AC with this sort of perversion.

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    2. Re:Finally by clone53421 · · Score: 1

      Blankets are snuggly, and you won't have to worry about rolling over in your sleep and cracking the LCD on your laptop...

      --
      Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
    3. Re:Finally by amazeofdeath · · Score: 1

      What? You must be one of those guys who run directly to the shower or fall asleep. Insensitive clod.

      --
      U+F8FF
    4. Re:Finally by bluesatin · · Score: 3, Funny

      I have narcolepsy and obsessive compulsive disorder you insensitive clod!

    5. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Snuggles - (snÅg'É(TM)ls) From the latin snugarious, snuggles is the act of copulation with a dryer sheet. http://johnlarroquetteproject.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/snuggle.jpg

    6. Re:Finally by Icegryphon · · Score: 0

      So ronrey

    7. Re:Finally by badkarmadayaccount · · Score: 1

      I use my laptop instead of a teddybear, you insensitive clod!

      --
      I know tobacco is bad for you, so I smoke weed with crack.
    8. Re:Finally by badkarmadayaccount · · Score: 1

      *Checks treatment* Ohhh, I get it... Me too, can I have some of your pills, mine are all out.

      --
      I know tobacco is bad for you, so I smoke weed with crack.
    9. Re:Finally by clone53421 · · Score: 1

      I tried that once, but it had pointy corners.

      --
      Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
  4. It sure would be nice to have a scroll-mobile by Iowan41 · · Score: 5, Funny

    So that we who are old enough to have coded in punch cards can read our netphone screens. :-)

    1. Re:It sure would be nice to have a scroll-mobile by evanbd · · Score: 1

      You mean this? (Original appears to be here but hidden behind icky flash and with worse presentation.)

  5. So many possibilities by tripdizzle · · Score: 2, Funny

    I cant wait until I can fold up my monitor and put it in my pocket.

    --
    "A claim for equality of material position can be met only by a government with totalitarian powers." Hayek
  6. Good thing they're flexible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Engadget is reporting that HP and Arizona State University's cooperation has given birth to a new prototype flexible display.

    Just imagine giving birth to a CRT. Ouch.

    1. Re:Good thing they're flexible by Fred_A · · Score: 1

      Engadget is reporting that HP and Arizona State University's cooperation has given birth to a new prototype flexible display.

      Just imagine giving birth to a CRT. Ouch.

      And as usual the father is a SAILor. Those guys ought to take more responsibility.

      --

      May contain traces of nut.
      Made from the freshest electrons.
  7. Ever considered Ninnle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ninnle Linux is truly the way to go in this case.

    Ninnle: The choice of Linus Torvalds.

    1. Re:Ever considered Ninnle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Amusing,

      The only references to Ninnle on Google are actually back to comments made here on /.

      Self-Referencing to the nth power!

    2. Re:Ever considered Ninnle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you're a Ninnle power user then?

  8. The problem by eclectro · · Score: 4, Funny

    The ink cartridges used to do the lithography only come one-quarter filled.

    --
    Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
    1. Re:The problem by JCSoRocks · · Score: 2, Insightful

      And they stop working and demand that you replace them when they're only down to one-eighth filled.

      --
      You are using English. Please learn the difference between loose and lose; they're, there, and their; your and you're.
    2. Re:The problem by Yvan256 · · Score: 3, Funny

      The price of that new display will be very low, however they'll get you on the cost of screen refreshes.

  9. Videos here by freddy_dreddy · · Score: 5, Informative

    They mapped their milestones with photographs & videos:

    Clink

    --
    "Violence is the last refuge of the competent, and, generally, the first refuge of the incompetent" - Thing_1
    1. Re:Videos here by edalytical · · Score: 1

      It is absolutely perplexing to me that /. would link to an engadget article instead of the university's website. Thanks for the real link!

      --
      Win a signed Stephen Carpenter ESP Guitar from the Deftones: http://def-tag.com/?r=0008781
    2. Re:Videos here by Fred_A · · Score: 1

      They mapped their milestones with photographs & videos:

        Clink

      Judging from the demo video, the display is in levels of grey, not in colour :(
      And not all that flexible (it would have to be quite large to be rolled). But quite resilient, which is still fairly good compared to what we've got nowadays.

      --

      May contain traces of nut.
      Made from the freshest electrons.
  10. But the question remains... by bconway · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will it blend?

    --
    Interested in open source engine management for your Subaru?
    1. Re:But the question remains... by LrdDimwit · · Score: 3, Funny

      Alpha or centrifugal?

  11. Not so fast ... it will come with the warning ... by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... "Do not fold, spindle or mutilate."

    If you're young enough not to have ever read such a message, don't worry about it.

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  12. Re:Not so fast ... it will come with the warning . by tripdizzle · · Score: 1

    lol, yeah, the warning will also say "Do not attempt to bend or break the unbreakable bendable display. Any attempt to do so, or evidence of an attempt to do so will void the warranty."

    --
    "A claim for equality of material position can be met only by a government with totalitarian powers." Hayek
  13. only thing I can say. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is if the military is investing in it, only thing I can imagine it for is active camo on body armor. Forget maps and mobile devices.

    1. Re:only thing I can say. by i_ate_god · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yeah, because the internet is only used for discreet, reliable military communication. Forget about maps and mobile devices.

      --
      I'm god, but it's a bit of a drag really...
    2. Re:only thing I can say. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, because the internet is only used for porn

      Fixed that for you.

    3. Re:only thing I can say. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      active camo... being able to display the background behind you on something that can move with flexible armor. What does that have to do with the internet?

  14. Smaller Laptops? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Could this lead to smaller laptops, with just a folding frame to support the flexible screen, which could wrap around the hard case when not in use?

  15. Still needs backlight by gsgriffin · · Score: 1, Informative

    It looks like this is only the color filtering aspect of a display and not the light source. Still have to hold it up to a flashlight while you try to use it or hang it from your window. In these cases, it would be easier if it were not so flexible.

    Now if they had this display providing light and being still thin and flexible, then you got the whole package.

    --
    jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
    1. Re:Still needs backlight by Amouth · · Score: 2, Interesting

      actualy if they did make it completely out of (basicly) clear plastic - i wonder if it would have the same optical effect that plexi glass or lexan does.. where youcan put a beam of light through it and any holes or imperfections cause reflection at 90 degrees.

      meaning they could do a roll out display with white LED's at the end of the screen - light would travel through the display untill it hit a colored pixel and refract light out... i do see a color bleading issue with this but would still be a neat way of supplying light

      just an idea

      --
      '...if only "Jumping to a Conclusion" was an event in the Olympics.'
    2. Re:Still needs backlight by gsgriffin · · Score: 1

      That could work in theory. I imagine you would have to have micro-layers to channel the light from the source out to the pixls and have each column of pixels be in an incrimentally lower depth so as to be hit by a fresh beam of light and not obstructed by the light source from a column of pixels between it and the source.

      You are basically getting to the point of creating a sheet of fiber-optics, if you take it this far. That would be better than a disruption of light. You shoot the light straight out at the viewer. Now we're talk big bucks!!

      --
      jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
    3. Re:Still needs backlight by Amouth · · Score: 2, Interesting

      true - but another way of doing it is this,

      if you think of how a back light on an LCD works there is one light source that is injected into a peice of glass and there is a reflective layer around all the edges and the back with a polirized layer (usualy 3-4) on the front then the LCD.. the idea being the light will bounce around untill it is at relitivly 90 degree of this the only part that can't be made flexiable is the glass and the LCD .. well this is the LCD .. and it is clear platic.. could it not be made 2x as thick with this tec on the top layer and the light shot in the bottom.. adding the polirizing layers shouldnt' be too hard.. and as this is a double sided display you wouldn't need the reflective surface ont he back as the other side would be another set of polirizers. each layer acking as a refractor for the other side.

      this would be really neat to play with..

      --
      '...if only "Jumping to a Conclusion" was an event in the Olympics.'
    4. Re:Still needs backlight by Fred_A · · Score: 1

      It looks like this is only the color filtering aspect of a display and not the light source. Still have to hold it up to a flashlight while you try to use it or hang it from your window. In these cases, it would be easier if it were not so flexible.

      If it were to be fairly transparent when blanked, it could be permanently affixed to window panes and it wouldn't be an issue. The rest of the time you could use it to have interesting displays on your windows (or just blanking).

      --

      May contain traces of nut.
      Made from the freshest electrons.
    5. Re:Still needs backlight by gsgriffin · · Score: 1

      I like that thought...

      Sales pitch: "Don't like the view out your window, just download the "window saver" display scenes and have your view instantly show the scenery you wished you had. Live in a bad part of town? Now you can have beautiful vistas out every window..."

      --
      jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
  16. Wow by CynicalTyler · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm just surprised ASU stopped drinking long enough to make something.

    1. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think it should be noted that ASU has been off the Princeton Review's list of top 10 party schools for some time now.

    2. Re:Wow by CynicalTyler · · Score: 1

      You mean to tell me they're no longer good at the one thing they were good at? ;)

    3. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who says we stopped drinking???
      ASU students can drink and do work.

  17. Re:mod Z3own by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't get it... it isn't funny, it's not a first post, and there's no Goatse link. What sort of crap is this? You trolls are really slipping.

  18. Re:Wowie! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I want one so I can display a picture of Lindsey Lohan on it and then roll it up and fuck it!

    Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper (and quicker) just to buy a glossy mag instead?- or was Lindsay Lohan just an excuse for your techno-fetish?!

  19. A little early to be happy? by rezalas · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm not seeing anywhere in the article (or in any other article) about the displays being color (or how many colors). I watched the milestone videos and read the ASU project site, but beyond saying flexible color displays is their goal I don't see anything that says they've achieved it. Also, that image in the site looks like very old stock footage someone made as apposed to a demo unit. The ones shown on the site are all the size of a business card.

  20. Don't get your hopes up... by Chineseyes · · Score: 0

    My fiancée works in a research lab where they are creating photoelectric polymers with salmon dna which is oddly enough as good a conductor as copper. This stuff is a VERY long way off from becoming mainstream, as I understand it the process for creating these sort of materials in very small quantities can take a long time and doesn't have a very high yield thus making it very expensive.

    --
    I think the invisible hand of the market has its middle finger extended

    --A wise old fart named SC0RN
    1. Re:Don't get your hopes up... by Fred_A · · Score: 1

      My fiancée works in a research lab where they are creating photoelectric polymers with salmon dna which is oddly enough as good a conductor as copper.

      Why would salmon DNA, specifically, would be a better conductor than trout DNA or even snail DNA for that matter ?

      (just wondering, the molecules themselves are similar, seen as a whole)

      --

      May contain traces of nut.
      Made from the freshest electrons.
    2. Re:Don't get your hopes up... by Chineseyes · · Score: 1

      Good question, I don't know I'm just going off of what I was told when I visited the lab, but I would assume the choice of salmon sperm dna probably has to do with cost.

      --
      I think the invisible hand of the market has its middle finger extended

      --A wise old fart named SC0RN
    3. Re:Don't get your hopes up... by Solarhands · · Score: 1

      I know how to create more salmon DNA!

      I hope for your sake that your fiancee does too.

  21. Wat I want by bbroerman · · Score: 1

    I really can't wait until we have PDAs like those in the movie Red Planet. Cool! Maybe by then we'll have Aimee as well.

    --
    Logic is the beginning of reason, not the end of it.
  22. ASU not a typo for ASUS? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I looked at the title and figured someone typo'd ASU for ASUS. C'mon Editors, not all of us know every acronym.

  23. No thanks, unless it's better than *-IPS/AFFS by sethstorm · · Score: 1

    Nice, but it's no replacement for high-quality laptop screens. Work on those first.

    --
    Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.