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Ink Breakthrough Heralds Bendy PC Screens

Posted by timothy on from the 1001-positions-for-computing dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Researchers claim to have developed a type of soluble semiconductor ink which could help to make bendable computer screens a reality. Developed at Polyera and BASF Future Business, the ink carries an N-Type negative charge. Previously, semiconductor inks have only been able to carry a positive charge. The new ink can be printed onto any flexible material, including plastic and paper, using only a modified ink-jet printer."

13 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. How much will this new ink cost? by Swordopolis · · Score: 5, Funny

    As if I didn't already spend enough money on those damn cartridges.

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    1. Re:How much will this new ink cost? by JCSoRocks · · Score: 5, Funny

      Can't be more than the $8,000 a gallon we're all currently paying.

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    2. Re:How much will this new ink cost? by AKAImBatman · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Somewhat off topic, but I just had to share.

      As if I didn't already spend enough money on those damn cartridges.

      That right there is why I decided to purchase a laser printer. The Brother MFC-7840W may cost $300 up front ($238 from Amazon w/free shipping), but the cartridges are only $46 and last for thousands of pages. (Standard cartridge is rated at 1,500 pages, though you can get more out of it.) In addition, the unit is an office-quality copier, scanner, and fax machine. All over a wireless network.

      I've gotten into the habit of scanning my documents to PDF, then sticking the original paper version into a "safe place" where I'm sure it will never be found again. Which doesn't worry me because I can electronically pull the document and reprint. Because it's a laser, reprinting is not an issue now that I don't have to wait all friggin' day for my printouts!

      Sure, there's no color. But it's not like I've been trying to get a color printer anyway. Compare to the HP and Lexmark I had previously where the ink cost twice as much, "dried up" before I managed to print more than 50 pages (stupid protection circuitry), had the flimsiest of paper trays that could only hold a dozen sheets, would only work if both the color and BW cartridges were full, and regularly crumpled the paper and jammed while they ponderously swung the print head back and forth.

      I'm never going back to inkjets. Ever. I'd rather live without a printer than subject myself to such horrors again. If anyone here is thinking of making a printer purchase, consider upgrading to a laser. You'll save yourselves a fortune in the long run, and you'll send a message to these greedy printer companies that we don't want to deal with their crappy ink cartridges any longer.

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    3. Re:How much will this new ink cost? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Disclaimer: I'm in the remanufactured ink and laser industry

      Here are a few routes you can go:
      I prefer HP. If you have to have color, get an HP Business Inkjet Printer. They take the HP 88XL black cartridge, which is rated at around 2500 pages. An aftermarket cartridge should cost $20. This matches the price per page of an entry level laser cartridges, such as an HP Q2612A.

      For anything else, eBay is your friend. More modern laser cartridges tend to give you less pages for more dollars. Cartridges like the 92298X (which are very old) do over 8800 pages (at 5% page coverage, think newspaper text). A decent aftermarket 98X should cost ~$60.

      If you need a color laser, I prefer the HP printer that takes the Q6000 series. They are not too big machines, and the toner isn't too expensive.

      If you want to reman your own (I highly suggest you don't), A few of the Brother toner cartridges would be a way to go. Most of them are :

      a. Dump in Toner
      b. Reset a gear
      c. Print.

      The older ones don't have a drum built into the toner cartridge, which also helps for a home reman.

      Less than a cent per page is easily achieved, even if you buy decent quality re manufactured product.

      Uh oh, here comes my boss. Back to work.

  2. Remind me again... by Jonah+Bomber · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why, exactly, do we need bendy computer screens?

    1. Re:Remind me again... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      in 15 years you'll be wondering how we survived without them.

    2. Re:Remind me again... by amRadioHed · · Score: 5, Funny

      Bah. If stone tablets were good enough for the 10 Commandments, they're good enough for me.

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  3. How does this help? by dragonjujotu · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Am I missing something? Even TFA doesn't say how this is a major step forward for bendable computer screens.

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    Yes, I am obsessed with ellipses.
  4. Cool, but... by lixee · · Score: 5, Informative

    The article is very light, but let it be known that N-type organic semiconductors have conductivities that are orders of magnitude lower than their P-type counterparts. They are usually much less stable too. If they managed to get something that doesn't need inert athmosphere, encapsulation and can transport a fraction of charges the p-type conjugated materials do, it would be a breakthrough. But I'm really not holding my breath. As someone working in the field, it sounds like vaporware to me.

    --
    Res publica non dominetur
  5. Holy crap! by pushing-robot · · Score: 4, Funny

    the ink carries an N-Type negative charge. Previously, semiconductor inks have only been able to carry a positive charge.

    Do you have any idea what this means?! The possibilities are mind-boggling! You'll be able to put the batteries in backwards!

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    How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
  6. Re:"Could" help, yeah. by VeNoM0619 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yea, and leaving my house "could lead to" a girlfriend, but who wants to take that chance?

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  7. Re:Uhm... by idontgno · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, I think the crucial difference between what TFA is talking about and you're talking about is bendable screens that keep working after you bend them.

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    Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
  8. Without reading the article... by lewp · · Score: 4, Funny

    3-5 years away? Am I right?

    If only I lived 3-5 years from now...

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