07-05-2007, 01:13 AM | #1 | |
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*Transparent* E-Paper at Purdue University
Nanotechnology yields nanotransistors and nanowires, and e-paper you can see through!
The folks over at Purdue University have decided not to let the uber-geeks from MIT have all the e-print fun. They've created an entirely transparent e-paper. (Please note that the image here isn't the stuff -- the uber-geeks at Purdue haven't provided any actual images, so I had to make due) The first image that flashes to my mind is this stuff, over a white background, with a back-light behind that, or maybe in between. The first things that popped into their minds, evidently, included: "e-paper and flexible color screens for consumer electronics to 'smart cards' and 'heads-up' displays in auto windshields." Most of the linked write up is recapitulation of the advantages of e-papers vis a vis conventional display techs, plus discussion of how previous approaches failed to yield fully transparent results. And a fair amount of disjointed exuberance over what they've done -- arguably well earned exuberance. You can get the gist of what they've accomplished from the study's Abstract: Quote:
A special thanks to "The Watcher" over at the Baen Bar for pointing this out! |
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07-05-2007, 07:09 AM | #2 |
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Goody! Now we can have it backlit too
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07-05-2007, 07:27 AM | #3 |
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Uh. Wouldn't that be e-Saran Wrap?
Actually I have been hoping for eTissue so I can read while attending the, er, cabinet. Sorry for the in-joke. Last edited by mogui; 07-05-2007 at 07:29 AM. |
07-05-2007, 08:48 AM | #4 |
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You should be sorry, mogui!
I should have pointed out that this stuff is still very much at the laboratory stage, though with e-ink displaying some market viability, they may be more ... motivated to bring it out of the lab than they might have otherwise been. |
07-05-2007, 09:13 AM | #5 |
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Very, Very, cool.
I agree that a whilte background + backlight would be ideal. I don't know how the technology works, but I like the idea. |
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07-05-2007, 09:25 AM | #6 |
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It just occurred to me -- the sort of thing they're describing might also make the old sci-fi idea of windows that you can black out without blinds or curtains possible! I've always loved that idea.
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07-05-2007, 10:03 AM | #7 |
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It does exist; LCD based. Cadillac had a proto of an automatic windshield that varies the opacity according to incoming light.
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07-05-2007, 10:13 AM | #8 |
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But ... doesn't that stuff have to be continuously powered?
I'm thinking I'd like opaquing windows on my house, and I wouldn't want them to go all clear when the power went out. Nor would I want them drawing power all the time, if I can help it. |
07-05-2007, 11:02 AM | #9 |
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True eink would be better. LCDs of this kind take relatively low amounts of power and outages being fairly unfrequent, I don't think the family jewels would be exposed that often. Just make sure to have a bathrobe at hand!
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07-05-2007, 03:12 PM | #10 |
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I get the impression that their "epaper" is simply the transparent film over an opaque white background. So maybe theirs would have nice strong white but weak on black.
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07-05-2007, 03:14 PM | #11 |
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That's a thought, dugbug, they haven't specified there the mechanism for the 'ink' itself, and how opaque and black it can be is definitely an important factor.
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07-05-2007, 03:17 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
There were also some house windows mentioned installed somewhere (again, can't remember where ) and i recall reading about a prototype window containing both, a transparent photovoltaic layer and an LC layer, sandwiched between the glass panes. On a side note, transparent e-paper could create some interesting new possibilities for user interfaces... Stacking sheets with annotation on sheets with content, for example (in a "dumb" way, like overhead transparencies, or with some imbued "intelligence", i.e. sheets "sensing" one another's content and position). Last edited by orcinus; 07-05-2007 at 03:22 PM. |
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07-05-2007, 03:27 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
Great googley moogley. I think you just invented a true 3D display, orcinus. |
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07-05-2007, 04:23 PM | #14 | |
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I think they are. If they aren't, what do they use?
Quote:
(BTW, too much Zappa? ) |
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07-05-2007, 04:43 PM | #15 | |
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Great Googely Moogely was as exclamation on 'Yellow Snow' wasn't it? BTTT I still don't understand how eink could be made transparent! |
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