Three Fujitsu companies have gotten together to deliver the world's first flexible colour e-paper that doesn't lose its display when switched off. Woohoo!

Fujitsu Laboratories, Fujitsu and Fujitsu Frontech announced on 13 July that they have developed the world's first flexible colour electronic paper that retains its display when unpowered.

The use of a film substrate for the ultra-thin display device allows it to be flexible. As the display portion uses three overlaid red, green and blue panels, a colour filter and polarising layer are not necessary. The display is brighter than a reflective LCD and, as refreshing is not required, there is no flickering. In addition, the screen colours do not distort when the screen is bent or pressed with a finger.





As the display retains its state even when powered off, it is suitable for a wide range of applications such as POP advertisements, menus and the display of information on curved walls. Rewriting of the display uses 1/100-1/10,000th of the power of similar existing technologies and is performed wirelessly using weak electro-magnetic energy.

The trial product produced by the three companies is about the size of the palm of the hand but the technology can be easily scaled up. Commercialisation is targeted for 2006.

Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2005/0713/fujitsu.htm

News release:
http://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/2005/07/13-1.html