Business IT

Polymer display could end shattered smartphones

By Jane McCallion on Jun 11, 2014 3:47PM
Polymer display could end shattered smartphones

Editor's Picks

IoT Explained: What is the Internet of Things in Australia (June 2022)

5 essential digital transformation ideas

Top 5 Benefits of Managed IT Services

Venom BlackBook Zero 15 Phantom

Shattered smartphone screens could be a thing of the past, thanks to a new technology developed by researchers at the University of Akron.

The team, led by assistant professor of polymer science Yu Zhu, has developed a new type of touchscreen made out of a transparent layer of electrodes on a polymer surface.

According to the researchers, whose work was published in the American Chemical Society's journal ACS Nano, the material is "extraordinarily tough and flexible".

Despite being bent 1,000 times during testing, it remained functional and its shape didn't distort.

Coatings for touchscreens are currently made of indium tin oxide (ITO), which is more brittle and likely to shatter than the polymer. The new material is also more cost effective and easily mass produced than ITO, and offers the same transparency with greater conductivity, the group claimed.

Newsletter Signup

Get the latest business tech news, reviews and guides delivered to your inbox.

I have read and accept the privacy policy and terms and conditions and by submitting my email address I agree to receive the Business IT newsletter and receive special offers on behalf of Business IT, nextmedia and its valued partners. We will not share your details with third parties.

"We expect this film to emerge on the market as a true ITO competitor," Zhu said. "The annoying problem of cracked smartphone screens may be solved once and for all with this flexible touchscreen."

However, as the University of Akron's polymer is not yet in commercial production, it will be some time before it arrives in devices.

Mobile manufacturers are already looking to more flexible displays. The LG Flex sports a concave screen, and the iPhone 6 may also feature a curved glass display, although this will likely be more like a slight bulge. Apple's iWatch is also going to have a flexible screen, according to some rumours.

This article originally appeared at pcpro.co.uk

Copyright © PC Pro, Dennis Publishing
Copyright © PC Authority, nextmedia
Tags:
hardware phone
By Jane McCallion
Jun 11 2014
3:47PM
0 Comments

Related Articles

  • Hands on review: Huawei Nova 7i smartphone
  • Don't miss Australia’s premiere IoT Conference on 9th June
  • 5 essential digital transformation ideas
  • Last chance for tickets! Channel Meets: UC | Live Event
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Whatsapp Email A Friend

Most Read Articles

5 essential digital transformation ideas

5 essential digital transformation ideas

Top 5 Benefits of Managed IT Services

Top 5 Benefits of Managed IT Services

IoT Explained: What is the Internet of Things in Australia (June 2022)

IoT Explained: What is the Internet of Things in Australia (June 2022)

The secret behind strategic tech partnerships that win global goals

The secret behind strategic tech partnerships that win global goals

Poll

What would you like to see more of on BiT?
News
Reviews
Features
How To's
Lollies
Photo Galleries
Videos
Opinion
View poll archive
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorisation.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of nextmedia's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.