Flexible Displays from the US Army!
November 21st 2008 23:30
Though the US military is often criticized for spending too much money on toys and guns, one unequivocal fact is that they fund research into many exciting technologies, some which will be commercialized for consumer products.
The electronic ink products are coming out fast and hard, as companies race to deliver an 'e-reader' to the public. The Amazon Kindle was the first big push, but it didn't catch on like some had hoped.
Others are waiting for Apple's move into this territory, as they have that savvy consumer sense, and the design expertise to make a product that people will want to buy.
Wired reports that the US Army is spearheading more advances into a new type of electronic ink, a flexible display, which is printed on a plastic material that can be shaped and formed into visors, windshields, etc.
"That technology could become reality in two to three years, thanks to U.S. Army-backed research being done at Arizona State University's Flexible Display Center. According to Army researchers, the displays could be in field trials with soldiers as early as 2010 or 2011.
"The Army's motivation is to give soldiers the best situational awareness," says David Morton, U.S. Army research laboratory manager for the center. "Flexible display technology can enable us give soldiers information in ways we can't now." "
"The Army's motivation is to give soldiers the best situational awareness," says David Morton, U.S. Army research laboratory manager for the center. "Flexible display technology can enable us give soldiers information in ways we can't now." "
It makes sense fo the military, too - imagine reducing the weight of all their electronics and displays? They could save on costs and reduce the amount of equipment that their soldiers need to carry.
The military has come together with electronics companies to try and bring these products to the market. Hopefully, I'll be watching movies on them any day....
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