To
make the touchscreen of your smartphone shatterproof, scientists have
developed a transparent electrode that could change the face of smartphones,
literally, by making their displays completely shatterproof.
Researchers from Ohio-based University of Akron have
shown how a transparent layer of electrodes on a polymer surface could be
extraordinarily tough and flexible, withstanding repeated scotch tape peeling
and bending tests.
"This could revolutionise and replace conventional
touchscreens," said Yu Zhu, an assistant professor of polymer science at
the University of Akron.
Currently used coatings made of indium tin oxide (ITO)
are more brittle, most likely to shatter and increasingly costly to
manufacture.
"Our technology can substitute ITO with a
cost-effective and flexible conductive transparent film," Zhu noted,
adding that the new film provides the same degree of transparency as ITO yet
offers greater conductivity.
The novel film retains its shape and functionality after
tests in which it has been bent 1,000 times.
Due to its flexibility, the transparent electrode can be
fabricated in economical, mass-quantity rolls.
"We expect this film to emerge on the market as a
true ITO competitor. The annoying problem of cracked smartphone screens may be
solved once and for all with this flexible touchscreen,"
No comments:
Post a Comment