Flat Display Panel Pr

Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1993 22:55:29 -0600 From: cbrinson@nwu.edu (L.C. Brinson) Subject: [*] nsf flat-panel display pr This is an old press release from NSF, but one that I didn't see appear on the virtual pages of info-mac. Here it is now. Warren Kibbe cbrinson@nwu.edu GEnie: W.Kibbe AOL: WAKibbe Title : RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH FOR FLAT-PANEL DISPLAY DEVICES ANNOUNCED Type : Press Release NSF Org: OD / LPA Date : November 30, 1992 File : pr92102 Mary Hanson November 30, 1992 (202) 357-9498 NSF PR 92-102 RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH FOR FLAT-PANEL DISPLAY DEVICES ANNOUNCED A recent research breakthrough in reflective, front-lit displays promises to lead to significant and noticable improvements in laptop computers and other flat-panel display devices. The prototype liquid crystal display which may replace today's more bulky and power hungry back-lit displays was invented by scientists from Ohio's Science and Technology Center (STC) and the Liquid Crystal Institute. The National Science Foundation (NSF) established the STC program in 1987 as a means to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness by encouraging partnerships between the basicascience programs of academia and industry. Ohio's STC is one of 25 nationwide, and is located at Kent State University. Like each of the STCs, the one in Ohio was created with a specific goal in mind; to pursue liquid crystalline research. The new technology is the result of collaboration by several scientists working together at Kent State. It has already attracted the strong attention of the multibillion dollar display industry, which anticipates smaller, lighter and more energy efficient lap top computers and other portable display products producing remarkably sharp images which can be viewed easily even in bright sunlight. According to Dr. J. William Doane, one of the inventors of the liquid crystal display, the key to the new technology is that it does not require back lights. "Back lights are bulky and power hungry, draining most of the power from the batteries in devices like lap top computers," he said. "Eliminating the need (for back lights) means a device can run substantially longer and will be lighter in weight." Another feature exclusive to the new technology is that it has full memory; an image will remain on the screen indefinitely without needing to be "kept alive" electronically. The new material -- named "Polymer-Stabilized Cholesteric Textures" -- is suitable for use in any flexible plastic display, from computer screens to signs of every size. Plastic displays would be lighter and thus more portable than current liquid crystal, flat-panel displays, which are made on heavier and breakable glass. Patents have been filed for the new liquid-crystal technology, which was invented by Drs. Deng-ke Yang and L.C. Chien, both senior research …