HP tests flexible displays of the future, any takers?

The arena of flexible displays just got a lot more competitive, with computer giant Hewlett-Packard announcing the testing of a fully flexible display scene, which its researchers promise shall have multiple uses across the length and breadth of both the consumer and retail sectors. The display on these flexible screens is created by a process akin to the process of printing paper. However, instead of using ink to print, here you are etching or embedding millions of tiny, microscopic transmitters on the medium of display, which can be charged using both, battery or solar power as desired.

HP fully flexible display

Why this sudden interest in flexible display you may ask. Well, to be honest there is nothing sudden about it, as numerous interesting developments have been going on in this field for decades now. You are now hearing about it more often, as technology in general has deliberately chosen to move away from glass screens that always come with the danger of shattering on most kinds of impact. Plus, this new breed of displays are more economically viable, as they could pull down the cost of everyday consumer durables by a good notch or two. And lastly, these flexible screens will make any and all gadgets more resilient, bendable, interactive and well just more useful to carry on the go.

Carl Taussig, the head of H.P.’s Information Surfaces Lab predicts that this technology will become pretty popular in another couple of years. But H.P is not done yet. The corporation is already looking for ways to improve its nascent flexible display by trying to get these flexible screens to be visible in both, low-light as well as bright sunlight.

HP fully flexible display

Should Hewlett–Packard succeed, two things will happen. Firstly, paper and plastic, now considered a necessary evil, will become redundant overnight, as so will many of their by-products. And secondly, in true sci-fi style you will get to see everything and anything wrapped in these flexible screens, including your favourite chocolate and wines bottles, that will show shifting images of the latest cereal and baby shampoo to hit the market.

Via NYTimes