Scientists at the University of Oxford have discovered new display technology that can be used to make bright, high-resolution screens while hardly drawing any power.
Oxford is bullish enough on the technology that it formed a new company, called Bodle Technologies, to commercialize the discovery. According to Bodle, its “smart material” is able to filter, steer, or dim light by using electrical, optical, or mechanical switches.
Bodle says once the switch is flicked, the smart material uses almost no power.
“This technology is capable of providing vivid colour displays which appear similar to paper, yet with very high resolution,” said Professor Harish Bhaskaran. “It is also capable of rendering extremely high-resolution videos that can be seen in bright sunlight.”
The technology can also be used to create a glaze for glass panels, which can be used to control heat and light transmission into buildings. Bodle is in the process of filing patents, gathering capital, and speaking to potential manufacturing partners. The researchers did not say when they expect to be able to bring the advanced optoelectronic framework to market.
Improving the efficiency of smartphone screens could lead to dramatically improved battery life, as screens are what draw the most power.
