We could see the next generation of gadgets become mainstream much quicker than we thought”
A study, published today in Nature’s Scientific Reports, identifies a new technology which could see flexible electronics such as roll-up tablet computers, widely available in the near future. So far, this area of electronic design has been hampered by unreliability and complexity of production.
Researchers from the University of Surrey worked together with scientists from Philips to further develop the ‘Source-Gated-Transistor’ (SGT) – a simple circuit component invented jointly by the teams.
Previously, they found that the component could be applied to many electronic designs of an analog nature, and display screens. Through this current study, researchers have now shown that SGTs can also be applied to next-generation digital circuits.
SGTs control the electric current just as it enters a semiconductor, which decreases the odds of circuit malfunction, improves energy efficiency and keeps fabrication costs to a minimum. These properties make SGTs ideal for next-generation electronic devices, and could enable digital technologies to be incorporated into those built using flexible plastics or clothing textiles.
Such technologies may include ultra-lightweight and flexible gadgets which can be rolled up to save space when not in use, smart plasters, which, thinner than a human hair, can wirelessly monitor the health of the wearer, low-cost electronic shopping tags for instant checkout without the need for queuing, and disaster prediction sensors, used on buildings in regions that are at high risk of natural disasters.
“These technologies involve thin plastic sheets of electronic circuits, similar to sheets of paper, but embedded with smart technologies. Until now, such technologies could only be produced reliably in small quantities, and that confined them to the research lab. However, with SGTs we have shown we can achieve some characteristics needed to make these technologies viable, without increasing the complexity or cost of the design.” said lead researcher Dr Radu Sporea, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow at the Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey.
Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the ATI and a co-author of the work, said, “This work is a classic example of academia working closely with industry for over two decades to perfect a concept which has wide-reaching applications across a variety of technologies. Whilst SGTs can be applied to mainstream materials such as silicon, used widely in the production of current consumer devices, it is the potential to apply them to new materials such graphene that makes this research so crucial.”
“By making these incredible devices less complex and implicitly very affordable, we could see the next generation of gadgets become mainstream much quicker than we thought,” Dr Sporea concluded.
The Latest on: Roll-up Digital Screens
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Roll-up Digital Screens” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Roll-up Digital Screens
- 'Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble' Reveals Its Colorful Cast of Characters, Customization Options - Screens & Traileron May 16, 2024 at 9:30 am
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is an all-new Super Monkey Ball game featuring 200 all-new stages and 16-player online battles!
- Apple Is Bringing Eye Tracking, Vocal Shortcuts, Music Haptics to the iPhoneon May 15, 2024 at 7:00 am
In the coming months, Apple will introduce Eye Tracking to iPhone and iPad. This feature will allow you to control Apple using just your eyes, which includes navigating apps and selecting various ...
- Online Hub Podcast-to-Screen Connects Audiovisual Producers With New Media IPon May 14, 2024 at 5:53 pm
International podcast network Paradiso Media has introduced Podcast to Screen, an online hub meant ... Launching with more than 200 IPs on offer, the digital database offers a curated catalogue ...
- Best projector deals: Replace your TV with a big screen from $80on May 9, 2024 at 4:59 pm
It’s equipped with a cooling system that prevents its bulb from overheating, extending its life to up to 55,000 hours of ... with all of the popular digital assistants. Your home theater will ...
- iPad Air 2024 vs iPad Air M1: Is the latest iPad worth picking up over its predecessor?on May 8, 2024 at 12:15 pm
Apple CEO Tim Cook says the May 2024 refresh of the iPad was the biggest the series has seen to date. You might not get that sense if you only look at the iPad Air range, though. While we get a new 13 ...
- Apple Pencil Pro hands-on: Squeeze, Roll, Hover — oh my!on May 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
This perk has opened up to developers, so you'll enjoy using the fun new gesture with other apps, opening a whole new world of Apple Pencil Pro fun. The barrel roll was my favorite feature to ...
- Pull Up Success: How Singapore’s Pull Up Banners Are Changing the Marketing Gameon May 6, 2024 at 11:33 am
Pull up banners Singapore style are not just another marketing tool; they are a game changer in the vibrant landscape of local advertising. Offering unparalleled portability and flexibility, these ...
- Anti-blue light glasses: effective protection in the digital ageon May 5, 2024 at 11:58 pm
Hongkong - May 5, 2024 — In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, digital screens are ubiquitous in our daily lives. From working on a computer to watching TV, from browsing on a ...
- Blue Screen of Death: What it means and what to do if you get oneon May 3, 2024 at 8:49 am
The Blue Screen of Death, or BSOD, is a common Windows error faced by many people over the years. Here's what to do if this appears on your screen.
- Watch: King and Queen receive first vegan Coronation Rollon May 2, 2024 at 3:00 pm
It also provides, for the first time, an account of the anointing that took place behind a screen ... The roll was handwritten by calligrapher Stephanie Gill and decorated by heraldic artist Timothy ...
via Bing News