Electronic paper

http://www.pcworld.com/article/152850/article.html?tk=nl_dnxnws


NEC will later this week unveil new electronic paper displays that are said
to offer higher visibility than newspapers.


The screens were developed by its NEC LCD Technologies subsidiary and are
the equivalent size to A3 (297 millimeters by 420mm) and A4 (210mm by
297mm) sheets of paper, NEC said Monday. They'll be unveiled at the FPD
International exhibition that gets underway in Japan on Wednesday.


Based on the microcapsule electrophoresis system developed by U.S.-company
E-Ink, the screens include an NEC-developed TFT (thin-film transistor)
active matrix that allows for a 16-step grey scale rather than just
monochrome.


Electronic paper is often lauded for its high contrast that makes it appear
close to that of real paper. It also boasts low power consumption because
electricity is only required when the screen is refreshed and the image
changed. At other times the image remains without power being required.


Under development for many years, the technology is now being used in
commercially available displays such as those in Amazon.com's Kindle e-book
reader, Motorola's F3 cell phone and numerous in-store advertising
displays. Most recently the technology gained attention when it was
integrated into the cover of an issue of "Vanity Fair" magazine in the U.S.


FPD International will be held from Wednesday to Friday at the Pacifico
Yokohama exhibition center in Yokohama, Japan.