Paper battery/supercapacitor

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed thin, flexible energy storage devices consisting of more than 90 percent cellulose. The paper is infused with aligned carbon nanotubes (electrodes), and an electrolyte (e.g. an ionic liquid). The technology allows to fabricate batteries, supercapacitors, or devices which combine both functions.

According to the press release, the devices can [...]

NanoMarkets: bright future for OLEDs

According to a new report by NanoMarkets,

the market for OLEDs used in displays and lighting applications is expected to reach $10.9 billion ($US) by 2012 and grow to $15.5 billion by the year 2014.

The report discusses the use of OLEDs for mobile devices, flexible/rollable displays, and lighting applications.
[via CNET news]

Personal Display Glasses using MicroEmissive Displays

MicroEmissive Displays (makers of P-OLED microdisplays) announced that

the PDG – Personal Display Glasses, the world’s first mobile TV viewing experience employing the MDDI standard, is on display at 3GSM 2007 in Barcelona from 12 – 15th February.

The PDG is the most advanced integrated personal display and mobile phone solution on the market. The PDG has [...]

MicroEmissive Displays: production plant and first order

According to their press release, MicroEmissive Displays (MED, Edinburgh, UK)

will start commissioning and qualification of its new production plant in the Fraunhofer IPMS in Dresden early in 2007. The move comes following the on-time handover of the purpose built cleanroom and delivery of the tool set from ANS Korea.

The 350 m2 purpose built cleanroom is [...]

Motorola mobile phone with e-ink display

Motorola has started selling the low-cost ‘MOTOFONE’ in India. It is the first mobile phone to feature an electrophoretic (in this case supplied by e-ink) display. It appears to be a segmented (passive matrix) display, reminiscent of LCD displays on calculators and watches.

e-newspaper

The New York times has an article (free registration required) on newspapers going electronic. The Belgian newspaper “De Tijd” is currently running a trial (Mobile Read article) with the iRex iLiad Reader. [via Engadget]

Carbon Nanotube Ultracapacitors

Supercapacitors or ultracapacitors use electrodes with very high surface area (e.g. porous activated carbon) and are currently used in niche application such as hybrid vehicles.
Among the advantages over electrochemical batteries are the high charge/discharge rate and stability. However, energy densities are relatively low compared to traditional batteries.

New electrode materials with increased surface area have the [...]

E Ink ebook readers round two: Sony Reader vs. iRex Iliad

MobileRead compares the specs of the recently announced iRex Iliad (December 2005) and the Sony Reader (January 2006, successor to the Librie):

Dimensions:
Sony: 6.9″ by 4.9″ by .5″
iRex: 6.1″ by 8.5″ by .63″

Weight:
Sony: 8.8 ounces
iRex: 13.7 ounces

Screen:
Sony: 6-inch SVGA 800X600 4 grey scales (same like the Sony Librie)
iRex: 8.1-inch XGA 1024×768 16 grey scales

Internal memory:
Sony: ? [...]

AU Optronics: 270ppi AMOLED with shadow masking

AU Optronics Eyeing the Growing Handset Market:

Its no secret that the Shadow Masking Process, widely used today, for OLED production has its resolution limitations. The highest resolution achieved by the process is around 170ppi. AUO has overcome this industry hurdle and revolutionized a pixel design that progresses the resolution of OLED to reach VGA grade [...]

IBM OLED Linux wristwatch

Sporting an impressive 640×480 (741 dpi) resolution, this watch looks like one of the more usable ultra-mobile computing gadgets. Of course, this is only a prototype and could benefit from further miniaturization. An article at ZDNet points out that,

The pixels are so small that sprinkling them judiciously gives the illusion of the ability to show [...]