LCDs paint a bright future

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displays on anything (0,33 MB)   philips invests technology for ... (0,04 MB)   simple process makes flexible lcd's (0,20 MB)   Leica MZ12.5   video of the process of technology

This technology could lead to cheaper, larger, lighter and thinner displays that could be "painted" onto almost any surface or integrated into clothing. The new, flexible LCDs (liquid-crystal display) can be produced with a thickness of 150 micrometers on any substrate, even for example on plastic. The component consists of only one layer. A process called PES (photo-enforced stratification) forms the basis. PES is a two-step photo polymerisation process, which leads to the formation of micrometer-sized boxes, each one being filled with liquid crystal. The crucial step is the formation of liquid-crystal cells from a single layer of liquid, via a two-stage exposure to ultraviolet light. The liquid-crystal phase is made visible by an Leica MZ12.5 Stereomicroscope with Leica IC A video module and polarization.