Samsung Electronics Demonstrates First Color, Large Scale EPD E-paper

Samsung Electronics demonstrated the world's first carbon nanotube-based color active matrix electrophoretic display (EPD) e-paper last month.

The e-paper device which is an ongoing joint development between Samsung Electronics and Unidym uses a carbon nanotube (CNT) transparent electrode developed by Unidym and has a 14.3" format display.

Developed first by the Japanese a carbon nanotube is over 10,000 times thinner than a human hair and exhibit unique thermal and electrical conductive capabilities. They are even being billed as a wire strong enough to connect a satellite to the Earth.

In May this year Samsung demonstrated the world's first 2.3 inch black and white active matrix EPD made with carbon nanotubes, but this is the first color large scale EPD e-paper device, in an A4 format claim Unidym's CEO and President Arthur Swift.

The researchers showed that the CNT materials where able to demonstrate conductivity comparable to the incumbent ITO technology, uniformity over large areas in films, and compatibility with different display technologies and fabrication processes.

EPD's offer inherent advantages over traditional flat panel displays due to their low power consumption and bright light readability, making them well suited for handheld and mobile applications. Since they can be produced on thin, flexible substrates, EPD's also are ideally suited for use in e-paper applications. Unlike conventional flat panel displays, EPD's rely on reflected light, and can retain text or images without constant refreshing, thereby dramatically reducing power consumption.