Liquid and flexible fin displays prove to be more adaptable and energy-efficient compared to traditional LED screens.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Develops Revolutionary Flexible Displays

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have made a significant breakthrough in the field of flexible display technology. The team, led by mechanical engineer Sameh Tawfick, has developed a display that can change colors, transmit information, and even convey veiled messages via infrared radiation.

The new displays are an extension of the research on capillary-controlled robotic flapping fins. These fins, inspired by the morphing skins of animals like chameleons and octopuses, can be arranged in various orientations to create complex images, even along curved surfaces. Varying the volume of fluids within the pixels can change the directions in which the flaps flip, allowing for the creation of intricate movements such as the opening of a flower bloom.

One of the most exciting features of these displays is their ability to send two simultaneous signals: one visible to the human eye and another visible only with an infrared camera. This dual functionality opens up a world of possibilities for covert communication and interactive designs.

The control of the temperature of individual droplets in the displays allows for the creation of messages that can only be seen using an infrared device. Varying the temperature allows the pixels to communicate via infrared energy, adding another layer of complexity to the displays' capabilities.

These robotic flapping fins create switchable optical and infrared light multipixel displays that are 1,000 times more energy efficient than light-emitting devices. This energy efficiency, combined with the displays' flexibility and versatility, makes them a promising technology for future applications.

The researchers are currently focusing on understanding the science behind gravity's effect on droplets for their next application of the technology. They are also working to develop a manufacturing process that can enable the construction of large-scale textiles from carbon nanotubes.

The findings of this study were published in the journal Science Advances, adding to the growing body of knowledge in the field of flexible display technology. With their innovative approach and groundbreaking results, the team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is certainly paving the way for a future filled with flexible, energy-efficient, and versatile displays.

An everyday example of elasto-capillarity, the principle behind these displays, is what happens to our hair when we get in the shower. The behavior of the capillary-controlled robotic flapping fins mimics this natural phenomenon, demonstrating the practicality and relevance of this research.

The new device is an offshoot of Tawfick's study of the self-assembly of liquid-suspended carbon nanotubes into structures. This ongoing research promises even more exciting developments in the field of flexible display technology in the future.