OLEDs are Emerging As the Display Technology of Choice
With liquid crystal display (LCD) technology having reached a point of maturity from where there can only be evolutionary changes rather than revolutionary, the field is open to disruptive, cost-effective technologies. Some of these include organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), 3D and holographic displays, as well as multi-touch interfaces.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan finds that OLED and 3D holographic display technology likely to revolutionize the display arena in the coming years.
3D holography is a much- vaunted technology, since scalability issues do not limit it. Once perfected, it could be the most viable solution for terrain mapping, civil planning applications, and entertainment applications such as game consoles, cinema, and billboards. The medical industry can also benefit from 3D displays in surgical guidance equipment and areas such as radiation oncology.
OLEDs are ideal for smaller displays on space/power-critical portable applications such as mobile phones and mp3 players. This is because OLEDs draw far lesser power than LCDs and as they do not require backlighting, these displays can be made extremely thin.
Once OLEDs replace LCDs in the portable consumer electronic displays sector, they can try to forge a path in the larger display segment, provided they employ scalable manufacturing methods. Although OLED technology prices are not likely to drop anytime soon to match LCD displays, its advantages of higher viewing angles, thinner displays, and increased contrast, offers OLED the upper hand.
"OLEDs with their wide viewing angle, high contrast ratio, and absence of backlighting allow for the realization of ultra-slim displays," says Sharmishta S. "3D holography also has tremendous potential and along with OLEDs, is likely to revolutionize the display landscapes in the coming years."
Meanwhile, multitouch display interfaces offer multi-user, multi-input functionality and have been making waves for its simple interface. Applications for this technology range form infrastructure planning to navigation and mapping. This technology could also find applications as a table-top interface in a variety of locations like hotels, clubs, offices, and homes.
"Projection technology has also progressed a great deal with MEMS-based micro-mirrors," says Raj. "Developments are underway to miniaturize current projectors down to levels where they can be housed within mobile devices, thereby opening up new avenues in portable entertainment."
Posted to the site on 10th April 2008
