Bubbling up to a bigger picture.Bubbling up to a bigger picture The displays that generally show up in digital watches or tiny TV sets usually consist of thin liquid-crystal films sandwiched between transparent plates. This system, however, requires a polarizing filter for viewing and is difficult to use for large screens. A new display technology overcomes these difficulties by replacing the liquid-crystal sandwich with a thin, clear plastic film loaded with liquid-crystal bubbles. Such a scheme makes possible large, flexible displays. J.W.Doane and his colleagues at Kent (Ohio) State University have shown that certain liquid-crystal substances can be embedded Inserted into. See embedded system. as microscopic spheres within sheets of plastic. The bubbles form spontaneously during polymerization polymerization Any process in which monomers combine chemically to produce a polymer. The monomer molecules—which in the polymer usually number from at least 100 to many thousands—may or may not all be the same. . These spheres normally scatter scat·ter v. 1. To cause to separate and go in different directions. 2. To separate and go in different directions; disperse. 3. To deflect radiation or particles. n. light in all directions so that the plastic film appears white. When an electric field is applied, the liquid-crystal molecules in the region align themselves, and scattering scattering In physics, the change in direction of motion of a particle because of a collision with another particle. The collision can occur between two charged particles; it need not involve direct physical contact. is reduced. These regions appear dark against a white background. Doane's report appears in the Jan. 27 APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS Applied Physics Letters is a weekly peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Institute of Physics devoted to the publication of new experimental and theoretical papers about applications of physics to science, engineering, and modern technology. . |
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