Flexible Semi-Conformal Displays for Data Access in Military Field Operations

ABSTRACT: There are critical needs for the development of non-glass, ejection-safe digital display to replace printed paper maps and checklists on pilots"knees in tactical cockpits and enable a large display to be rolled up for stowage. Eclipse Energy Systems, Inc. (Eclipse) proposes a fast inorganic electrochromic display system manufactured on plastic, as a solution to this need. The Eclipse technology will provide a precious metal-free, soft, thin paper-like flexible display that has a fast color switching rate and is viewable under sunlight, for rapid data display in field operations in air, land or sea. Eclipse flexible displays will support quick data viewing in field operations, night flying or driving conditions, on aircraft windows, rolled up/out as needed, in pilot garments, such as on sleeves, leg pouches or even in goggles. Eclipse currently produces inorganic electrochromics and transparent flexible conductors for a number of applications. The combination of the two materials will allow for rapid implementation and demonstration of pixilated display devices. BENEFIT: The field of flexible display is moving forward with many application and device types. As we have seen in the past with computer and TV displays, many display technologies are very competitive at the prototype level. With flexible displays or ePaper the same is true. At the moment there are many flavors of technology that are looking at the flex display market. Because electrochromics are so low cost, easy to fabricate, and use low power with good memory, they have an opportunity to prevail in applications appropriate to their performance. According to Displaybank (2010), e-paper Display market is expected to show 46.9% annual average growth rate from 260 M$ in 2010 to 2.1 $B in 2015 and 7 B$ by 2020.