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LG has
announced the release of two new paper-thin TV panels, with one that is so
flexible it can be rolled into a 3cm diameter tube.
The company
stated it is confident it will produce a 60in (152cm) Ultra HD rollable TV by
2017.
LG unveiled
one of its first flexible TVs at CES - a global consumer electronics and
technology trade show - earlier this year.
Experts say
flexible screens could see TVs used in more creative ways.
 |
| The screens are so flexible, they can be rolled into tight cylinders |
The new
flexible panel has a resolution of 1,200x810, which is left undistorted even
after it has been rolled into a 3cm cylinder.
LG says the
flexibility was achieved thanks to using a backplane made of "high
molecular substance-based polyimide film" instead of plastic.
The second
panel is transparent and is said to greatly surpass earlier models, with the
company boasting of a significant reduction in hazy images and a 30% increase
in transmittance, which is responsible for the screen's transparent effect.
The company
has claimed its new screens prove they are on track for much larger, Ultra
HD-capable flexible screens in the near future, asserting they are
"confident" they can deliver a 60in rollable panel by 2017.
 |
| The new transparent display has apparently reduced haze by "adopting the company's transparent pixel design technology". |
"Flexible
screens are an exciting prospect. First off, they're far more durable than
conventional screens, meaning that we can expect to see bigger, better screens
in, for example, aeroplanes," said Stephen Graves, online deputy editor at
Stuff.tv.
"They
also create the potential for some completely new gadget designs. Imagine a
10in (25cm) iPad that you can fold out into a 16in (40cm) screen - effectively
doubling up as a small desktop computer or TV monitor."
Jeremy White, product editor of Wired magazine said that these new screens would be
ideal for retail or exhibition display.
"Being
able to curve screens around complex retail display units or using the
transparency to have the screen envelop the product itself on a stand would
certainly be eye-catching.
"And
of course this is all leading to flexible tablets as well, which will possibly
be the most useful application of flexible screens to the average
consumer."
 |
| Curved TVs, such as Samsung's latest 4K curved LED TV, are becoming more common. |
Evan
Kypreos, editor of TrustedReviews, said that rollable TVs could be produced by
2017 but warned they'd cost far too much for the average consumer.
"If
you've got the cash to splash then a rollable TV could create an experience
similar to owning a projector, where you can easily hide away the screen when
not in use, but without the noise and complexity of an actual projector.
"Instead
of 60in-plus TV screens I think the more interesting application of this tech
could be in wearables. Curved screen smartwatches with a whole wrist screen are
an obvious example."
Earlier
this year LG unveiled a 77in flexible 4K OLED TV with a controllable curve,
however this is not yet available and it is not known when it is likely to go
on sale.
 |
| These images produced by the researchers were 0.07mm across - smaller than the width of human hair |
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