3D display does not require power

LCD liquid crystal displays are being used very well in today's technology devices, from very small devices to giant TV screens. Like most other technologies, the LCD monitor needs power to operate.

However, scientists at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have successfully researched an ultra-thin LCD panel that can not only display 3D images, but also power.

For conventional LCD monitors, each pixel consists of a layer of molecules bonded between two transparent electrodes and a set of polarizing filter pairs. When the current passes through the two transparent electrodes, the liquid crystals in the polarizing filter will change the light interacting with it (possibly a backlit screen like an LCD TV). From there each pixel will appear a color and create an overall picture.

In the new LCD, the electrodes were completely removed, making it much thinner. Images are created on the screen using the flash. This light goes through polarized glasses with pre-arranged liquid crystals without the use of electrical energy, and displays images on the screen.

Thus the new LCD only needs power to turn on the flash and then can maintain the image without the need for more power. So this screen is especially useful in reading devices, advertising with static image display.

Not only that, the team added a prototype filter to display 3D images. With intelligent polarization filters, scientists can create the illusion of 3D images. By dividing the image into three distinct areas, in which a light left 45 degrees to the left and one light to the right 45 degrees, a portion of the light remained. This directional light passes through the polarizing filter and produces two images corresponding to the left eye and right eye, thus simulating 3D images.

Currently the prototype can only display black and white images, besides the refresh rate of the image is not enough to display the video. However, scientists believe that their LCDs in the future will be capable of displaying both video and new colors. Promises can replace the current popular LCD.

References: Gizmag