Sony unveiled a monochromatic electronic paper screen

Sony has unveiled a prototype of a flexible, monochrome electronic screen at an annual merchant conference in Japan .

Typically, electronic paper screens use glass substrates, but Sony has developed a flexible backing to help their screens bend.

Sony electronic paper. ( Source: Sonyinsider )

The company also demonstrated its ability to resist crumbling of new screens when it fell to the ground as well as the ability to curl.

Another advantage of the flexible substrate is that it is relatively light, opening up a wide range of applications in devices such as Sony's future e-reader.

However, at the show on September 16, the Japanese electronics company did not provide any further details about whether they would spread their technology to the market.

Last month, LG also announced its participation in the electronic paper display market by developing a 9.7-inch hard-ed e-paper screen ready to "go out."

The Korean group also plans to launch a flexible plastic e-paper screen. Both types of screens are expected to be integrated into unpublished products before the end of 2010.