While we continue to wait for battery technology to be revolutionized , we can hardly complain about screens, as in recent years we've had some very interesting new additions to the sector. Who would have thought years ago that we could have a smartphone with curved sides like the Galaxy S7 edge?
Researchers in South Korea have now created an OLED panel that can be worn like clothing . The technology was announced last week by research teams from KAIST, a Korean university, and materials manufacturer Kolon Glotech.
Flexible OLED panels have been developed before, but they have been limited by their durability . OLED panels can break easily, and because the materials are hard and tend to expand when heated, ensuring they remain intact is quite difficult.
Researchers at KAIST and Kolon Glotech have discovered a way to avoid these durability problems with their new technology, which keeps the OLED panel glued to a glass-like material that retains the flexibility of the materials.
Choi Kyun-chul , leader of the KAIST team, has a few words:
Textile OLEDs, which are more flexible than plastic and have greater resistance, are expected to contribute to the development of wearable displays.
OLEDs manufactured using this process have lifespans of over 1.000 hours of use or 3.500 hours in standby mode. Modern OLED television panels, when purchased, can last up to 60.000–70.000 hours.
What is unknown is when this technology could be implemented for commercial solutions , so we will have to wait a while before we can wear a jacket with a built-in screen in the sleeve.