USC develops flexible, transparent TFT prototype for high-tech temporary tattoos

USC researchers have demonstrated a low-temperature (and therefore relatively inexpensive, apparently) process for printing transparent TFTs on flexible material able to bend up to 120 degrees which allows for embedding LED to build see-through displays. The prototype disc shown above is 5 inches in diameter and contains around 20,000 nanotube transistors. The researchers suggest the technology could be used for e-paper, smart tags, and artificial skin, as well as an affordable heads-up display that could be put into car windshields. Our suggestion? Couple it with transparent playing cards for the ultimate poker-cheating experience.

[Via OLED-Display]

[Dannyboy @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:21AM]

Yeah but Does it play...

LOL only joking

[OneLove @ Dec 22nd 2008 12:46PM]

They made TFT bubbles?

[dannyboy @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:24AM]

Ps why is it ALWAYS the Asians

[pavlindrom @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:25AM]

Because they actually exercise thinking outside the box?

[xboxsux1986 @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:08AM]

because they have awesome final fantasy haircuts!

[Dannyboy @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:38AM]

Low ranked? Why?

It is always the Asians

[BigD145 @ Dec 22nd 2008 2:31PM]

Because they push out more engineers than anyone else.

[Shea @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:16AM]

Oops, asians accidentally the population.

[Simon @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:25AM]

Sounds interesting, but show us that display in action. A transparent disc doesn't realy impress me much, I want to see something displayed on it ... If it doesn't need a big ass control unit to actually work this might be huge ...

[Mobius_1 @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:30AM]

Low temperature? "Made in North Pole" kind of low temperature? :P

[Shinigami @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:45AM]

"Made without the help of a nuclear reactor" kind of cold.

[Grindboy @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:35AM]

How flexible are touchscreen films at the moment? Combined they could lead to some really futuristic looking tech.

[FILA @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:40AM]

I want my skin to light up. Put it in me!!!

[Mike @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:44AM]

That's what she said.

[Glenn @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:39AM]

Mike, that there was the best use of a TWSS I have ever seen. +127 To you.

[Crayola @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:40AM]

The low temperature doesn't immediately translate cheapness, it means the substrate and method of lithography can be more accommodating, like plastic substrate or by inkjet printing.

[Oli D @ Dec 22nd 2008 12:02PM]

thats what... she said?

[Glenn @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:40AM]

The +127 i gave Mike came out of your pocket, Oli D

[deyanimay @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:49AM]

Are these the same two guys who were singing backstreet boys?

[dale1v @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:09AM]

i want a computer monitor made entirely of glass, ala minority report

[Bryan Thornsberry @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:21AM]

do you really?

[John @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:34AM]

What? No Apple or iPhone reference? This isn't a real Engadget post.

Let me help. "The prototype disc shown above is 5 inches in diameter and contains around 20,000 nanotube transistors. Which is about 20,000 more nanotubes than found in the iPhone."

Now, it is worthy of posting on Engadget.

[andy @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:58AM]

high rank you for being accurate and true... love it.

[superhobo @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:11AM]

Good observation, sir.

[sam @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:59AM]

These look like 12 year olds...

[kastonie @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:13AM]

was i the only person thinking high tech tramp stamp?

[dj-kenpo @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:35AM]

fuck all that.

I want it on my windows so I can wake up tony stark iron man style with displays on my windows overlooking the beach

[Tejas Padekar @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:40AM]

Go, Trojans!

That seriously sounds like some good stuff! HUDs in cars, planes, Minority Report style viewscreens... this could be great!

[xconan @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:14PM]

hopefully sc nabs the rose bowl game against penn state with a large spread...

[Oli D @ Dec 22nd 2008 12:04PM]

I want it on the bottom of my pint glass, so when my friends tell me that the answer isn't down there, i can show them that it literally is.

[Ross Miller @ Dec 22nd 2008 1:35PM]

Why not just paint the number 42 on the bottom of the glass and save yourself the trouble?

[Gar @ Dec 22nd 2008 12:33PM]

Or cover yourself, display what's behind you on it and become invisible.

[tha-don @ Dec 22nd 2008 1:25PM]

i'd make [censored] magazines with movies instead of pictures.

[ED @ Dec 22nd 2008 5:37PM]

Self camouflaging android skin?

[ConceptVBS @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:19PM]

Asians represent!!

[keland44 @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:06PM]

this would be great for a car tinting could change the kinda tint that you want based on the sunlight that you encounter be very nice if implemented

[rushwal @ Dec 24th 2008 12:05AM]

Anyone up for a game of Sabacc?