TRN's Making The Future Report

Updated October 2004
Computer Displays: Roll Up, Paint On and Shrink Down
39 pages

This report examines the current state of computer display technology, organizes key issues and puts them in context, and succinctly explains how the technology works.

The relatively small windows we use as our main means of interaction with computers fall far short of the high-contrast, nuanced, three-dimensional, 360 degree view the real world offers.

Researchers are working to close the gap by making larger, thinner, more flexible flat-panel displays; improving picture brightness, sharpness and contrast; making more realistic three-dimensional displays; and producing foldable electronic paper.

Researchers are also looking for cheaper ways to produce screens. In the not-so-distant future this research could enable enable high-quality video on surfaces as diverse as books, T-shirts, and sides of buildings. Other research efforts are looking to bring to the real world a couple of future technologies previewed in movie special effects: transparent screens a la Minority Report and holographic video like that seen in Star Wars.

The report includes an executive summary, a list of 13 developments to look for as these cutting-edge technologies take shape, and a section of 20 researchers to watch, including links to their Web pages. It also includes a quick tour of 35 recent developments in six areas and a section of 26 in-depth news stories from TRN.

The stories are organized into seven categories: components, plastic electronics, display performance, electronic paper, assembly processes, three-dimensional technologies and display types.

TRN's Making the Future reports contain live links, and can be read on a computer, printed and archived.

Buy the the Computer Displays report for $89.

. You will receive download instructions via email.

Report Sections
Executive Summary: 250 words Main Report: 4,065 words How It Works: 1,015 words In-Depth Stories: 26 stories, including 22 images
Table of Contents: Main Report Moving the box outside the box Cheaper, smaller, transparent Light-emitting diodes Reaching for Minority Report Improving the contrast Sharpening the image Flat-panel evolution Chips and nanotubes Microscopic machinery He took his screen out of his pocket and unfolded it... Paint-on screens Screens that construct themselves Making 3D deeper, wider and brighter Lose the glasses Right there in the room with you Look Ma, no screen Putting it altogether A bigger, brighter, cheaper future	How It Works Pixels Using mechanics Electronic ink In-Depth Story Categories Components Plastic electronics Display performance Electronic paper Assembly processes Three-dimensional technologies Display types

Take a look at all available Making the Future reports.

View a four-page sample of the Making the Future report (pdf).

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