LG Unveils Stretchable Screen That Expands Up to 50% at Science Park
Find out where LG's latest screen was unveiled
LG exited the smartphone market in 2021, yet the tech giant continues to manufacture electronic components. At the LG Science Park in South Korea, the company unveiled a functional prototype of its new stretchable screen. LG claims that this new display technology, compared to the prototype presented in 2022, can expand by 50 percent and endure up to 10,000 stretches without issues.
The latest display from LG boasts new features
The new display, known as free-form displays, can be altered into various shapes, including stretching, folding, or twisting. The prototype features a 12-inch screen that can be extended to 18 inches with a pixel density of 100ppi. Although this may appear to be a relatively high pixel density, most contemporary smartphones, even affordable ones, have a pixel density of approximately 300ppi.
What comments did LG make regarding their latest technology?
In a blog post on the LG Display website, the company mentioned that they employed a 'special silicone substrate used in contact lenses' along with a micro-LED light source to preserve image quality across different temperatures.
What are the possible locations for using the new screen?
For those curious, flexible screens are not only lightweight and slim, but they can also be attached to irregular surfaces such as clothing or skin, or used in wearable devices. The company also showcased a curved vehicle display that can be operated by hand, along with a screen affixed to a firefighter's suit to provide real-time information in another application.
We are unlikely to see these screens available in the market anytime soon.
Currently, this is merely a prototype, and it is very improbable that stretchable screens will be incorporated into smartphones and wearables soon. Nonetheless, it represents a significant engineering milestone, offering a preview of the future of display technology.