Nanosys gets flexible screen patents

Nanotechnology specialist Nanosys has received a patent for creating transistors made of nanowires or nanotubes that are suited for flexible screens and RFID tags.

Flexible screens have been around as long as the e-book and personalized web service. That is to say, a long time without a lot of positive results. Nonetheless, the tide appears to be changing. Intel and Philips invested in start-up E Ink, a flexible screen specialist. Portability is a big buzzword with consumers too. (Flexible materials with embedded semiconductors are also being proposed as a way to harness solar energy.)

Nanosys is one of the big names in the emerging field of nanotechnology. But it had to yank its IPO last year. Something about $3.1 million in revenue, larger losses and 34 employees skittered Wall Street.