A scientist demonstrates a piece of flexible display made with stainless-steel foil.
(Credit: U.S. Army)The U.S. Army has committed to renewing its partnership and providing another $50 million to Arizona State University's flexible-display research facility, the university announced on Thursday.
That brings the Army's total investment since the Flexible Display Center (FDC) started in 2004 to $100 million.
The announcement comes in conjunction with a two-day event in Tempe, Ariz., near ASU, in which the U.S. Army and Flexible Display Center plan to showcase their progress to the public.
So why is the military so keen on flexible displays?
It's all about information and communications...and possibly profit.
A mock-up of a roll-out electronic map provides just one creative example of how flexible displays might be useful to the U.S. Army.
(Credit: U.S. Army)Flexible displays are paper-thin electronic screens that can be bent, mounted onto objects, and sewn into clothing. Soldiers could easily wear them on their sleeves or wrists, and use them to receive critical data in real time in the form of instructions, photos, or maps.
In addition, flexible displays can be made more durable than regular LCD screens, allowing them to get banged around in combat and still work. They also consume only a fraction of the power of LCDs.
That doesn't just make them good for the military; it also makes for cool tech products.
That commercial value is something the military, ASU, and its partners clearly have in mind.
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