Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1993 22:55:29 -0600 
From: cbrinson@nwu.edu (L.C. Brinson)
Subject: [*] nsf flat-panel display pr 

This is an old press release from NSF, but one that I didn't see appear on
the virtual pages of info-mac.  Here it is now.

Warren Kibbe    cbrinson@nwu.edu        GEnie: W.Kibbe  AOL: WAKibbe

Title  : RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH FOR FLAT-PANEL DISPLAY DEVICES ANNOUNCED
Type   : Press Release
NSF Org: OD / LPA
Date   : November 30, 1992
File   : pr92102

Mary Hanson                                     November 30, 1992
(202) 357-9498                                      NSF PR 92-102

              RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH FOR FLAT-PANEL
                    DISPLAY DEVICES ANNOUNCED

     A recent research breakthrough in reflective, front-lit
displays promises to lead to significant and noticable
improvements in laptop computers and other flat-panel display
devices.

     The prototype liquid crystal display which may replace
today's more bulky and power hungry back-lit displays was
invented by scientists from Ohio's Science and Technology Center
(STC) and the Liquid Crystal Institute.  The National Science
Foundation (NSF) established the STC program in 1987 as a means
to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness by encouraging
partnerships between the basicascience programs of academia and
industry.  Ohio's STC is one of 25 nationwide, and is located at
Kent State University.

     Like each of the STCs, the one in Ohio was created with a
specific goal in mind; to pursue liquid crystalline research.
The new technology is the result of collaboration by several
scientists working together at Kent State.  It has already
attracted the strong attention of the multibillion dollar display
industry, which anticipates smaller, lighter and more energy
efficient lap top computers and other portable display products
producing remarkably sharp images which can be viewed easily even
in bright sunlight.

     According to Dr. J. William Doane, one of the inventors of
the liquid crystal display, the key to the new technology is that
it does not require back lights.  "Back lights are bulky and
power hungry, draining most of the power from the batteries in
devices like lap top computers," he said.  "Eliminating the need
(for back lights) means a device can run substantially longer and
will be lighter in weight."   Another feature exclusive to the
new technology is that it has full memory; an image will remain
on the screen indefinitely without needing to be "kept alive"
electronically.

     The new material -- named "Polymer-Stabilized Cholesteric
Textures" -- is suitable for use in any flexible plastic display,
from computer screens to signs of every size.  Plastic displays
would be lighter and thus more portable than current liquid
crystal, flat-panel displays, which are made on heavier and
breakable glass.

     Patents have been filed for the new liquid-crystal
technology, which was invented by Drs. Deng-ke Yang and L.C.
Chien, both senior research fellows at the Liquid Crystal
Institute, in collaboration with Doane.

     "Clearly a promising new direction for future flat-panel
display technologies has emerged" from the institute, said Bill
Brinkman, executive director of the Research and Physics Division
at AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, N.J.  "While raising
interesting fundamental questions for basic research, Kent State
University's prototype panel . . . has many features we want to
see in future display technologies that are particularly suitable
for portable applications -- light and robust, low power
consumption, and cheaper to manufacture."

     Dr. William Harris, the NSF assistant director responsible
for the Ohio center, said the recent breakthrough demonstrates
how society can benefit when a partnership involving academia,
the state, and the private sector is successful.  "The
achievements by the scientists and students in this STC are
first-rate and indicate the importance of interdisciplinary
approaches to modern science as well as potential long-term
benefits to the nation and to Ohio," said Harris, head of the
Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate at NSF.  "When we
are able to encourage cooperation between university research
teams and industry, we are providing a unique training ground for
future scientists and engineers -- the undergraduate and graduate
students."

     Harris added that, in addition to training future leaders,
such cooperative efforts can also directly benefit industry.
"When breakthroughs of particular importance (such as the liquid
crystal display) are made, the NSF-supported activity contributes
to the marketplace because the result has the potential to
generate technical employment in the private sector."

                              -end-