Researchers have developed a new form of light-emitting crystals, known as quantum dots, Which can be used to produce ultra-thin televisions.
The tiny crystals, Which are 100 000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, can be printed onto flexible plastic sheets to produce a paper-thin display that can be easily carried around, or even onto wallpaper to create giant room-size screens.
The scientists hope the first quantum dot televisions - flat-screen TVs like current, but with improved color and thinner displays - will be available in shops by the end of next year. A flexible version is expected to take at least three years to reach the market.
Michael Edelman, chief executive of Nanoco, a spin out company set up by the scientists behind the technology at Manchester University, said: "We are working with some major Asian electronics companies The first products we are expecting to come to market using quantum dots. will be the next generation of flat-screen televisions.
"The real advantage provided by quantum dots, however, is that they can be printed on to a plastic sheet that can rolled up It is likely these will be small personal devices to begin with.
The tiny crystals, Which are 100 000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, can be printed onto flexible plastic sheets to produce a paper-thin display that can be easily carried around, or even onto wallpaper to create giant room-size screens.
The scientists hope the first quantum dot televisions - flat-screen TVs like current, but with improved color and thinner displays - will be available in shops by the end of next year. A flexible version is expected to take at least three years to reach the market.
Michael Edelman, chief executive of Nanoco, a spin out company set up by the scientists behind the technology at Manchester University, said: "We are working with some major Asian electronics companies The first products we are expecting to come to market using quantum dots. will be the next generation of flat-screen televisions.
"The real advantage provided by quantum dots, however, is that they can be printed on to a plastic sheet that can rolled up It is likely these will be small personal devices to begin with.
