Flat-Screen Solid-State TV Display May Be The Future

Toronto, Canada-based Westaim Advanced Display Technologies (WADT) has developed a working prototype of a solid-stage display (SSD).At recent science and engineering symposia in San Jose, California and Toronto, WADT successfully demonstrated a working 8.5-inch laboratory prototype just a few millimeters thick with TV-like color and gray scale, full-motion video response 20 times faster than a liquid crystal display and cathode ray tube (CRT)-comparable viewing angles.A 17-inch prototype is expected before the end of the year with a 34-inch prototype slated for 2000. Sets from 25-50 inches are expected to hit the retail market by 2004 for $750 to $3,000.In WADTís patented SSD technology there is no liquid as with LCDs, no gas as with plasma mechanisms, no vacuum as with the CRT ñ only solid films. Basically, itís a sandwich with an electrical conductor on the top and bottom. Between those layers are an insulating layer and a semiconductor layer. When a voltage is applied between the two conductors, the semiconductor layer emits light. Simply put, itís a printed circuit board that emits light.WADT is targeting multi-markets and plans to build reliable, rugged, lightweight displays for airline seatback entertainment, oscilloscopes, medical instruments, navigation systems, and of course, large-screen flat receiver/monitor video displays for the home.