Linköping University researchers have created a unique digital display screen. They enabled LEDs to react to touch, light, fingerprints, and the user’s pulse, without the need for any additional sensors. The potential results could be a new generation of displays for our electronics devices. Their work is published in Nature Electronics.
Currently, LCD and OLED screens on the market can only display information. Sensors are required to create multi-function displays that detect touch, fingerprints, or changing lighting conditions. The scientists, in this case, used LEDs made of a crystalline material called perovskite, which has excellent light absorption and emission properties. The device can also be charged through the screen thanks to the perovskites’ ability to act as solar cells.
An example is a smartwatch screen. During the screen’s off-time, instead of displaying information, it can harvest light to charge the watch, significantly extending the time between charges.
The researchers at Linköping University have developed the screens with perovskite LEDs in all three colors, paving the way for a screen that displays all colors within the visible light spectrum.
Challenges remain. For example, the service life of perovskite LEDs needs to be improved from its current few hours before the material becomes unstable, and the LEDs go out.
