In addition to the overall advantages of using OLED technology, some special types of OLEDs support applications not possible with CRT or LCD technology. Please describe FOLEDS, TOLEDS, and IMODS.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Special types of OLEDs also support applications not possible with CRT or LCD technology. For instance, flexible OLED (FOLED) displays are built on flexible surfaces, such as plastic or metallic foil, and so they can roll up when not in use. Flexible screens may also be used for integrating displays on military uniform sleeves, as well as allowing retractable wall-mounted large screen displays. Transparent OLED (TOLED) displays are transparent. The portion of the display that does not currently have an image displayed (and the entire display device when it is off) is nearly as transparent as glass, so the user can see through the screen. TOLEDs open up the possibility of displays on home windows, car windshields, helmet face shields, and other transparent items.     Another emerging flatpanel display technology is interferometric modulator (IMOD) displays. Designed initially for mobile phones and other portable devices, IMOD displays use external light, such as from the sun or artificial light inside a building, to display images so images are bright and clear even in direct sunlight (refer again to Figure 8-7). And, because backlighting isn’t used, power consumption is much less than what is needed for LCD displays. In fact, similar to the e-paper discussed in the Chapter 7 Inside the Industry box, devices using IMOD displays use no power unless the image changes, which means they can remain on at all times without draining the device battery. Beginning to be used with mobile devices, IMODs could eventually be used for outdoor television screens, large digital signs, and other outdoor display devices that normally consume a great deal of power.