In the middle of the year, respected polymer scientists at the University of Akron published research results that could help to prevent smartphone displays from breaking so easily in the future. The team of scientists led by Dr. Yu Zhu has published its results in an article in the American Chemical Society's journal ACS Nano entitled "A Tough and High-Performance Transparent Electrode from a Scalable and Transfer-Free Method".
High-quality substitute for indium tin oxide (ITO)
In their scientific work, the researchers demonstrate how a transparent layer of electrodes on a polymer surface can be both extraordinarily resistant and flexible, withstanding repetitive "peeling and bending tests" with adhesive tape. Above all, the results could revolutionize the conventional touchscreen market, which currently still uses coatings made of indium tin oxide (ITO), which are too brittle, burst quickly and are associated with high manufacturing costs.
ITO replacement must be more cost-effective, transparent and flexible
For some time now, work has been underway to find a replacement for ITO that is more cost-effective, transparent and flexible. According to Dr. Yu Zhu from the research team at Akron University, the new film has the same transparency as ITO, but offers greater conductivity. Smartphones that will be equipped with this new type of flexible touchscreen in the future will then be more robust and unbreakable than before.
