RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH FOR FLAT-PANEL DISPLAY DEVICES ANNOUNCED

A recent research breakthrough in reflective, front-lit displays promises
to lead to significant and noticable improvements in laptop computers and
other flat-panel display devices.

The prototype liquid crystal display which may replace today's more bulky
and power hungry back-lit displays was invented by scientists from Ohio's
Science and Technology Center (STC) and the Liquid Crystal Institute.  The
National Science Foundation (NSF) established the STC program in 1987 as a
means to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness by encouraging
partnerships between the basicascience programs of academia and industry. 
Ohio's STC is one of 25 nationwide, and is located at Kent State
University.

Like each of the STCs, the one in Ohio was created with a specific goal in
mind; to pursue liquid crystalline research. The new technology is the
result of collaboration by several scientists working together at Kent
State.  It has already attracted the strong attention of the multibillion
dollar display industry, which anticipates smaller, lighter and more
energy efficient lap top computers and other portable display products
producing remarkably sharp images which can be viewed easily even in
bright sunlight.

According to Dr. J. William Doane, one of the inventors of the liquid
crystal display, the key to the new technology is that it does not require
back lights.  "Back lights are bulky and power hungry, draining most of
the power from the batteries in devices like lap top computers," he said. 
"Eliminating the need (for back lights) means a device can run
substantially longer and will be lighter in weight."   Another feature
exclusive to the new technology is that it has full memory; an image will
remain on the screen indefinitely without needing to be "kept alive"
electronically.

The new material -- named "Polymer-Stabilized Cholesteric Textures" -- is
suitable for use in any flexible plastic display, from computer screens to
signs of every size.  Plastic displays would be lighter and thus more
portable than current liquid crystal, flat-panel displays, which are made
on heavier and breakable glass.

Patents have been filed for the new liquid-crystal technology, which was
invented by Drs. Deng-ke Yang and L.C. Chien, both senior research fellows
at the Liquid Crystal Institute, in collaboration with Doane.

"Clearly a promising new direction for future flat-panel display
technologies has emerged" from the institute, said Bill Brinkman,
executive director of the Research and Physics Division at AT&T Bell
Laboratories, Murray Hill, N.J.  "While raising interesting fundamental
questions for basic research, Kent State University's prototype panel . .
. has many features we want to see in future display technologies that are
particularly suitable for portable applications -- light and robust, low
power consumption, and cheaper to manufacture."

Dr. William Harris, the NSF assistant director responsible for the Ohio
center, said the recent breakthrough demonstrates how society can benefit
when a partnership involving academia, the state, and the private sector
is successful.  "The achievements by the scientists and students in this
STC are first-rate and indicate the importance of interdisciplinary
approaches to modern science as well as potential long-term benefits to
the nation and to Ohio," said Harris, head of the Mathematical and
Physical Sciences Directorate at NSF.  "When we are able to encourage
cooperation between university research teams and industry, we are
providing a unique training ground for future scientists and engineers --
the undergraduate and graduate students."

Harris added that, in addition to training future leaders, such cooperative
efforts can also directly benefit industry. "When breakthroughs of
particular importance (such as the liquid crystal display) are made, the
NSF-supported activity contributes to the marketplace because the result
has the potential to generate technical employment in the private
sector."

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