Better Displays With New Nanowire Film

Roland Piquepaille writes "A Harvard University team has successfully applied a film of nanowires on glass and plastic. This might lead to better and flexible displays or wearable computers, says the American Chemical Society, in "Nanowire film brings cheaper, faster electronics a step closer." "By using a 'bottom-up' approach pioneered by our group, which involves assembly of pre-formed nanoscale building blocks into functional devices, we can apply a film of nanowires to glass or plastics long after growth, and do so at room temperature," says Charles M. Lieber, professor of chemistry at Harvard. The researchers think that the first applications will be improved smart cards or LCD displays. But they also have a vision for the next decade. "One could imagine, for instance, contact lenses with displays and miniature computers on them, so that you can experience a virtual tour of a new city as you walk around." This overview contains more details and references. It also includes a picture of a high-density crossbar nanostructure, whose geometry can serve as the basis for many applications, like bio-sensor arrays or high-density data storage."

Useful

[dwalsh]

"One could imagine, for instance, contact lenses with displays and miniature computers on them, so that you can experience a virtual tour of a new city as you walk around."

So while you are walking around in the city, you get to see what it looks like. Hmm... Pity you can't do that now.

my eyesight is bad enough as it is...

[size1one]

"One could imagine, for instance, contact lenses with displays and miniature computers on them"

my eyesight is bad enough as it is, the last thing I need are electronics short-circuiting in my eyeball.

How long before

[Anonymous Coward]

The real question is how long until I can get some nice Adware to pop up on my contacts?

Glasses for Zaphod Beebelbrox

[madsen]

The mention of the contatct lenses made me think of Zaphod Beebelbrox and his glasses (or was it someone else) that helped him to never be scared. The glasses went black when danger was imminent.

That could be really cool when driving.

Great idea

[Ancil]

One could imagine, for instance, contact lenses with displays and miniature computers on them, so that you can experience a virtual tour of a new city as you walk around.

One could imagine the decidedly non-virtual experience of getting creamed by a passing truck. Gives whole new meaning to Blue Screen of Death.

Re:On contacts?

[3.5 stripes]

There's an angle I hadn't thought of...

www.contactwasher.com

[angedinoir]

for instance, contact lenses with displays

"Yes, is this tech support? I think I have a virus in my contact. Everywhere I go, everyone's face is being replaced by banner ads.... Yes, I see it. Yea, it says gator. What I'm screwed?......"

Re:On contacts?

[pipingguy]

Can you actually focus on something which is that close to your eye?

Can you say repetitive eyeball stress syndrome?

(Although popups on pron sites already cause this, most don't complain due to embarrassment)