EDN's 19th Annual Innovation Awards Finalists
-- EDN, February 2, 2009
|
&& PREVIOUS FINALIST | MAIN | NEXT FINALIST >> Category: Embedded-system Technologies Finalist: Mirasol displays (Qualcomm)  Qualcomm MEMS Technologies has developed the industry's first color micro electrical/mechanical systems (MEMS) display for mobile devices. Based on a reflective technology, mirasol displays require no backlighting and therefore consume significantly less power than standard displays in portable devices. mirasol displays are based on Interferometric Modulator (IMOD) technology, and use a combination of mirrors and semi-conductor-like technologies that work better in direct light, use less power, and open up new design possibilities for electronic devices.The IMOD element is a simple MEMS device that is composed of two conductive plates. One is a thin film stack on a glass substrate, the other is a reflective membrane suspended over the substrate. There is a gap between the two that is filled with air. The IMOD element has two stable states. When no voltage is applied, the plates are separated, and light hitting the substrate is reflected. When a small voltage is applied, the plates are pulled together by electrostatic attraction and the light is absorbed, turning the element black. The first 0.9-inch IMOD color mirasol display was introduced by Freestyle Audio in a waterproof, shockproof, and virtually indestructible mp3 player. |
|
Talkback
