The dawn of E-Paper

By Alvaro Ruiz-Navajas

The nascent market for e-readers has put e-paper into the spotlight, but the potential applications for e-paper are much wider.

The technology for e-paper has been developing since the late 1960s, but its potential applications have become apparent only since the advent of the e-readers. In theory, e-paper could replace ink and paper, but given the current state of technology, e-paper is better suited to display data rather than input data. Thus, rather than being useful only in consumer electronics, e-paper could find its core markets in disposable electronics and electronic signage. E-paper could expand rapidly to a USD 3 billion market by 2015.

Disposable electronics is likely to be an area where e-paper creates a new market. Potential uses include making packaging more appealing to consumers and advertisers – as shown by the Esquire magazine cover in 2008 - the change in pre-paid cards and, most interestingly, medical instructions. Doses and instructions could be changed so that they target a specific patient, and even the time to take the next dose could be displayed.

Electronic signage is where e-paper does have an advantage over current incumbents. Currently, TFT-LCD, LED and paper dominate this segment. However, with e-paper's ability to change rapidly and its low energy consumption, it is ideal for mobile message boards in airports and train stations. For billboards, e-paper could still provide an expensive alternative to paper, but the robustness of e-paper and the possibility to update it remotely presents a compelling case. E-paper price tags that can be updated centrally have proved successful in Japan.

A frequently cited benefit of electronic paper, however, stems from its direct effect on the environment. With an estimated 4 billion trees cut down each year and most of them going to paper, e-paper could not just open new markets, but also help preserve biodiversity.

Comments

[john]

nice blog

[Micah]

This is a great post.. Very informative... I can see that you put a lot of hard work on your every post that's why I think I'd come here more often. Keep it up! By the way, you can also drop by my blogs. They're about Vegetable Gardening and Composting. I'm sure you'd find my blogs helpful too.