Japan's Toppan Printing Co. announced on March 25, 2004, that it has begun mass producing the key component of "electronic paper" through a strategic partnership with U.S.-based E Ink Corporation. The electronic paper technology has been widely considered essential for next-generation displays.

The component co-developed by Toppan and E Ink, namely "frontplane laminate," has become the world's first consumer application of this technology. It has been incorporated into an electronic paper display made by Royal Philips Electronics, and that display has been adopted for Sony's new electronic book reader "LIBRIe" which went on sale on April 24.

Electronic paper has been attracting attention as a next-generation reflective display medium with the strengths of both paper and electronic displays. The newly developed electronic paper based on E Ink's microencapsulated electrophoretic technology offers paper-like readability and other features suitable for mobile information devices, such as ultra-low power consumption and thin, lightweight design realized by the use of plastic materials.

Sony's "LIBRIe" can display about 10,000 pages before its four AAA alkaline batteries need to be replaced. It weighs about 300 grams, including the main unit at about 190 grams, plus batteries and cover.





Posted: 2004/06/22 03:24:28 PM
Japanese version

TAG Eco-product/Business , Energy , Manufacturing industry , Non-manufacturing industry , Technology