Skip to main content

View master: Researchers developing LCD shutters that go from transparent to a new scene

researchers developing lcd shutters that go from transparent to opaque kube architecture
Kube Architecture
Not all of us have views of mountains, rolling hills, or majestic cityscapes. For those whose windows face directly into their neighbors’ unsightly collection of lawn ornaments, there may be hope that one day you’ll be able to switch from a view of a plastic flamingo to a far-off beach and back again.

If your LCD computer monitor is switched to off, all you get is a black rectangle, but what if you could see through the screen instead? A group of researchers at Pusan National University in South Korea are developing LCD shutters that can be either transparent — allowing you to see your neighborhood — or opaque — giving you views of anything you choose to put on the screen. While not a completely new idea, Tae-Hoon Yoon and his group have a new design that could eliminate some of the problems associated with making a transparent display out of OLEDs.

“The transparent part is continuously open to the background,” Yoon told AIP Publishing, which published his work in AIP Advances. “As a result, they exhibit poor visibility.” Instead, the group’s idea involves a polymer network of liquid crystal cells that don’t absorb light when the shutter is “off,” making the material transparent. To make the shutter opaque and ready to project an image, you supply electricity, letting special dichroic dyes absorb the light reflected by the LCDs.

Unlike other transparent-to-opaque shutters that always need to be on to make the shutter material transparent, Yoon’s design doesn’t require a constant supply of power. To make the shutter even more energy-efficient, the research team plans future projects that only require electricity when switching between the transparent and opaque states.

Between these shutters and Google’s wall-screen patent, the potential future looks pretty scenic.

Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
Get this Roomba robot vacuum for $160 instead of the usual $275
iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum cleaning a foyer.

Crutchfield is currently selling an iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum for a fantastic discount. Usually costing $275, it’s down to just $160 for a very limited time only. One of the best robot vacuum deals around, the sale is only on until March 16 so you haven’t got long to snap one up. If you’re keen to streamline the cleaning process at home, check it out now before the sale ends.

Why you should buy the iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum
The Roomba range provides some of the best robot vacuums around meaning it’s the perfect brand to consider. With the iRobot Roomba 694, you get a 3-stage cleaning system with an edge-sweeping brush, dual roller brushes, and powerful suction. Alongside that, there are Dirt Detect sensors that inform it when it needs to give more attention to dirtier parts of your home.

Read more
The Blink Mini 2 features an updated design, support for outdoor use
The Blink Mini 2 placed on two books.

The original Blink Mini was one of the best indoor cameras thanks to its affordable price, 1080p resolution, and support for Alexa. Now, Amazon is making the gadget even more enticing with the new Blink Mini 2, which boasts a sleek new design and is capable of working both indoors and outside in the elements.

While it's still small and compact, the Blink Mini 2 looks slightly different from the old Blink Mini. Its corners are much softer, its entire chassis is white (instead of a white chassis and black faceplate), and its camera takes up a bit more space on the front of the device. The differences are apparent when the two gadgets are placed side by side -- and the minor changes add up to make the Blink Mini 2 look a bit more premium than its older sibling.

Read more
This 4-camera Lorex wireless video surveillence system is $200 off
A Lorex 2K Wireless camera mounted on an outside wall.

One of the best security camera deals today is over at Crutchfield with $200 off the Lorex 2K Wireless NVR System. Usually priced at $550, it’s down to a fantastic $350 until March 17. That means you don’t have very long to enjoy the significant discount. If you need to know more, we’re here to help with some insight about the security system below. Remember to buy it before March 17 if it sounds like the right setup for you.

Why you should buy the Lorex 2K Wireless NVR System
Sure to be one of the best home security camera systems for many people, the Lorex 2K Wireless NVR System is packed with features. It comes with an easy-to-use network video recorder along with four weather-resistant 2K cameras which are battery-powered and wireless. Any time the cameras notice motion, you’ll get a notification to your smartphone. You can then opt to view the live feed as well as talk to anyone on the other side. Its motion-based detection system does a great job of highlighting things only when there are people rather than objects, cutting down on false alarms.

Read more