Conventional TFTs are manufactured onto a rigid glass substrate, but new techniques call for making the transistors on flexible plastic. But in order to achieve these results, the TFTs require 100 watts of power, far too taxing for a notebook's battery. Overcoming the heat problem has been a great technical challenge, because plastic can't withstand high heat without deforming. Christos Dimitrakopoulos, the project chief, says that IBM has taken a major step toward creating lightweight, flexible active-matrix displays for notebooks. Plastic transistors may also be used for thin, flexible instrument panels that wrap around your windshield, as well as for disposable smart cards that serve your transitory data needs.
Researchers expect the first prototypes to be ready within the next five to ten years.
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