STRATEGIES & ANALYSIS
Business Corner
size of nanoparticles offers the potential to use such
small amounts of metals that even an expensive metal
like silver is not cost prohibitive.
ELECTRONIC PAPER
By creating a feeling that is as close as possible to paper,
industry is aiming to replace paper with electronic paper.
The present electronic paper uses glass substrates, but
by replacing them with plastic substrates, while maintaining visibility, memory and energy-saving characteristics, it can be made flexible. By changing the material
from glass to plastic, the following merits can be
obtained:
• Safety. There is no need to worry about cracking or
breaking.
• Weight reduction. In comparison with the same size
glass panel, the weight reduction ratio will be one-tenth
(in-house comparison).
• Thinness. In comparison with the same size glass
panel, the thinness ratio will be one-fifth (in-house comparison).
By making it flexible, electronic paper excels in porta-
bility, and it is anticipated that it will become the perfect
new device for the mobile society of the future. In addi-
tion, installation on curved surfaces, which used to be
impossible has become possible, so the potential uses of
the displays will be broadened.