LG unveils high-resolution display that can stretch up to 20%

[Shawn Knight]

In a nutshell: LG Display has unveiled what it is calling the world's first 12-inch high-resolution stretchable display. The tech, fitting called the Stretchable display, is based on a highly resilient film-type substrate comprised of the same silicon that is used in contact lenses. The 12-inch display boasts full-color RGB, a resolution of 100 PPI, and exhibits rubber band-like flexibility that allows it to be stretched up to 14 inches.

The free-form tech can be twisted and folded without distortion or damage, and is said to be more resilient than existing foldable and rollable display tech. MicroLEDs with a pixel pitch of less than 40μm serve as the light source and enhance durability, as does a flexible spring-like wiring structure.

LG's Stretchable display is the result of a large-scale R&D effort commissioned by South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) in 2020. The goal of the project is to enhance the country's competitiveness in next-gen display tech, and LG vowed to see it through to completion.

LG said the thin and lightweight design offers "next-level" versatility for a plethora of daily scenarios. For example, a panel could easily be attached to curved surfaces like skin, furniture, clothing, aircraft and automobiles.

That said, it could be a while still before something like this reaches commercial availability – not because the tech is not feasible, but more for practicality purposes. While incredibly neat, I am struggling to come up with any real-world applications where this would be better than existing solutions.

What problem does it solve? What need does it meet? Heck, you could still argue that existing foldable and bendable displays are mostly a novelty. Maybe we will eventually land on valid use cases but right now, it is a tech that is lacking a purpose.

Samsung is also working on stretchable display technology but from what we've seen thus far, they are more interested in using the tech for 3D-style televisions.

Can you think of any practical uses for LG's Stretchable display?

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https://www.techspot.com/news/96596-lg-unveils-high-resolution-display-can-stretch-up.html

 

[psycros]

Other than replacing the big LEDs on the side of a blimp I can't think of any valid use for these displays. Perhaps to wrap around telephone poles to replace all those tacked-up "bike stolen" signs?

 

[EdmondRC]

Why do I have the feeling that one of the first things made with this is going to be lingerie?

 

[Uncle Al]

I'll wait for the set of underwear that can flash "special" message for the wife, girlfriend .... whatever .....

 

[Watzupken]

Conceptually, it sounds cool and there may be some use cases for it. But I am thinking what is the point of stretching it when the resolution of the display is the same. Won't that make the image stretched too?

 

[Hodor]

They could stick those foils on buses, trams and trucks to display..... well, ads, of course. What else is there today? Just ads everywhere. Even in Windows 11, thanks to kind smart people of Microsoft.