The future is now. Scientists have created interactive screens that could display simple messages to you or even display other advertisements on packaged products.
The new screens are thin enough to be affixed to packaging, which could revolutionize the packaging industry. In theory, they could be used in greeting cards or products where the customer could receive a simple message.
But how do the researchers create the screens in the first place? The process involves printing electronic tracks onto paper and then fixing low-cost electronics and a polymer LED display to the paper with the use of an adhesive that conducts electricity. The scientists also created a touchpad keyboard on the paper that allows a user to selectively "drive" the LEDs in the display. This, in turn, means that users can actually interact with their packaging.
"Labels on packaging could become much more innovative, and allow customers to interact with and explore new products," said David Lidzey from the University of Sheffield's Department of Physics and Astronomy. "The use of displays or light emitting panels on packaging will also allow companies to communicate brand awareness in a more sophisticated manner."
Currently, the researchers hope to create fully flexible organic displays on a plastic substrate that then can fit into electronic tracks. The goal is to create LED devices that are low cost enough and flexible enough to be used on all packaging.
"The paper-based packaging industry is worth billions of dollars," said Chris Jones from Novalia, one of the researchers who worked on the project. "This innovative system we have developed with the University of Sheffield could give manufacturers a way to gain market share by being able to distinguish its products from competitors."
The findings could be huge for the packaging industry. For example, more complex developments on the screens could include a countdown timer on the side of a packet to indicate when a timed product was ready, such as hair-dye, pregnancy tests or home baking using a "traffic lights" system. More specifically, the new screens would be huge for engaging consumers and also for displaying useful and timely information.
The findings are published in the April 2016 journal IEEE Journal of Display Technology.
