Three Fujitsu companies have jointly developed the world’s first film substrate-based bendable colour electronic paper with an image memory function.

Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd, Fujitsu Frontech Limited, and Fujitsu Limited said the new electronic paper features vivid colour images that are unaffected even when the screen is bent, and features an image memory function that enables continuous display of the same image without the need for electricity, according to a JCN Newswire report.
The thin and flexible electronic paper uses very low power to change screen images, thereby making it ideal for displaying information or advertisements in public areas as a type of new electronic media that can be handled as easily as paper.
The jointly developed electronic paper was showcased at Fujitsu Forum 2005 held in Tokyo International Forum recently.
Electronic paper offers all the same characteristics of paper such as being thin, flexible, and lightweight. It also boasts low power consumption in that it does not require electricity except during screen image changes, making electronic paper especially suited for advertisements or information bulletins in public places for which paper is currently used.
Electronic paper is especially convenient for use on curved surfaces, such as columns. In addition, electronic paper can be conveniently used in conjunction with mobile devices as an easy-to-read and portable display device.
Key features of Fujitsu’s new electronic paper and its technology include:
• No electricity required for continuous display, minimal power consumption when changing screen image
• Features an image memory function that enables continuous display of the same image even when electricity is turned off, therefore no electricity is required for continuous display
• Screen image can be changed using minimal electricity consumption equivalent to the weak radiowaves used in contactless IC cards
• The technology significantly conserves energy by consuming only one one-hundredth to one ten-thousandth the energy of conventional display technologies.
• The new electronic paper is constructed of three displaying layers - red, blue, and green. Since no colour filters or polarising layers are required, it features colour that is significantly more vivid than conventional reflective-type LCDs.
• Proprietary Fujitsu technology ensures that screen colour is unaffected even when the screen is bent or pressed with fingers.
By leveraging the features of this technology, a wide variety of applications can be envisioned for Fujitsu’s new electronic paper as a digital medium that can be handled like paper.
Fujitsu will conduct test marketing and practical-use testing, targeting commercialisation within fiscal 2006 (April 2006 to March 2007) to promote field innovation using its new electronic paper, the report said.