Development of Flexible and Optically Transparent Cellulosic Nanocomposites
Natural fibers have well established its reputation as reinforcement to plastics. Because of their wide abundance, their renewable and environmentally benign nature, and their outstanding mechanical properties, a great deal of attention has been paid recently to cellulosic nanofibrillar structures as components in nanocomposites. Isolated nanofibrils have proven to possess excellent optical properties as larger diameter fibers have been excluded and fiber distribution has been improved. When combined with high refractive-index polymer, the resulting nanocomposites can transmit up to 80% of visible light compare to the pure polymer. Although the nanofibrils are miniature in size, they share similar mechanical strength with steel and yet light as a feather. The reinforcement they can bring to the polymer is enormous and can still maintain its flexibility. In additional, the web-like-network of the nanofibrils can restrain the movement of thermoplastics when exposed to heat, which means no or little thermal expansion in the final composites. This type of cellulosic nanocomposites is an excellent material for making flexible, foldable and optically transparent films. And printing OLEDs onto the flexible substrate film made from cellulose nanocomposite is definitely the next hot item in display industry.
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Antenna Design has lauched a new concept of multimedia device. The firm is led by Masamichi Udagawa and Sigi Moeslinger from Japan. They called their project as the “super gadget for the year 2014.” The concept features a flexible OLED screen that can be used for gaming console, mobile phone, and video viewing. I hope my research in the term of my study will contribute to this move in the revolutionarydevelopments of electronics.
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