Tag Archives: Touch sensor

Kodak touch sensor after UniPixel

July 15, 2015

I recently had a chance to interview Kodak’s VP of Functional Printing group, Mr. Brian Marks. Mr. Marks indicated Kodak is currently working on two metal mesh technologies: 1. Silver metal mesh, and 2. Copper metal mesh.

As we covered before in Touch and Emerging Display monthly report, UniPixel bought the Atmel’s XSense business and facility in Colorado in April 2015.

On April 27, 2015, Kodak announced it is committed to moving forward independently with development of copper mesh touch sensor technology, following UniPixel’s decision to withdraw from joint activities with Kodak.

“We are pleased to have full control over the technology development program and excited about the business opportunities ahead. We expect to have products based on this technology in the market before the end of this year,” said Philip Cullimore, President – Enterprise Inkjet Systems Division and Micro 3D Printing & Packaging Division.

UniPixel and Kodak signed partnership agreement back in 2013. But after about 2 years, the partnership broke up.

In the recently published “ITO-replacement: non-ITO transparent conductor technologies and market forecast 2015 report“, Touch Display Research forecast the non-ITO transparent conductor market will have rapid growth and reach $10.9 billion in 2022.

Figure: ITO-replacement market forecast.

ITO replacement forecast2015

Source: Touch Display Research Inc. ITO-replacement 2015 report.

More analyst about Kodak touch sensor technologies, supply chain and business will be in the “Touch and Emerging Display monthly report”, July 2015 issue.

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer and team

Nissha partners with C3Nano

May 8, 2015

Today, Nissha and C3Nano announced they are partnering to develop silver nanowire type transparent conductor for touch sensor applications.

Touch Display Research had a chance to talk to C3Nano’s CEO, Mr. Cliff Morris recently. He indicated being selected by Nissha as a development partner validates C3nano’s position as a performance leader in TCFs.

Our survey found that the adoption of silver nanowire and metal mesh are accelerating. In the newly published ITO-replacement 2015 report, Touch Display Research forecast ITO-replacement market will grow to 10.9 Billion by 2022.

Figure. ITO-replacement market forecast 2015 to 2022.

ITO replacement forecast2015

Source: Touch Display Research, ITO-replacement report, May 2015.

There are 25 companies and research institutes working on silver nanowire transparent conductor currently. Nissha is actually part of another joint venture with Cambrios and TPK on silver nanowire since 2013.  More analysis can be found in the Touch and Emerging Display monthly report, May 2015 issue.

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer and team

iPad Air GF2 touch sensor structure made it thin and light weight

Oct 23, 2013

Yesterday, Apple announced its “best iPad ever” –the iPad Air, and the retina display iPad mini.

The iPad Air is especially attractive, with 20% thinner than the iPad 3 (also called the new iPad when it was released in 2012), and 31% lighter than the iPad 3.

What technology made the iPad Air so thin and light weight? Touch Display Research believes the main contributors are

  1. The GF2 touch panel structure,
  2. Narrow bezel touch and display.

Touch Display Research believes the iPad Air used the GF2 (Glass Film with double side transparent conductor) touch structure, compare with the GG (Glass Glass) structure used in the previous iPad. Change one pieces of 9.7” glass to film, Apple could save 0.5mm to 0.8mm in the thickness, and save 0.1 to 0.3 pound in weight.

We also believe the display and touch screen in iPad Air have a narrow bezel than the previous iPad. This contributed to the light weight as well.

Thanks for reading,

Jennifer and team