Transparent transistors pave way to future displays, scientists say

West Lafayette (IN) – Researchers at Purdue University have created transparent transistors and circuits that could be integrated in future displays, such as head-up displays in windshields as well as e-paper that would be able to playback video.

According to David Janes, a researcher at Purdue University’s Birck Nanotechnology Center and a professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the newly developed technology uses single nanowires that were assembled on glass and thin films of flexible plastic to act as transistors.

Since the wires themselves were built using zinc oxide or indium oxide, two materials that do not absorb light in the visible range of the spectrum, the devices appear transparent to the human eye. "The nanowires themselves are transparent, the contacts we put on them are transparent and the glass or plastic substrate is transparent," said Janes. Previously published research already had discussed nanowire transistors, but the metal electrodes in the transistors were non-transparent. The Purdue project apparently is the first to show the complete circuit structure can be made transparent.

Potential applications include head-up displays on windshields and information displays on eyeglasses and visors, flexible displays and future e-paper that can playback full-motion video. The researchers for example envision sports goggles for spectators to follow a particular player while having relevant statistics displayed and real-time interactive information for soldiers and surgeons.

It was not clear when this new technology could become available in commercial products.