Kent Displays, Inc, Kent, OH, has teamed up with Honeywell
Corp. and DARPA to develop a mil-spec e-book. Using Kent's cholesteric display (ChLCD)
technology, the "mil-e-book" will acquire maps, GPS data and other information;
then, once the image is on-screen, it can remain visible without any power, indefinitely.
The trick involved is a reflective, bi-stable crystal material that locks into position
until a new image is loaded. The material's reflectivity actually improves viewing in
bright sunlight, and the display's lack of light absorbers enhances color rendition.
Because power consumption would be low for the book, they can be manufactured with small,
lightweight battery packs, yet still be used for a projected six to eight weeks at 12
hours per day. An additional benefit in this military application is that the display does
not emit any light, yet it can be clearly read with night vision goggles. In emergencies,
such as with downed pilots or soldiers, the book will still provide a map long after the
batteries have drained. In one demonstration, a ChLCD display continued to function
normally after having been pierced by a bullet. The display can load new images at the
rate of four frames per second -- not enough for a video presentation, but fast enough for
position updates. The display being developed for the book will be a 6.3-inch diagonal
VGA. Circle 400.
Just over 25 years ago Polaroid
introduced the first fully automatic, motorized folding SLR camera that would eject
self-developing, self-timing color prints. The battery used for the SX-70 was a unique
flat package that produced 6 volts, without strong alkalies or heavy metals. While the
PolaPulse battery wasn't suited for powering devices like radios, CD players or toys, some
alternate applications have been flashlights and blinking warning indicators. Last
November, MotorUp Corporation, Philadelphia, PA, introduced the StartMeUp, an emergency
booster for dead auto batteries that uses 6 series-wired PolaPulse units. Once the user
plugs the device into the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket, a control circuit in the
StartMeUp regulates and monitors output to prevent spikes that would damage the car's
computer or other sensitive components. A red light signals the start of the charge cycle,
and a flashing green light comes on when the cycle is complete, a process that usually
takes about five minutes. According to the inventor, Dr. Martin Silverman, each PolaPulse
element is capable of producing 15 amps at a dead short, because of the battery's large
electrode surfaces. The peak output of the StartMeUp, then, is kept to 10 amps so as not
to blow the fuse in the lighter circuit. The PolaPulse batteries also allow the unit a
shelf (or glovebox) life of five years or better. Circle 401.
Kent Displays, Inc, Kent, OH, has teamed up with Honeywell
Corp. and DARPA to develop a mil-spec e-book. Using Kent's cholesteric display (ChLCD)
technology, the "mil-e-book" will acquire maps, GPS data and other information;
then, once the image is on-screen, it can remain visible without any power, indefinitely.
The trick involved is a reflective, bi-stable crystal material that locks into position
until a new image is loaded. The material's reflectivity actually improves viewing in
bright sunlight, and the display's lack of light absorbers enhances color rendition.
Because power consumption would be low for the book, they can be manufactured with small,
lightweight battery packs, yet still be used for a projected six to eight weeks at 12
hours per day. An additional benefit in this military application is that the display does
not emit any light, yet it can be clearly read with night vision goggles. In emergencies,
such as with downed pilots or soldiers, the book will still provide a map long after the
batteries have drained. In one demonstration, a ChLCD display continued to function
normally after having been pierced by a bullet. The display can load new images at the
rate of four frames per second -- not enough for a video presentation, but fast enough for
position updates. The display being developed for the book will be a 6.3-inch diagonal
VGA. Circle 400.
Just over 25 years ago Polaroid
introduced the first fully automatic, motorized folding SLR camera that would eject
self-developing, self-timing color prints. The battery used for the SX-70 was a unique
flat package that produced 6 volts, without strong alkalies or heavy metals. While the
PolaPulse battery wasn't suited for powering devices like radios, CD players or toys, some
alternate applications have been flashlights and blinking warning indicators. Last
November, MotorUp Corporation, Philadelphia, PA, introduced the StartMeUp, an emergency
booster for dead auto batteries that uses 6 series-wired PolaPulse units. Once the user
plugs the device into the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket, a control circuit in the
StartMeUp regulates and monitors output to prevent spikes that would damage the car's
computer or other sensitive components. A red light signals the start of the charge cycle,
and a flashing green light comes on when the cycle is complete, a process that usually
takes about five minutes. According to the inventor, Dr. Martin Silverman, each PolaPulse
element is capable of producing 15 amps at a dead short, because of the battery's large
electrode surfaces. The peak output of the StartMeUp, then, is kept to 10 amps so as not
to blow the fuse in the lighter circuit. The PolaPulse batteries also allow the unit a
shelf (or glovebox) life of five years or better. Circle 401.