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MISY 3310
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MALLEABLE TRANSPARENT TOUCHPAD
History of Product
Taking a Further Look
For nearly a decade, scientists have tried to unravel the idea behind carbon nanotubes and metal nanowires (Y. Bai, Transparent hydrogel 2014). Their studies finally resulted in a touchpad that can be stretched, folded, or bent, without ever loosing shape. In 2016, scientists discovered malleable transparent touchpads.
A variety of conductors have attempted this design by using nanotubes and metal nanowires, but weren’t able to maintain shape. To solve the problem, Chong-Chan Kim (along with a few colleagues) used a network of hydrophilic polymers. These hydrophilic polymers aren’t not only soft, but also very stretchable (John Woods, 2016). After being stretched more than 1,000 percent of its original size, the touchpad is still able to operate without any malfunctions.
Seoul National University scientists discovered a highly stretchable hydrogel. This hydrogel was a perfect match for what scientists were seeking, not only was the gel feasible, but it was also very cheap as well (Paul Brown, 2017). At $1 per 10.75 square feet (1 square meter), scientists are expecting a large profit return with very little overhead.
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So far, researchers have been able to play games on the touchpad while being wrapped around a human arm. Along with being able to play the piano, chess, and draw figures, developers have also concluded that the Malleable Transparent Touchpad is 98 percent invisible. Could you imagine, being able to carry a piano in your pocket? This technology is absolutely mind-blowing.
Description of The Product
Malleable Transparent Touchpad
The Malleable Transparent Touchpad is a new technology that is made with a hydrogel substance, which is the same substance contact lenses are made of. By adding salt to the hydrogel, an electric field is generated by forming electrically charged ions (Shane Reynolds, 2016). This allows for the touch of a finger to be recognized. Designed in 2016, this flexible touchpad is waiting paten approval before being released to the public.
A variety of conductors have attempted this same design by using nanotubes and metal nanowires, each of these were based on hard materials. To solve the problem, Chong-Chan Kim (along with a few colleagues) used a network of hydrophilic polymers. These hydrophilic polymers aren’t not only soft, but also very stretchable (Real Live Science, 2017). After being stretched more than 1,000 percent of its original size, the touchpad is still able to operate without any malfunctions.
Electrodes on both sides of the pad apply voltages. These voltages create an electrostatic field throughout the transparent touch pad. This means, when a finger touches the pad, the hydrogel closes the circuit, thus allowing a current to pass from each end to the touch point.
At each of the strip, current meters capture the flow of electronic signals. The team that designed this product, developed a controller board so the pad could communicate the touch panel to a personal computer. This controller board allows you to draw, write, or design anything on the touchpad and then the data is conveyed onto your personal computer.
Current State of Product
The Malleable Transparent Touchpad is changing the digital technology world as we know it. Currently, it is the only function product of its kind (Brian Wilson, 2016) making this new technology a must have in the years to come. Developers expecting to release the transparent touchpad by the begging of 2018.
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A current release date has yet to be set, early adaptors will be expected to pave the way for this breakout product. Investors have even taken this a step further by seeking information of the IPO of the company that will release the product.
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Aside for paten approval, the only tweaks that are being made at the moment, are ensuring the live expectancy of the Malleable Transparent Touchpad (R. Schinzinger 2004). As previously stated, what makes this product so desirable is the fact that it is the first of this kind. Assuming many companies will follow the trend, I believe IPads will soon become a trend of the past with four short years.
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Although nothing is for certain, with investors and early adaptors biting at the bit, we can guarantee this new technology will be the hottest product on the market when released. Some have compared the anticipation for this product to the same anticipation of Steve Jobs IPhone, which was released back in June of 2007.
Impact on Industry
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The Malleable Transparent Touchpad is going to change our view on technology. Perhaps the most interesting fact this product had to offer not only one, but two industries, is that the gel it is made from has the ability to replace cartilage in the human body. Not only would the technology world benefit from this touchpad, but the medical field would as well.
Scientist are predicting that this touchpad will also be the future of rehabilitation. Reason being, you can wrap the product anywhere on your body, then certain touch sequences can improve recovery time (Choi, January 2010). For example, if a patient has nerve damage in their right arm, doctors can wrap the pad on their left arm. Then doctors can produce a sequence for the patient to follow with their right arm.
As far as impact on the technology world, the Malleable Transparent Touchpad will revolutionize this field. Companies can now rely on a more durable, easily accessible, cheap product to replace their computers, if they wish to do so. Instead of carrying around a laptop, employees will be able to wear the touchpad with no worries of losing or breaking an expensive computer.
I believe companies can now be more productive with the Malleable Transparent Touchpad. By cutting cost on desktops and iPads, companies will be able to increase profit margins with less overhead. With less overhead, companies will be able to focus on placing revenue into more important matters such as inventory and employees. When it’s all said and done, I truly believe the Malleable Transparent Touchpad is the way to the future.
References
E.-S. Choi, , Flexible and transparent touch sensor using single-wall carbon nanotube thin-films, in Third International Nanoelectronics Conference, Hong Kong, 3 to 8 January 2010.
R. Schinzinger, P. A. A. Laura, Conformal Mapping: Methods and Applications (Courier Corporation, 2003).
Y. Bai, Transparent hydrogel with enhanced water retention capacity by introducing highly hydratable salt. Appl. Phys. Lett. 105, (2014).
A. Schmeder, A. Freed, Support vector machine learning for gesture signal estimation with a piezo-resistive fabric touch surface, in Proceedings of International New Interfaces for Musical Expressions (NIME’10), Sydney, Australia, 15 to 18 June 2010.
T. Someya, A large-area, flexible pressure sensor matrix with organic field-effect transistors for artificial skin applications. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 101, (2004).
Shane Reynolds, Real Clear Science. (September 3, 2016) Malleable Transparent Touchpad development. Retrieved from: http://www.realclearscience.com/2017/03/16/malleable_transparent_touchpad_developed_275250.html
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