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What is Reflex® Technology?
Technology
All Kent Displays LCDs, glass and plastic, carry the Reflex brand. Reflex LCDs possess two major attributes that provide significant advantages over traditional liquid crystal displays: no power image retention and superior optical characteristics. They are also rugged, thin, and in the case of Reflex plastic LCDs, flexible.
No Power Image Retention
Reflex LCDs utilize cholesteric liquid crystals, producing an image from reflected light. Cholesteric liquid crystals are bistable, exhibiting both a bright reflecting state and a dark non-reflecting state without any voltage applied. Because of bistability, Reflex LCDs will retain an image indefinitely without power. Some Reflex displays have retained the same image without power for over 10 years with no degradation.
No power image retention makes Reflex displays ideal for use in battery-operated, portable devices such as:
- eReaders
- MP3 players
- Cordless and cellular telephones
- Remote controls
- Active inventory tags
- Handheld GPS receivers
Superior Optical Characteristics
Reflex LCDS have superior optical characteristics compared to many traditional LCDs. These include:
- Sunlight readability
- Wide viewing angle (no polarizers)
- High brightness and contrast
Sunlight readability means the displayed image will not “wash-out” in direct sunlight, making it unnecessary to squint or shade with a hand. This makes Reflex LCDs ideal for outdoor applications such as:
- Signage
- Instrumentation (e.g., gas pumps)
- sports/fitness equipment
- eReaders – great for the beach
Rugged
Reflex displays are used in a wide range of demanding environments, including military and industrial applications, and are resistant to:
- High Humidity
- Water/Solvent Contact
- Temperature Extremes
- Dirt and Dust
- Impacts, Tears and Abrasions (plastic)
Thin
At 60 microns, the thickness of Reflex plastic displays is comparable to the following:
- Copy paper (100 microns)
- Newsprint (45 microns)
- Human hair (50-85 microns)
- LAN fiber optic wire – core (62 microns)
- Household aluminum foil (9-25 microns)
Reflex glass displays are also thin, with a minimum thickness of 90 microns.
Flexible
Opening the Door to New & Unique Display Products & Applications
Until recently, most of our Reflex LCDs were produced on glass substrates and used as information displays. However, Reflex LCDs are increasingly available on plastic substrates made from polyethylene terephthalate. The flexibility, durability and exceptional thinness of Reflex plastic LCDs, combined with no power image retention and superior optical characteristics, is opening the door to myriad new and unique products and applications including:
LCD eWriters
An environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional pen and paper. Ideal for school, home, office, car and even the athletic field.
LCD Electronic Skins
An ultra thin, single pixel display that enables dynamic, on-demand product personalization.
SmartCard Displays
Mini information displays for use in credit, stored value and medical record systems cards. Displays one time password for credit transactions, remaining gift card balance, medical information, promotions and more. Please contact our sales department for more information.
