Final Report Summary - E-SIGNAGE (Electronic paper message board for outdoor use <br/>with carbon NanoBud display module and GPRS I/O layer)
Executive Summary:
The project “Electronic paper message board for outdoor use with carbon NanoBud display module and GPRS I/O layer” (E-SIGNAGE) aimed to develop a large area, low-cost, high contrast level, robust, energy efficient (bi-stable; no backlight needed), two-colour electronic outdoor message board that is able to receive data via GSM communication and uses solar energy as a power source.
The outdoor electronic signage and message board (OEMB) under development is based on an electrophoretic type of display technology provided by Visitret Displays OÜ (coordinator; SME, Estonia) and carbon nanomaterials (Carbon nanotubes and NanoBuds™) provided by Canatu (partner; SME, Finland). Both technologies have the principle capabilities to meet all the quality requirements set by the end-users of OEMB devices. The active layer produced using Visitret Display’s technology is highly robust, flexible, has high bi-stability, wide operating temperatures and low production costs. The transparent electrode front-plane layers and thin film transistor backplane layers from Canatu’s nanocarbon films are highly robust and flexible, have high carrier mobility, on-off ratios and exceptional optical properties such as high transparency, colour neutrality and excellent index matching. Moreover, Canatu’s Direct Dry Printing technology allows low cost, high volume production. Visitret Displays’ and Canatu’s materials in combination with the existing OEMB components enable the partners of the E-SIGNAGE proposal bring autonomous and good picture quality, large area OEMB applications to the market.
Still further, the display modules based on Visitret Display’s and Canatu’s technologies have a wider impact on the market than purely outdoor applications. The project partners of E-SIGNAGE have therefore decided to target the public information market where large, low power, autonomous displays are needed.
Project Context and Objectives:
The general objective of the project was to develop a large area, low-cost, high brightness and contrast level, robust, energy efficient (bi-stable; no backlight needed), high information content two-colour electronic outdoor message board that is able to receive data via GSM communication and uses solar energy as a power source.
The E-SIGNAGE project consisted of eight (8) work packages that each had separate objectives in addition to the above-referred general objective. Three main work packages relate to separate technology developments for an active layer (WP1), development of front-plane electrodes (WP2) and development of a backplane transistor (WP3). Approaching the final stage of the project, each of the work packages needed some practical adjustments for better alignment and correlation of the separate outcomes in order to maximize the total project result. Following, the display panel capabilities including contrast, reflectivity, information content and other characteristics are not only influenced by the active layer but great influence is posed by the display module including cell design, drive scheme, panel lamination methodology and materials used. Therefore, in the final stage of development, interactive and horizontal development among most of the work packages was conducted.
Consequently, design engineering (WP5) became one of the key work packages, wherein different demonstrator designs were tested for the active layer, tests for verifying the results of WP1, WP2 and WP3 were conducted, and several demonstrators (see below) were assembled. It was concluded that the display panel and the display module development requires a similar magnitude of effort as the active layer development, if not more. Also, the active layer and panel development cannot be separated from each other as they are very much interactive. Further, it was necessary and has been targeted by Visitret to have in the display panel/module development present all the novel aspects of technical development to ensure the free usability of the active layer.
Five important project results achieved include:
- Active layer (front-plane) production technology (WP1). An image creating active layer production technology was developed for the OEMB application. The preparation process of micro-balls with good enough reflectivity was achieved. The sustaining medium developed by Visitret enables to have a display panel with high contrast and brightness.
- Front-plane electrodes and backplane production technologies (WP2, WP3)
The partners were able to approximately double the transparency/conductivity performance of its transparent conductive films (40 ohm/sq for A6 sized films and 80 ohm/sq for A4-sized films) and to more than quadruple the production rate of CNB material and film. Canatu is now able to deposit 100 ohm/sq films at a rate of 5m2/day.
Regarding the backplane (WP3), Canatu was able to demonstrate enhanced semiconducting carbon nanomaterial synthesis achieving up to 85% semiconduction material (up for approximately 67% previously) as well as a working flexible TFT backplane.
- DCU design with control software with communication layers (WP4). Two-way data communication with user interface, capable of displaying text, still images, moving images software was developed. The software enables lower power consumption and has auto-update mechanism. During the project, the software was tested successfully by end-users and on-site.
- Embedded software of hardware components; System and demonstrator design (WP5). Different types of OEMB demonstrators were developed. WP5 was also in tight interaction with WP 1, where the partners developed different device hardware systems with Visitret’s active layer. In addition to Visitret’s technology, many conventional displays were tested and used for the OEMB demonstrators.
- Prototype for display performance confirmation (WP5 Task 5.6 outcome – D5.7). Overall display performance is dependent on multiple separate items (active layer, i.e. display medium, cell design including its process, and driving scheme of the display panel). Therefore, this particular task 5.6 had an equal weight with active layer development and driving scheme consideration. In this task 5.6 and its development time period, a specific cell design to draw out the intrinsic performance of the active layer and to create new display performance were targeted. Visitret Displays filed a patent application, Reference No. 70207, of cell design and its manufacturing as a result of the performed display device research and development.
In addition to the R&D work, final demonstrators of E-SIGNAGE, incorporating the developed software and hardware design, were tested by the project end-users and on site. Moreover, in the end of the project, during the dissemination activities, the partners introduced the project to a wider audience, gathered feedback from actual display users and demonstrated the results.
The final results and objectives were demonstrated through the following different types of demonstrators:
• An A2-sized display for an OEMB device driven by passive matrix,
• An A4-sized display for an OEMB device driven by direct drive,
• An 8-pixel sized direct drive test panel,
• A 4-pixel sized demonstrator based on Canatu’s CNB backplanes and Visitret’s active layer,
• An A5-sized demonstrator based on Canatu’s NanoBud frontplanes and Visitret’s active layer.
Project Results:
S&T RESULTS
The identified E-SIGNAGE project key results are the following:
• Active-layer and display module (developed and owned by Visitret Displays OÜ)
• Carbon nanomaterials based front-plane electrodes and backplane production technology (developed and owned by Canatu Oy)
The identified project key results (i.e. paper-like display material and carbon nanomaterial based front-plane electrodes) improve significantly the competitiveness level of display technology development of SME Visitret Displays and of printed flexible organic electronics of SME Canatu. The active layer as well as the display module itself used for outdoor electronic signage and message boards (OEMBs) devices is highly robust, has high bi-stability, wide operating temperatures and low production costs. Canatu’s nanocarbon films are highly robust and flexible, have low electrical resistance and exceptional optical properties such as high transparency, low haze, colour neutrality and excellent refractive index matching.
The key project achievements are described in more detail in the following sections.
Active layer and developed display module by Visitret Displays
One of the core and critical technologies of the E-SIGNAGE project is the development of a working electrophoretic display active layer. The display medium is based on switching particles sustained in the sustaining medium, wherein the particles are controlled by an electric field. During the development of the active layer it was confirmed that the initially planned LCD backplanes cannot be used with Visitret’s technology. The initial idea was to sandwich Visitret’s display medium between an LCD backplane, however, it could not be done technically. Therefore, there was a crucial need for the actual development of the display module. A display module development means that the mutual relationship between the display device design and the active layer performance is considered. The initial execution of the E-SIGNAGE project clarified the necessity of more concrete and practical level display performance factors including mutual electric capacitance influence on the display performance, display panel design influence on optical response time, contrast ratio, and so on. These findings reasonably lead to the identification of the need for a specific or custom design display panel structure, which could be used instead of the original consideration, in order to optimize and maximize the display image performance.
Therefore, one of the key achievements of the E-SIGNAGE project is a customized electrophoretic display module that can be integrated into a wide range of final products.
Carbon nanomaterials based front-plane electrodes and backplane production technology
Regarding the front plane electrode, in this project, Canatu and its partners (VTT and Aalto) were able to approximately double the transparency/conductivity performance of its transparent conductive films (40 ohm/sq for A6 sized films and 80 ohm/sq for A4 sized films) and to more than quadruple the production rate of CNB material and film. Canatu is now able to deposit 100 ohm/sq films at a rate of 5m2/day. Regarding the backplane, Canatu was able to demonstrate enhanced semiconducting carbon nanomaterial systhesis achieving up to 85% semiconduction material (up for approximately 67% previously) as well as a working flexible TFT backplane.
Based on the above-mentioned key results of the research and development project E-SIGNAGE, partners Visitret and Canatu have combined the two key technologies into one product – a display module. The display module with Visitret’s display technology combined with Canatu’s front-plane transparent electrodes has similar marketable characteristics as Visitret’s own technology – the electrophoretic display module. However, to date, the industry standard in transparent conductive oxides (TCO) is ITO, or tin-doped indium-oxide that is used in optoelectronic devices such as flat panel displays. ITO has the drawbacks of being expensive, brittle, yellow tinted and has a high index of refraction, leading to high reflection losses and low contrast without complicated and expensive stack structures. ITO has been shown to degrade with time when subject to mechanical stresses. High cost is also forcing many to look for alternatives. Carbon nanomaterials have shown the potential to replace traditional materials in the front-plane transparent electrode (TE) in display applications. To date, there are no transparent electrode materials available on the market, which could meet the performance, flexibility and robustness requirements for durable, and light transparent conducting films (TCFs). TCFs are optically transparent and electrically conductive in thin layers. The transparent electrode (TE), which conducts electricity but allows the image below to be viewed, is critical to the operation of the display module. This achievement clearly adds the display module more competitive advantages on the targeted markets and segments.
FOREGROUND
The research and technical development of the E-SIGNAGE project led to the establishment of new foreground, subject to protection by the SMEP-s Visitret and Canatu. A Plan for the Use and Dissemination of the Knowledge (D7.5 by Month 18) was set up, focusing on the market penetration of the display module and serving as a base for the E-SIGNAGE continuation project (“E-SIGNAGE-D”) activities, estimated to start in Autumn 2013.
Further, usage possibilities of the display module developed as a part of the OEMB device under the E-SIGNAGE project are not limited to the original OEMB device structure. Therefore, in order to widen the scope of possibly usable applications, the exploitation and dissemination activities of the project have targeted a display module with a user interface. A user interface means that the module can be easily integrated and relevant base software has already been developed. Such an approach guarantees a consequent wider impact of the E-SIGNAGE project on its participating SME partners as well as the overall market.
The following section discusses the impacts in more detail.
Potential Impact:
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The unsatisfied market demand led the partners of the E-SIGNAGE commonly develop an innovation that would enable using Outdoor Electronic Signage and Message Boards (OEMBs) in places where wiring to a power network is not possible and there is a need for economical transmission of graphical real-time electronic information with high device durability. The main market segments for the project outcome targeted by the SMEP-s include traffic information system displays and electronic traffic signs, real-time passenger information tables and electronic scoreboards.
Conventional OEMBs are, to a large extent, based on light emitting diode (LED) technologies and are able to create images of high picture quality (including excellent contrast and brightness level). Also, backlight liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma display panel displays (PDPs) are used for OEMBs. However, LED, backlight LCD and PDP displays are high power consuming, which hinders developing electrically autonomous permanent and/or built-in OEMBs. There are new emerging electronic paper (e-paper) technologies potentially suitable for OEMBs but most of them are still in the development phase and are not available on the market.
In consideration of the above display market and current expected state-of-the art of display technologies, the E-SIGNAGE project technology’s strengths are highly considerable in the public announcement display market for out-door and semi-out-door uses. Both superior sun light readability and tenacious environmental durability of the technology have good enough market penetration characteristics, giving the final E-SIGNAGE project result competitive advantages before currently available products. The E-SIGNAGE display’s random polarized light control system is best fit for a natural light source display.
Public announcement use of display systems represents an emerging market in conjunction with a total control system. The project partners aim to target applications such as retail signage, information boards for public transport stations, wayfinders, corporate welcome boards and other announcement boards. Products providing general info in large public areas (such as airports, train stations) are currently based on LED systems. The E-SIGNAGE display system has the possibility to be used as a stand-alone solution, which opens new market opportunities for the partners. In comparison, LED systems run on high power/consume much and are limited in resolution. The resolution is limited to a larger than 1.5 mm pitch due to its significant heat dissipation in order to have high enough screen luminance. A direct view LCD system has good enough resolution, however, due to its linear polarized light control nature, its light efficiency is less than 3% and power consumption is extremely high. A projection LCD system is good for very dark ambient light conditions such as night time, on the other hand, in bright sunlight ambient light conditions, its legibility is very poor. Therefore, it has been confirmed that the display modules based on Visitret’s and Canatu’s technologies could be successfully integrated into a wide range of different end products. These products will be brought to the market in collaboration with the end-users of the project.
Conclusively, the E-SIGNAGE technology based on a random polarized light reflection system such as sunlight and most of artificial light sources provides high light efficiency in both sunlight and specific illuminator ambient light conditions. Moreover, its light scattering based display principle allows an LCD compatible resolution.
The currently addressed markets require large, low power, outdoor suitable displays that represent a unique market opportunity for the display model provided by Visitret and Canatu. The E-SIGNAGE technology allows good enough market penetration and expansion of the emergent market in the public announcement category. It enables the partners to enter into the new market segments and therefore has a wide socio-economic impact thereof.
MAIN DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES AND EXPLOITATION OF RESULTS
Picture 1: E-SIGNAGE logotype
The main activities with a more far-reaching impact on the dissemination and exploitation of the E-SIGNAGE project results include the following.
Workshops for potential users, display module integrators and distributors
Four (4) workshops (WSH) were organized in May and June 2013 in Europe for primary and second-tier costumers and users.
WSH1 in Estonia, Tallinn: E-SIGNAGE Demonstrator presentation-workshop (audience: 15 people). The workshop targeted actual electronic display users, i.e. electronic display users in the public areas (advertisement, information boards), a local transport/traffic solutions provider G4S, potential investors and other clients interested in the new electronic display solutions. During the workshop Visitret introduced the project, further actions after the project end, and final product concepts, including the E-SIGNAGE demonstrators. The mentioned product concepts were also validated with the participants of the WSH.
WSH2 in Estonia, Tartu: E-SIGNAGE Demonstrator presentation-workshop (audience: 20 people). The workshop targeted actual electronic display users including Tartu local municipality authorities and other clients interested in the new electronic display solutions. During the workshop Visitret introduced the project, further actions after the project end, and final product concepts, including the E-SIGNAGE demonstrators.
WSH3 in Sweden, E-SIGNAGE partner POLTECH’s facilities: E-SIGNAGE Demonstrator presentation-workshop (audience: 3 people). The workshop included the end-user and integrator of Visitret’s and Canatu’s technology based display modules. During the workshop Visitret introduced the E-SIGNAGE demonstrators, validation of the product concept and feedback from industry experts, which Visitret should keep in mind during further technology development and market penetrations phases.
WSH4 in Sweden, E-SIGNAGE-D partner PRICER’s facilities: E-SIGNAGE Demonstrator presentation-workshop (audience: 4 people). Pricer is a large company acting in the worldwide retail market. The purpose of the visit was to introduce Visitret’s and Canatu’s technologies, technology capabilities and present the E-SIGNAGE demonstrators. As Pricer will be one of the project partners of the proposed follow-up DEMO project, further development and action plans were discussed in parallel.
Follow-up Demo project for the preparation of the market launch of the OEMB display module
The E-SIGANGE partners have proposed a follow-up project E-SIGNAGE-D to explore the market potential and prepare for the market launch of a widely usable outdoor electronic signage and message board (OEMB) display module based on a fundamentally new display technology in combination with transparent electrode front-plane layers. This exploration will be followed up by viability verification and market launch preparation activities for reducing the gap between the display demonstrator of E-SIGNAGE and the marketable OEMB display module. Further, pre-manufacturing activities have been planned as crucial for the actual market launch.
An OEMB display module with carbon nanomaterial based front-plane electrodes and on the flexible backplane substrate
Based on the above key achievements, the partners will exploit the OEMB module, wherein Visitret’s display technology based module is combined with Canatu’s front-plane transparent electrodes. Visitret’s and Canatu’s technologies have a major impact on the advertising and experimental segments of the high-growth 10.5 billion euro digital signage market.
Further, Visitret’s and Canatu’s technologies have more capabilities than the Public Information Displays segment requires. Below is a technology road map of Visitret where it can be seen that the economic impact is distributed between all high-growth Digital Signage market segments as both of the E-SIGNAGE partners (Visitret, Canatu) are extensively developing their technologies and working towards a flexible, unbreakable display film.
Figure 1: Technology roadmap and suitability for the Digital Signage market and the Flat Panel Display industry in general
Canatu has been able to demonstrate enhanced semiconducting carbon nanomaterial synthesis achieving up to 85% semiconduction material (up for approximately 67% previously) as well as a working flexible TFT backplane. The partners have confirmed that the backplane provided by Canatu is suitable for driving the Visitret’s display medium.
Drawing on the characteristics of Visitret’s display technology and Canatu’s capability, the partners will follow the development work towards producing a flexible display film. The EU 7th Framework Programme projects – E-SIGNAGE (2011-2013) and E-SIGNAGE-D (estimated to start in autumn 2013) – represent good starting points for both partners to enter the market with highly potential technologies.
In order to envisage the project objective and use of the developed results in the quickest possible way, the partners of E-SIGNAGE have designed attractive mock-up pictures of real-time passenger boards. More specifically, the main focus is the development of real-time and electrically autonomous public transportation announcement boards.
Picture 2: Mock-up of the envisaged real time bus station announcement board system
Picture 3: Mock-up of the envisaged real time bus station announcement board system
List of Websites:
The E-SIGNAGE partners have designed the project public website, operational from Month 9 onwards: http://esignage-project.eu/.
Main contact details:
Project Administrative Coordinator, Visitret Displays OÜ
Ms. Laura Päit
laura.pait@visitret.com
BENEFICIARY SMEP/RTDP CONTACT PERSON E-MAIL
Visitret Displays OU (Former business name until 04/02/2013: Invent Research OÜ) (Estonia) SMEP Laura Päit laura.pait@visitret.com
CANATU OY (Finland) SMEP Dr. David P. Brown David.Brown@canatu.com
A.C.I.S. AZIENDA COSTRUZIONI INSTALLAZIONI SEGNALETICHE SRL (Italy) SMEP Paolo Franceschini info@idea-re.net
POLTECH INFORMATION SYSTEM AB (Sweden) SMEP Johan Riesten johan.riesten@POLTECH.se
FSL ELECTRONICS LIMITED (UK/ Northern Ireland) SMEP John Meenan john.meenan@fslelectronics.com
TARTU ULIKOOL (Estonia) RTDP Prof. Jaak Järv jaak.jarv@ut.ee
KARUTEENED OU (Estonia) RTDP Tanel Luure tanel.luure@karuteened.ee
AALTO-KORKEAKOULUS (Finland) RTDP Toma Susi toma.susi@aalto.fi
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT (Finland) RTDP Ari Alastalo Ari.Alastalo@vtt.fi
The project “Electronic paper message board for outdoor use with carbon NanoBud display module and GPRS I/O layer” (E-SIGNAGE) aimed to develop a large area, low-cost, high contrast level, robust, energy efficient (bi-stable; no backlight needed), two-colour electronic outdoor message board that is able to receive data via GSM communication and uses solar energy as a power source.
The outdoor electronic signage and message board (OEMB) under development is based on an electrophoretic type of display technology provided by Visitret Displays OÜ (coordinator; SME, Estonia) and carbon nanomaterials (Carbon nanotubes and NanoBuds™) provided by Canatu (partner; SME, Finland). Both technologies have the principle capabilities to meet all the quality requirements set by the end-users of OEMB devices. The active layer produced using Visitret Display’s technology is highly robust, flexible, has high bi-stability, wide operating temperatures and low production costs. The transparent electrode front-plane layers and thin film transistor backplane layers from Canatu’s nanocarbon films are highly robust and flexible, have high carrier mobility, on-off ratios and exceptional optical properties such as high transparency, colour neutrality and excellent index matching. Moreover, Canatu’s Direct Dry Printing technology allows low cost, high volume production. Visitret Displays’ and Canatu’s materials in combination with the existing OEMB components enable the partners of the E-SIGNAGE proposal bring autonomous and good picture quality, large area OEMB applications to the market.
Still further, the display modules based on Visitret Display’s and Canatu’s technologies have a wider impact on the market than purely outdoor applications. The project partners of E-SIGNAGE have therefore decided to target the public information market where large, low power, autonomous displays are needed.
Project Context and Objectives:
The general objective of the project was to develop a large area, low-cost, high brightness and contrast level, robust, energy efficient (bi-stable; no backlight needed), high information content two-colour electronic outdoor message board that is able to receive data via GSM communication and uses solar energy as a power source.
The E-SIGNAGE project consisted of eight (8) work packages that each had separate objectives in addition to the above-referred general objective. Three main work packages relate to separate technology developments for an active layer (WP1), development of front-plane electrodes (WP2) and development of a backplane transistor (WP3). Approaching the final stage of the project, each of the work packages needed some practical adjustments for better alignment and correlation of the separate outcomes in order to maximize the total project result. Following, the display panel capabilities including contrast, reflectivity, information content and other characteristics are not only influenced by the active layer but great influence is posed by the display module including cell design, drive scheme, panel lamination methodology and materials used. Therefore, in the final stage of development, interactive and horizontal development among most of the work packages was conducted.
Consequently, design engineering (WP5) became one of the key work packages, wherein different demonstrator designs were tested for the active layer, tests for verifying the results of WP1, WP2 and WP3 were conducted, and several demonstrators (see below) were assembled. It was concluded that the display panel and the display module development requires a similar magnitude of effort as the active layer development, if not more. Also, the active layer and panel development cannot be separated from each other as they are very much interactive. Further, it was necessary and has been targeted by Visitret to have in the display panel/module development present all the novel aspects of technical development to ensure the free usability of the active layer.
Five important project results achieved include:
- Active layer (front-plane) production technology (WP1). An image creating active layer production technology was developed for the OEMB application. The preparation process of micro-balls with good enough reflectivity was achieved. The sustaining medium developed by Visitret enables to have a display panel with high contrast and brightness.
- Front-plane electrodes and backplane production technologies (WP2, WP3)
The partners were able to approximately double the transparency/conductivity performance of its transparent conductive films (40 ohm/sq for A6 sized films and 80 ohm/sq for A4-sized films) and to more than quadruple the production rate of CNB material and film. Canatu is now able to deposit 100 ohm/sq films at a rate of 5m2/day.
Regarding the backplane (WP3), Canatu was able to demonstrate enhanced semiconducting carbon nanomaterial synthesis achieving up to 85% semiconduction material (up for approximately 67% previously) as well as a working flexible TFT backplane.
- DCU design with control software with communication layers (WP4). Two-way data communication with user interface, capable of displaying text, still images, moving images software was developed. The software enables lower power consumption and has auto-update mechanism. During the project, the software was tested successfully by end-users and on-site.
- Embedded software of hardware components; System and demonstrator design (WP5). Different types of OEMB demonstrators were developed. WP5 was also in tight interaction with WP 1, where the partners developed different device hardware systems with Visitret’s active layer. In addition to Visitret’s technology, many conventional displays were tested and used for the OEMB demonstrators.
- Prototype for display performance confirmation (WP5 Task 5.6 outcome – D5.7). Overall display performance is dependent on multiple separate items (active layer, i.e. display medium, cell design including its process, and driving scheme of the display panel). Therefore, this particular task 5.6 had an equal weight with active layer development and driving scheme consideration. In this task 5.6 and its development time period, a specific cell design to draw out the intrinsic performance of the active layer and to create new display performance were targeted. Visitret Displays filed a patent application, Reference No. 70207, of cell design and its manufacturing as a result of the performed display device research and development.
In addition to the R&D work, final demonstrators of E-SIGNAGE, incorporating the developed software and hardware design, were tested by the project end-users and on site. Moreover, in the end of the project, during the dissemination activities, the partners introduced the project to a wider audience, gathered feedback from actual display users and demonstrated the results.
The final results and objectives were demonstrated through the following different types of demonstrators:
• An A2-sized display for an OEMB device driven by passive matrix,
• An A4-sized display for an OEMB device driven by direct drive,
• An 8-pixel sized direct drive test panel,
• A 4-pixel sized demonstrator based on Canatu’s CNB backplanes and Visitret’s active layer,
• An A5-sized demonstrator based on Canatu’s NanoBud frontplanes and Visitret’s active layer.
Project Results:
S&T RESULTS
The identified E-SIGNAGE project key results are the following:
• Active-layer and display module (developed and owned by Visitret Displays OÜ)
• Carbon nanomaterials based front-plane electrodes and backplane production technology (developed and owned by Canatu Oy)
The identified project key results (i.e. paper-like display material and carbon nanomaterial based front-plane electrodes) improve significantly the competitiveness level of display technology development of SME Visitret Displays and of printed flexible organic electronics of SME Canatu. The active layer as well as the display module itself used for outdoor electronic signage and message boards (OEMBs) devices is highly robust, has high bi-stability, wide operating temperatures and low production costs. Canatu’s nanocarbon films are highly robust and flexible, have low electrical resistance and exceptional optical properties such as high transparency, low haze, colour neutrality and excellent refractive index matching.
The key project achievements are described in more detail in the following sections.
Active layer and developed display module by Visitret Displays
One of the core and critical technologies of the E-SIGNAGE project is the development of a working electrophoretic display active layer. The display medium is based on switching particles sustained in the sustaining medium, wherein the particles are controlled by an electric field. During the development of the active layer it was confirmed that the initially planned LCD backplanes cannot be used with Visitret’s technology. The initial idea was to sandwich Visitret’s display medium between an LCD backplane, however, it could not be done technically. Therefore, there was a crucial need for the actual development of the display module. A display module development means that the mutual relationship between the display device design and the active layer performance is considered. The initial execution of the E-SIGNAGE project clarified the necessity of more concrete and practical level display performance factors including mutual electric capacitance influence on the display performance, display panel design influence on optical response time, contrast ratio, and so on. These findings reasonably lead to the identification of the need for a specific or custom design display panel structure, which could be used instead of the original consideration, in order to optimize and maximize the display image performance.
Therefore, one of the key achievements of the E-SIGNAGE project is a customized electrophoretic display module that can be integrated into a wide range of final products.
Carbon nanomaterials based front-plane electrodes and backplane production technology
Regarding the front plane electrode, in this project, Canatu and its partners (VTT and Aalto) were able to approximately double the transparency/conductivity performance of its transparent conductive films (40 ohm/sq for A6 sized films and 80 ohm/sq for A4 sized films) and to more than quadruple the production rate of CNB material and film. Canatu is now able to deposit 100 ohm/sq films at a rate of 5m2/day. Regarding the backplane, Canatu was able to demonstrate enhanced semiconducting carbon nanomaterial systhesis achieving up to 85% semiconduction material (up for approximately 67% previously) as well as a working flexible TFT backplane.
Based on the above-mentioned key results of the research and development project E-SIGNAGE, partners Visitret and Canatu have combined the two key technologies into one product – a display module. The display module with Visitret’s display technology combined with Canatu’s front-plane transparent electrodes has similar marketable characteristics as Visitret’s own technology – the electrophoretic display module. However, to date, the industry standard in transparent conductive oxides (TCO) is ITO, or tin-doped indium-oxide that is used in optoelectronic devices such as flat panel displays. ITO has the drawbacks of being expensive, brittle, yellow tinted and has a high index of refraction, leading to high reflection losses and low contrast without complicated and expensive stack structures. ITO has been shown to degrade with time when subject to mechanical stresses. High cost is also forcing many to look for alternatives. Carbon nanomaterials have shown the potential to replace traditional materials in the front-plane transparent electrode (TE) in display applications. To date, there are no transparent electrode materials available on the market, which could meet the performance, flexibility and robustness requirements for durable, and light transparent conducting films (TCFs). TCFs are optically transparent and electrically conductive in thin layers. The transparent electrode (TE), which conducts electricity but allows the image below to be viewed, is critical to the operation of the display module. This achievement clearly adds the display module more competitive advantages on the targeted markets and segments.
FOREGROUND
The research and technical development of the E-SIGNAGE project led to the establishment of new foreground, subject to protection by the SMEP-s Visitret and Canatu. A Plan for the Use and Dissemination of the Knowledge (D7.5 by Month 18) was set up, focusing on the market penetration of the display module and serving as a base for the E-SIGNAGE continuation project (“E-SIGNAGE-D”) activities, estimated to start in Autumn 2013.
Further, usage possibilities of the display module developed as a part of the OEMB device under the E-SIGNAGE project are not limited to the original OEMB device structure. Therefore, in order to widen the scope of possibly usable applications, the exploitation and dissemination activities of the project have targeted a display module with a user interface. A user interface means that the module can be easily integrated and relevant base software has already been developed. Such an approach guarantees a consequent wider impact of the E-SIGNAGE project on its participating SME partners as well as the overall market.
The following section discusses the impacts in more detail.
Potential Impact:
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The unsatisfied market demand led the partners of the E-SIGNAGE commonly develop an innovation that would enable using Outdoor Electronic Signage and Message Boards (OEMBs) in places where wiring to a power network is not possible and there is a need for economical transmission of graphical real-time electronic information with high device durability. The main market segments for the project outcome targeted by the SMEP-s include traffic information system displays and electronic traffic signs, real-time passenger information tables and electronic scoreboards.
Conventional OEMBs are, to a large extent, based on light emitting diode (LED) technologies and are able to create images of high picture quality (including excellent contrast and brightness level). Also, backlight liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma display panel displays (PDPs) are used for OEMBs. However, LED, backlight LCD and PDP displays are high power consuming, which hinders developing electrically autonomous permanent and/or built-in OEMBs. There are new emerging electronic paper (e-paper) technologies potentially suitable for OEMBs but most of them are still in the development phase and are not available on the market.
In consideration of the above display market and current expected state-of-the art of display technologies, the E-SIGNAGE project technology’s strengths are highly considerable in the public announcement display market for out-door and semi-out-door uses. Both superior sun light readability and tenacious environmental durability of the technology have good enough market penetration characteristics, giving the final E-SIGNAGE project result competitive advantages before currently available products. The E-SIGNAGE display’s random polarized light control system is best fit for a natural light source display.
Public announcement use of display systems represents an emerging market in conjunction with a total control system. The project partners aim to target applications such as retail signage, information boards for public transport stations, wayfinders, corporate welcome boards and other announcement boards. Products providing general info in large public areas (such as airports, train stations) are currently based on LED systems. The E-SIGNAGE display system has the possibility to be used as a stand-alone solution, which opens new market opportunities for the partners. In comparison, LED systems run on high power/consume much and are limited in resolution. The resolution is limited to a larger than 1.5 mm pitch due to its significant heat dissipation in order to have high enough screen luminance. A direct view LCD system has good enough resolution, however, due to its linear polarized light control nature, its light efficiency is less than 3% and power consumption is extremely high. A projection LCD system is good for very dark ambient light conditions such as night time, on the other hand, in bright sunlight ambient light conditions, its legibility is very poor. Therefore, it has been confirmed that the display modules based on Visitret’s and Canatu’s technologies could be successfully integrated into a wide range of different end products. These products will be brought to the market in collaboration with the end-users of the project.
Conclusively, the E-SIGNAGE technology based on a random polarized light reflection system such as sunlight and most of artificial light sources provides high light efficiency in both sunlight and specific illuminator ambient light conditions. Moreover, its light scattering based display principle allows an LCD compatible resolution.
The currently addressed markets require large, low power, outdoor suitable displays that represent a unique market opportunity for the display model provided by Visitret and Canatu. The E-SIGNAGE technology allows good enough market penetration and expansion of the emergent market in the public announcement category. It enables the partners to enter into the new market segments and therefore has a wide socio-economic impact thereof.
MAIN DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES AND EXPLOITATION OF RESULTS
Picture 1: E-SIGNAGE logotype
The main activities with a more far-reaching impact on the dissemination and exploitation of the E-SIGNAGE project results include the following.
Workshops for potential users, display module integrators and distributors
Four (4) workshops (WSH) were organized in May and June 2013 in Europe for primary and second-tier costumers and users.
WSH1 in Estonia, Tallinn: E-SIGNAGE Demonstrator presentation-workshop (audience: 15 people). The workshop targeted actual electronic display users, i.e. electronic display users in the public areas (advertisement, information boards), a local transport/traffic solutions provider G4S, potential investors and other clients interested in the new electronic display solutions. During the workshop Visitret introduced the project, further actions after the project end, and final product concepts, including the E-SIGNAGE demonstrators. The mentioned product concepts were also validated with the participants of the WSH.
WSH2 in Estonia, Tartu: E-SIGNAGE Demonstrator presentation-workshop (audience: 20 people). The workshop targeted actual electronic display users including Tartu local municipality authorities and other clients interested in the new electronic display solutions. During the workshop Visitret introduced the project, further actions after the project end, and final product concepts, including the E-SIGNAGE demonstrators.
WSH3 in Sweden, E-SIGNAGE partner POLTECH’s facilities: E-SIGNAGE Demonstrator presentation-workshop (audience: 3 people). The workshop included the end-user and integrator of Visitret’s and Canatu’s technology based display modules. During the workshop Visitret introduced the E-SIGNAGE demonstrators, validation of the product concept and feedback from industry experts, which Visitret should keep in mind during further technology development and market penetrations phases.
WSH4 in Sweden, E-SIGNAGE-D partner PRICER’s facilities: E-SIGNAGE Demonstrator presentation-workshop (audience: 4 people). Pricer is a large company acting in the worldwide retail market. The purpose of the visit was to introduce Visitret’s and Canatu’s technologies, technology capabilities and present the E-SIGNAGE demonstrators. As Pricer will be one of the project partners of the proposed follow-up DEMO project, further development and action plans were discussed in parallel.
Follow-up Demo project for the preparation of the market launch of the OEMB display module
The E-SIGANGE partners have proposed a follow-up project E-SIGNAGE-D to explore the market potential and prepare for the market launch of a widely usable outdoor electronic signage and message board (OEMB) display module based on a fundamentally new display technology in combination with transparent electrode front-plane layers. This exploration will be followed up by viability verification and market launch preparation activities for reducing the gap between the display demonstrator of E-SIGNAGE and the marketable OEMB display module. Further, pre-manufacturing activities have been planned as crucial for the actual market launch.
An OEMB display module with carbon nanomaterial based front-plane electrodes and on the flexible backplane substrate
Based on the above key achievements, the partners will exploit the OEMB module, wherein Visitret’s display technology based module is combined with Canatu’s front-plane transparent electrodes. Visitret’s and Canatu’s technologies have a major impact on the advertising and experimental segments of the high-growth 10.5 billion euro digital signage market.
Further, Visitret’s and Canatu’s technologies have more capabilities than the Public Information Displays segment requires. Below is a technology road map of Visitret where it can be seen that the economic impact is distributed between all high-growth Digital Signage market segments as both of the E-SIGNAGE partners (Visitret, Canatu) are extensively developing their technologies and working towards a flexible, unbreakable display film.
Figure 1: Technology roadmap and suitability for the Digital Signage market and the Flat Panel Display industry in general
Canatu has been able to demonstrate enhanced semiconducting carbon nanomaterial synthesis achieving up to 85% semiconduction material (up for approximately 67% previously) as well as a working flexible TFT backplane. The partners have confirmed that the backplane provided by Canatu is suitable for driving the Visitret’s display medium.
Drawing on the characteristics of Visitret’s display technology and Canatu’s capability, the partners will follow the development work towards producing a flexible display film. The EU 7th Framework Programme projects – E-SIGNAGE (2011-2013) and E-SIGNAGE-D (estimated to start in autumn 2013) – represent good starting points for both partners to enter the market with highly potential technologies.
In order to envisage the project objective and use of the developed results in the quickest possible way, the partners of E-SIGNAGE have designed attractive mock-up pictures of real-time passenger boards. More specifically, the main focus is the development of real-time and electrically autonomous public transportation announcement boards.
Picture 2: Mock-up of the envisaged real time bus station announcement board system
Picture 3: Mock-up of the envisaged real time bus station announcement board system
List of Websites:
The E-SIGNAGE partners have designed the project public website, operational from Month 9 onwards: http://esignage-project.eu/.
Main contact details:
Project Administrative Coordinator, Visitret Displays OÜ
Ms. Laura Päit
laura.pait@visitret.com
BENEFICIARY SMEP/RTDP CONTACT PERSON E-MAIL
Visitret Displays OU (Former business name until 04/02/2013: Invent Research OÜ) (Estonia) SMEP Laura Päit laura.pait@visitret.com
CANATU OY (Finland) SMEP Dr. David P. Brown David.Brown@canatu.com
A.C.I.S. AZIENDA COSTRUZIONI INSTALLAZIONI SEGNALETICHE SRL (Italy) SMEP Paolo Franceschini info@idea-re.net
POLTECH INFORMATION SYSTEM AB (Sweden) SMEP Johan Riesten johan.riesten@POLTECH.se
FSL ELECTRONICS LIMITED (UK/ Northern Ireland) SMEP John Meenan john.meenan@fslelectronics.com
TARTU ULIKOOL (Estonia) RTDP Prof. Jaak Järv jaak.jarv@ut.ee
KARUTEENED OU (Estonia) RTDP Tanel Luure tanel.luure@karuteened.ee
AALTO-KORKEAKOULUS (Finland) RTDP Toma Susi toma.susi@aalto.fi
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT (Finland) RTDP Ari Alastalo Ari.Alastalo@vtt.fi