LG Unveils World’s First Stretchable High-Res Display That Expands By Up To 20%

Ever wished you could just stretch your television or monitor screen ever so slightly to get the perfect viewing experience? That could be a reality in the near future, with LG Display recently introducing the world’s first high-resolution stretchable display. 

Amazingly, the flexible 12-inch screen can be extended, folded, and twisted without distortion or damage and can expand up to 20% larger when stretched. 

According to the firm, this new display is the first in the industry to achieve such stretchability, not to mention it boasts a 100ppi resolution with full-color RGB to boot. 

How exactly can a screen be turned and twisted without being damaged? It appears the company took inspiration from contact lenses, using the same film-type substance made out of special silicon. 

As such, the screen has a “rubber band-like flexibility” that allows it to go from 12 inches to 14 inches with a pull. Plus, its free-form nature will enable it to be used in myriad ways, even more so than existing foldable and rollable screens in the market. 

Furthermore, LG Display said its screen uses a micro-LED light source with a pixel pitch of under 40μm, enabling it to withstand sizeable external impacts while maintaining its durability, so you can fold it as many times as you want. 

Apart from acting as a flexible screen, the lightweight display can do lots more. For example, it could be attached to any curved surface, including clothing, furniture, automobiles, and even skin—opening the doors to a new world of wearable technology. 

“We will successfully complete this project to enhance the competitiveness of Korean display technology while continuing to lead the industry’s paradigm shift,” promised LG Display CTO Soo-young Yoon.

[via Engadget and LG Display, images via LG Display]