In 2013, MIT forecasted that holographic televisions could be in living rooms in the next 10 years at the price of today’s two-dimensional sets. Technology being developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Lab, said Michael Bove, head of the lab’s Object-Based Media Group.
The lab, known for inventing the technology behind electronic ink, has created a holographic chip that can support the display of more than 50 gigapixels per second and simulate real-life objects by bending projected light in a continuous range of directions, eliminating the need for three-dimensional glasses.
Samsung is the world’s biggest seller of 3-D televisions with 27 percent of the market, followed by LG with 17.6 percent, according to researcher NPD DisplaySearch. Sales of such TVs are expected to reach $47.3 billion this year and are projected to increase 26 percent to $59.7 billion in 2016, NPD said.
Materials are being developed for mass market hologram systems
It is clear that there exist a large number of potential applications for volume holographic materials, if the appropriate material can be developed along with equipment and processes for mass replication. The development of mass replication cannot occur in the absence of a suitable volume holographic material. To achieve sustainable, broad commercialization of volume holography, bo th of these critical facet s are needed. Here, we describe the development of a next-generation photopolymer material th at we believe is well suited to address this unmet need in the marketplace. These new materials offer no chemical or thermal processing , high transparency, high resolution, environmental stability and low shrinkage and detuning. The ease of handling, coupled with their strong holographic performance makes these materials well suited to enable a broad commercial breakthrough in volume holography.
Experimental films are produced as of 2013 on a pilot-scale roll-to-roll coating machine. These sample holographic films are typically produced with photopolymer thickness between 10 and 60 μ m. Our standard substrate is a 175 μ m thick, low birefringence polycarbonate film. Because of the size of the coating machine, our typical coated width is 20 cm; however, Bayer Material Science anticipates producing holographic film product at widths up to 160 cm.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
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