Diamond Coatings industry-leading ITO touch screen technology is easily produced and incredibly versatile, enabling some of the incredible touchscreen-based technology we see in our everyday lives.
Touch screens have quickly become a big part of our lives and can be found wherever we go. smartphones, laptops, tablets, place screens and cashpoints are just a few examples of the touch screens we encounter daily.
There are many different types of touch screens, obviously varying in shape and size but also in their design and how they identify touch. Applications of various touch screens depend on the device, price point and application. Most commonly found in smartphones, the technology works by detecting changes in electrical current on the screen caused by our fingers. Systems also exist that monitor reflection of sound and light waves, vibration, and light and shadow moving across the screen.
However, the most used design in consumer electronics utilises an ITO coating to monitor perturbations in electrical current on a conductive layer within the screen. To achieve this, these devices need a very fine, transparent material with high conductivity. The material also has to be durable enough to handle the harsh environment smartphones are exposed to on a daily basis.
Diamond Coatings and ITO Applications
Diamond Coatings are the leading ITO touch panel manufacturers in the UK, able to provide anything from development to production volumes in resistive and capacitive touch screens. They offer sizes up to 1,000 mm x 1,000 mm, screens can be produced on plastic (flexible or rigid) or glass, and produced with additional anti-glare and/or other required finishes.
ITO is not just used for touch screens, its fantastic properties have created a huge global demand in the following technologies:
- Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
- Plasma Screens
- Electronic ink applications
- LEDs
- Organic LEDs
- Touch screens
- Solar Cells / Photovoltaics
- Heated windscreens and mirrors
- Sensor coatings
- Strain gauges
- and many more…
The Future of Touch Screen Technology
Despite feeling like touch screens have been around for years and years, they are actually fairly new. The mainstream utilisation of touch screens is still in its infancy stage and is destined to soar to new heights in the next decade.
As technologies behind the touch screens have advanced, most notably the application of ITO technology, so have the possibilities and potential applications. For example, touch screens can now support multi-touch and pressure touch gestures.
A great example of the future of touch screen technology is touch walls. While expensive for the time being, large venues such as museums and education environments have started experimenting with touch walls in recent years.
In terms of larger commercial screens, many have argued that the future of touch screen technology simply involves slowly mimicking or catching up to advanced smartphone touch screen tech. Haptic feedback is one way in which these larger screens are trying to catch up. It is a challenge to apply vibration to larger screens because of the energy and space needed in tightly weather sealed screens.
Larger technology companies obviously see the future of touchscreen technology in the home. Applications have long been teased of touch screen tech moving to the front of your fridge or even your walls.
It can’t be denied that touch screen technology is quickly being applied into every facet of our daily lives, and while we may have a good idea of what the future holds, it’s likely that we’re in for some surprises.
To find out more about our production process and our various products please get in touch with us today.