New tech could make it easier to swipe right.
How many of you have lost soft finger tissue thanks to a cracked smart phone screen?
Smartphones have come a long way in terms of design, performance, and functionality since the first iPhone hit the shelves on June 29, 2007. However, there’s one aspect of these devices that still leaves users longing for innovation — the fragility of their screens.
This constant threat (phones ain’t cheap) of cracks and scratches has led to a persistent desire for self-repairing screens. Hopes for this technology might come true by 2028, according to analyst company CCS Insight.
CCS Insight’s predictions for the tech industry in 2024 and beyond include a tantalizing revelation: the advent of self-repairing screens in consumer devices. These screens would have the remarkable ability to mend minor damages such as scratches and dents. This technology is anticipated to emerge within the next five years. The mechanics behind this concept involve a nano-coating applied to the screen’s surface. When the display is scratched, the coating reacts with the air to generate new material, filling in the imperfection.
While this technology wouldn’t be capable of fixing large visible cracks, it promises to address the everyday nicks and scratches incurred by smartphones during their typical usage. This could potentially transform the user experience by eliminating the need for screen protectors and costly repairs.
CCS Insight expresses confidence that self-repairing screens will become a reality before 2028. The responsibility may fall on the shoulders of a smartphone manufacturer or a renowned glass manufacturer like Corning. This anticipation is undoubtedly exciting for consumers who have grown tired of dealing with cracked and scratched screens on their beloved devices.
The concept of self-repairing screens isn’t entirely new. Over the years, several attempts have been made to develop this innovative technology, although the results have been mixed.
In 2013, LG introduced the G Flex, a smartphone with a vertically curved, flexible screen boasting a self-repairing coating on the back cover. Unfortunately, the technology’s performance was far from impressive. The same approach was used in the 2015 G Flex 2, with equally underwhelming results. Repair times were often excessively long, and the technology sometimes failed altogether.
In 2017, Motorola patented the use of a “shape memory polymer” to enable screens to repair themselves through thermal cycling, which involves rapidly changing the material’s temperature. The heat necessary for this process could be provided by the smartphone itself, eliminating the need for external heat sources. While promising, this technology has yet to make its way into consumer products.
A noteworthy breakthrough occurred in 2017 when Japanese scientists discovered a unique type of glass that could heal itself from cracks at room temperature. This glass was reportedly capable of repairing a phone screen with just manual pressure. While this was an exciting development, it hasn’t yet become a standard feature in the smartphone market.
Even Apple has shown interest in self-repairing screens, as evidenced by a patent granted in 2020 for a folding iPhone with a display capable of self-healing. While Apple’s involvement adds a touch of credibility to the concept, the implementation is yet to be seen in the market.
The prospect of self-repairing smartphone screens is long-awaited by consumers. Applying nano-coating to facilitate self-repair is an innovation that, if successful, could revolutionize the mobile technology industry.
