Discovery News has a recent write-up on the upcoming release of e-paper. It’s not exactly paper, but it’s close… a Kindle-like screen on a flexible membrane that is thin – paper thin.
Post writer Tracy Staedter dreams a bit about a book made of e-paper, which she’d prefer over a Kindle or other e-reader. I’m thinking a whole book of the stuff might be a bit expensive – at first. With all such things the price will go down and the capabilities will go up over time, so she might actually get to read such a book.
Thinking ahead, I’m wondering what other applications such flexible screens might have. What we’ll probably see with e-paper is not exactly what we might first expect. I imagine it will mostly be used as an appliqué on hard, irregular surfaces, allowing anything to become a computer screen. Imagine walking into a store and seeing your own face appear on mannequins… well, that might be a bit too creepy, but I think you get the idea. E-paper makes putting digital content on anything and everything possible.
So, let’s put on our thinking caps… what types of products do you think will soon incorporate e-paper? Where would you like to see it used?
EDC
Edward D. Casey 
I can see lots of potential here for engineering applications. Having a e-paper map would be nice for evaluating power line circuits or a technician looking at a schematic to make repairs or to troubleshoot. Great post.