UC Engineer Sheds Light on Electronic Readers with IEEE Cover Story

   For a look into the future of electronics, the University of Cincinnati watches up-and-coming researcher Jason Heikenfeld, associate professor of electrical engineering in the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS). This month he shares his flashes of insight with the world in the cover story of “Spectrum,” the flagship publication of IEEE (formerly called the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

'Kindle, iPad, Droid—these compact mobile devices are essentially all display. But the screens aren't all we'd like them to be. Yet.'

The technology behind electronic readers and e-paper is just one of the many areas of Heikenfeld’s research. At the moment it is just getting a lot of attention, thanks to Amazon, Sony and others.

"Electronic or e-paper like the Kindle is a really hot topic, with additional buzz about the iPad in some ways creating more questions than answers when it comes to how we will interface with digital publishing," Heikenfeld says. "The questions are not whether or not we will continue to move from paper to electronics — that is inevitable from both a green and convenience standpoint. The big question is whether we will have magazine thin and flexible e-readers that look just like paper, even in sunlight. This article attempts to hone in on the future a bit."

In "Lite, Brite Displays: the Electronic Display of the Future," Heikenfeld writes about the future of periodical delivery in a variety of environments. His words are of interest not only to electronophiles, but also those who follow trends in the publishing industry. Heikenfeld continues his 2020 scenario, adding, "That’s my vision of the future of periodical literature—or rather, the future of periodical delivery."


Read more about Jason Heikenfeld’s research:

Make Brighter, Full-Color Electronic Readers? — Brilliant!
Electrofluidic Display Technology developed at the University of Cincinnati puts electronic book readers ahead by a wide margin.

Signs of Things to Come in Display Technology
In the home of the history of signs, the University of Cincinnati and Transitions Digital Graphics unveiled the future of sign technology.

Dynamic See-Through Display Technology Sheds Light on Sign Industry
UC and Transitions Digital Graphics introduce a novel transparent and emissive signage technology/product, a major innovation and entirely new medium for architectural design.

Listen to Jason Heikenfeld's Interview with WVXU's Ann Thompson on Focus on Technology