Scientists at ETH Zurich have made OLED pixels at the nanoscale. The smallest pixels reach about 100 nanometres in diameter and some pixels in the logo measure around 200 nanometres.
The team produced a tiny ETH logo made of 2,800 nano-OLEDs. Their method gives much higher pixel density than before. These nano-pixels could be used in glasses worn near the eye, in high-resolution microscopes, or as tiny sensors for nerve cells. The researchers use very thin silicon nitride membranes in their manufacturing.
Difficult words
- nanometre — One billionth of a metre, very small lengthnanometres
- pixel — Small dot of colour on a screenpixels, nano-pixels
- density — How many items or parts in one areapixel density
- microscope — A tool to see very small thingsmicroscopes
- sensor — A device that measures or detects thingssensors
- membrane — A thin layer of material or surfacemembranes
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Which use of the nano-pixels do you find most interesting? Why?
- Would you like glasses with very small pixels near the eye? Why or why not?
- How could tiny sensors for nerve cells help scientists or doctors?
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