GIMOD

Displays are the component in electronics that consume more power. Portable devices like gadgets for virtual /augmented reality (VR/AR) intensively drag electricity from batteries to convert it into light so images and videos are created, but such consumption limits the service life and user experience. Alternatively, reflective-type displays (like those in e-book readers) consume little power although cannot provide colorful images nor fast frame rates to reproduce videos. VR/AR displays have requirements that standard technologies (microLED, OLED, LCD) cannot meet: higher resolution displays with smaller pixels that can change their color faster and with less power. SCALE Nanotech has the solution.

GIMOD technology

A Graphene Interferometric MOdulator Display (GIMOD) is a reflective-type display (e-paper) whose pixels are mechanical micro-mirrors that tune the white light to show natural colors. The electrically-controlled pixels are semitransparent membranes that modulate the ambient light without using power to generate light while having great contrast in bright environments, thus cutting down the average power consumption in display devices. GIMOD pixels are also ultra-small, enabling the ultimate resolution in VR displays for a truly-real virtual experience.

Graphene powered

Graphene is the thinnest and strongest material known, which makes it suitable for mechanical micro-devices. As graphene is also a great electrical conductor, it can be moved with small voltages. Graphene is semitransparent, allowing part of the light to go through. These properties make graphene the best material for mechanical pixels as successfully demonstrated with prototypes in the Mobile World Congress 2017.

GIMOD vs IMOD

GIMOD is a breakthrough and over-performing substitute of IMOD, the predecessor technology developed by Qualcomm MEMS under the Mirasol trademark and bought by Apple in 2015. Mirasol displays are present in products such as the smartwatch Qualcomm Toq. Mirasol pixels are made of silicon materials and metal surfaces, making them thick and heavy. In contrast, GIMOD pixels are so thin and weightless that enable high frame rates with low power consumption. The thickness also determines how small a pixel can be: GIMOD technology can go beyond 12K resolution! These attributes are exactly the missing requirements that portable VR visors lack of in the present. Moreover, GIMOD acts as a technology platform for other photonic components that have applications in Industry 4.0 and New Space.

GIMOD consortium

GIMOD technology has been recognized as a breakthrough innovation by H2020’s ATTRACT project. GIMOD consortium, coordinated by SCALE Nanotech and provided by Graphenea Semiconductor, was awarded 100k€ to optimize the technology and bring it to a TRL 7: Graphenea’s high-quality graphene material is integrated into GIMOD prototypes designed with SCALE’s know-how and hands-on R&D skills. Together we possess a strong network of scientific collaborators and industrial partners in Europe with some important contacts in USA and Asia. GIMOD technology spins out from the European Commission’s Graphene Flagship and aims to generate a social return by bringing this European technology to the global market in 2-3 years.