New Plumage

Bio-Inspired Color Displays

Qualcomm (QCOM) engineers have developed the nature-inspired mirasol display, which conveys color in a manner similar to the way a butterfly shows off its brightly colored wings or a peacock displays its plumage. Rather than showing pigmented pixels, these displays contain tiny structures that variably reflect light in such a way that specific wavelengths of light interfere with one another to create vivid colors. The technology could help cell phones and other electronics reduce their power consumption. Last October, Audiovox (VOXX) began using the technology in its Bluetooth stereo headsets.