Printed Speakers
HSINCHU, Taiwan—Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), a high-tech research and development institution, has introduced FleXpeaker, a paper-thin flexible speaker technology. Researchers at ITRI devised a way to create arrays of tiny, bendable speakers that can be combined to produce high-fidelity speaker systems of almost any size using standard printing.
Because FleXpeaker is flexible in size, lightweight, and consumes less power, this disruptive technology can be used in car audio systems, flat-screen televisions, thin-sheet MP3 innovative applications, and advertising. Additionally, it can be integrated into and extended to energy-saving buildings, electric vehicles, and entertainment and medical applications. Through special integration technology, FleXpeaker can also be incorporated into wearable clothing, wallpaper, and consumer packaging.
"We plan to carry out technology transfer of large-size paper-thin flexible speaker mass production by early 2010 and complete R&D of the flexible transparent speakers in plastic material by 2010," says General Director Dr. Yi-Jen Chan. "ITRI is seeking to license the technology or create a spin-off company to commercialize the product." pP
