What is e-paper?

It stands for electronic paper. It is a very thin, flexible display unit that uses no light source and therefore less energy. This also means no eye fatigue to the user. The technology is more rugged than most alternatives.

The version I am promoting would be coupled with a solar cell, an information exchange periphery (to exchange files via other e-paper and computers) and be a cheap as a basic calculator. The use of natural materials would be given the first chance. They would replace text books for children, be a platform on which to practice writing and be able to receive daily information.

Todays high tech market is concentrating on synergy of internet, telephone and T.V platforms. The work on such screens for the future market is thus on going, with the emphasis on resolution, colour and refresh times to be able to play video. This is overkill for the worlds poor and ecological minded not to mention that it is more costly. The high tech market is targeting the rich. My version is targeting the masses of the under developed digital divide.

A not for profit R&D and manufacturing company with a missionary style (sliding scale) dissemination of product.

Research into the patents of various similar technologies. Brainstorming on alternate designs. Development of criteria to meet the needs of most of the worlds poor. An ongoing collection (list) of organisations and individuals that may be interested in supporting the cause.

0 - 1 years - Information gathering, fund raising, material gathering and preliminary tests.

1 - 3 years - Prototype building and testing. Deciding and compiling texts to include in e-paper when ready for manufacturing.

3 - 5 years - Establishing a manufacturing operation and distribution network.

5 years to infinity - Providing every person with e-paper in order to enrich their lives with limited damage to the planet.

$75,000 for collection of further patents and tests and the building of a prototype.

For production costs there are too many variables to date that could affect a realistic estimate.

Donations and grants from various organisations and governments world wide. Eventually self sustaining as price drops and production efficiency increases.

Technological hurdles of any new technology exist, however the pieces of the puzzle have all been realised before - it’s a matter of getting them all together to work the way we intend. Finding ways to produce for a dollar a unit may be an obstacle to keep in mind.

The largest risk will be the possible shutting down of the project from numerous industries such as publishing, media, pulp and paper and even the computer industry to name a few. A guerrilla type distribution will probably be the best strategy around them.

Closing feasibility and impact statement

Partly real aspirations and partly publicity stunt, the computer industry in the 80's promised a paperless office, but human ergonomics were not part of that equation. The truth is that people print because no one likes to look at a monitor screen for long periods of time and it is not easily portable either. The e-paper I envision could truly replace as much as 50% of current paper demand, curb drastically future demand in developing countries and bring information to the worlds poor all at once.

Original research on e-paper began in the 1970s however the e-paper being promised in the marketplace today is beefed up, expensive and needs the aid of printer style machines to convert the pages.

The social aspect of this technology for humanitarian causes has been either overlooked or down played. It is this possibility I want to develop. Better for the environment, better for education, better for free and uncontrolled information sharing.