Peratech unveils technology for larger touch screens

A UK firm is promising to enable larger multi-touch displays with low power consumption by exploiting materials known as quantum tunnelling composites (QTCs).

Peratech Limited said it has developed a transparent version of its QTC material called QTC Clear, producing a force-sensitive panel that is very similar in transparency to existing touch screen technologies.

The firm claimed it could replace resistive and capacitive screens in devices such as tablets

According to Peratech chief executive Philip Taysom, both resistive and capacitive touch screen technologies have their drawbacks. Resistive screens tend not to be very accurate and do not support multi-touch input, while capacitive displays consume more power and so are usually restricted to smaller screen sizes such as those of smartphones.

Meanwhile, QTC Clear can be made in any size and provides multi-touch input with high sensitivity with great accuracy and ultra low power consumption, Peratech said. It also offers another dimension in its ability to measure pressure.

The material itself is an electro-active polymer, made up of conductive particles in an elastomeric binder. This is just six to eight micrometres thick, but sandwiched between two layers of indium tin oxide plus two hard outer sheets, typically made of glass.

Peratech does not manufacture QTC Clear itself, but said it has already licensed the material to a leading touch screen manufacturer.