In a groundbreaking development in display technology, researchers from esteemed institutions, including Chalmers University of Technology, Uppsala University, and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, have unveiled an innovative screen design that features the smallest pixels ever created. This extraordinary technological advancement is documented in an article published in the journal Nature. The design incorporates ultrahigh-resolution submicrometre pixels that are inspired by the intricate architecture of the human retina. This remarkable fusion of science and technology culminates in a display system that promises resolution high enough for the human eye to perceive clearly, transcending previous limitations in visual clarity.
The team has harnessed the remarkable capabilities of nanoparticles, which play a critical role in the modulation of color and brightness of the pixels. These nanoparticles, whose arrangement and dimensions intricately control light scattering, allow for electrical tuning of optical properties. By manipulating these characteristics, the researchers have achieved a breakthrough that could pave the way for screens that transport viewers into virtual realms indistinguishable from reality.
As contemporary society becomes increasingly reliant on sophisticated forms of communication and information exchange, the demand for high-fidelity visual representation grows ever more pressing. Kunli Xiong, an Associate Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University and lead author of the study, remarked on the adaptability and transformative potential that this technology represents for interaction with our environment and information systems. This advancement could facilitate enhanced creativity, more efficient remote collaboration, and rapid scientific advancements as well.
The essence of resolution is derived from the size and quantity of pixels. This innovation addresses challenges previously faced in virtual and augmented reality applications, where the proximity of screens to the eye has often highlighted the limitations of current pixel size. For example, traditional micro-LED screens exhibit subpar performance with pixels smaller than one micrometre. However, the retina E-paper introduced in this research presents pixels measuring approximately 560 nanometres. The small screen area, roughly comparable to the average human pupil, boasts an astonishing resolution of over 25,000 pixels per inch (ppi).
Andreas Dahlin, a professor at Chalmers University’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, adds weight to this discovery by indicating that each pixel corresponds closely to a singular photoreceptor in the human eye. This correspondence elucidates that humans cannot discern resolutions beyond this specified threshold, marking a pivotal moment in visual display technology advancement.
One of the most striking features of the retina E-paper display is its ability to be positioned extraordinarily close to the viewer’s eye. To validate the effectiveness of this innovative technology, researchers successfully recreated Gustav Klimt’s famous artwork, ‘The Kiss,’ over a surface area comparable to a diminutive 1.4 by 1.9 millimetres. This astonishing feat illustrates that the representation of such intricate artwork can be achieved at a fraction (1/4000th) of the size typically associated with standard smartphone displays.
Reflective screens have historically functioned under passive technology, lacking inherent light sources. The retina E-paper follows a familiar principle: ambient light hits the meticulously crafted surface structures, causing color to reflect and produce vibrant images. This passive design, coupled with an innovative approach inspired by the vibrant plumage of certain bird species, offers an energy-efficient alternative to traditional active displays. The tiny pixels comprise tungsten oxide particles and their effective size manipulation allows for color generation across the spectrum from red, green, and blue to all conceivable colors.
Moreover, by applying a controlled weak voltage, the coloring mechanism can be toggled off, transforming the particles into a uniform black. This mechanism further enhances the energy efficiency of the technology while simultaneously offering powerful adaptability for various use cases.
Giovanni Volpe, a professor at the University of Gothenburg’s Department of Physics, expressed optimism regarding this technology’s potential to minimize the size of displays while concurrently improving quality and achieving greater energy efficiency. He acknowledged that while additional fine-tuning is necessary, the retina E-paper stands poised to revolutionize the field of display technology and may ultimately have a profound impact on society as a whole.
With the increasing emergence of applications demanding high-resolution images and videos, particularly within augmented and virtual reality realms, the retina E-paper could indeed redefine user experiences across various fields. It opens up promising avenues for everything from entertainment and gaming to educational applications and medical imaging.
The publication in Nature details the study led by researchers Ade Satria Saloka Santosa, Yu-Wei Chang, Andreas B. Dahlin, Lars Österlund, Giovanni Volpe, and Kunli Xiong, each of whom contributed invaluable expertise during the research process. The undertaking was made possible through the support of the Swedish Research Council, the Horizon Europe ERC Consolidator Grant MAPEI, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and STINT’s “Nanochromism” program, securing vital funding for groundbreaking studies.
This advancement could fundamentally alter our interaction with digital environments, suggesting a future where displays offer a far richer visual palette than current technologies allow. We stand at the cusp of a new era in screen design, thanks to the inspiring work of these dedicated researchers and the collaborative spirit shaping modern scientific achievement.
In sum, the realm of display technology is on the verge of transformation, ushering in possibilities that blend the boundaries between the virtual and the tangible. As we anticipate further developments in this area, it is essential to stay attuned to the implications of such technological innovations and the ways they interact with our everyday lives.
Subject of Research: Display Technology
Article Title: Video-rate tunable colour electronic paper with human resolution
News Publication Date: 22-Oct-2025
Web References: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09642-3
References: Not applicable
Image Credits: Credit: Nature
Keywords
Display technology; Pixel counting; Electronic paper; Human resolution; Augmented reality; Virtual reality; Nanoparticles; Energy efficiency; Reflective screens; Optical properties; Tungsten oxide; Ambient light.
