Earlier this week in Korea, Samsung demonstrated a working e-paper display, or more accurately, a color active matrix electrophoretic display (EPD) and the world's first to use carbon nanotubes. At 14.3 inches, it is among the largest e-paper displays in existence. Developed in conjunction with Unidym, which created the carbon nanotubes for the prototype, the display is energy-efficient and doesn't require backlighting while remaining highly visible under direct sunlight. As with other e-paper displays, images are retained on the screen without requiring energy to constantly refresh it.

The EPD display can be used in mobile electronics devices such as cellphones and portable media players in addition to thin e-paper devices, where its low-energy consumption will help extend battery life as well as make for a legible display in bright, outdoor conditions.

This latest display demonstrates the progress Samsung has made since May, when the company showed another world first: a 2.3-inch black and white active matrix EPD made with carbon nanotubes. [via Gizmag]