Zytronic demonstrates invisible power transfer through glass and its latest contactless touch sensor technology at Touch Taiwan 2021

Touch Taiwan 2021

21-23 April 2021

Stand #N020

Zytronic will showcase two proprietary technologies designed to revolutionise power delivery and contactless sensing at Touch Taiwan in Taipei, 21-23 April 2021. Visitors to Zytronic’s stand N020 will see live demonstrations of how the ElectroglaZ™ and award-winning ZyBrid® hover technologies can enhance the industrial design, architecture, lighting and arts sectors. They will also experience a real-life example demonstrating how a highly-customised ZyBrid® touchscreen can be used to great effect in the hospitality industry. Chris Su, Zytronic’s Regional Manager, will be on the stand throughout the show to share expert advice and discuss how these products can help solve visitors’ technical challenges.

ElectroglaZ™ is an innovative method of delivering electricity through glass. The patent-pending technology enables multiple low-power (<50V DC) devices to be embedded within and powered ‘invisibly’ through a laminated glass panel without the need for any additional wires or cables. This opens new opportunities for a range of applications such as LED-lit display cases, shelving units and tables in museums, art galleries and retail stores. The technology can also deliver power to other devices, including USB sockets, induction charging pads, motors, fans, cameras, sensors, and small displays.

“ElectroglaZ™ can also be combined with Zytronic’s patented multitouch projected capacitive technology (MPCT™) to enable multi-user touch interactivity and tangible object recognition in smart tables and other design-led furniture,” says Mr. Su.

Drawing on Zytronic’s half-century of experience in precision glass lamination and machining, the technology is a bespoke, optically clear bonding of two or more highly conductive transparent toughened glass panels. This arrangement allows the transfer of power across the inner conductive coatings within the insulated surfaces of the laminate. To tap into the power, small apertures, typically 30 to 100mm, are machined into the laminated glass by Zytronic, where the customer’s connection and electrical device or assembly fits and connects to the positively and negatively charged inner coatings. A 1mm wide printed conductive busbar around the perimeter of the glass is applied to enable the connection of an external power supply to the laminate.

Mr. Su will also demonstrate how Zytronic’s ZyBrid® hover contactless sensing technology can help make touchscreen interactions more hygienic by detecting user interactions from over 30mm above the surface of the glass.

“This capability is vital in helping mitigate public anxiety in the post-COVID19 landscape when it comes to using self-service touchscreens, for example, in elevators,” says Mr. Su. ”Unlike traditional control panels that typically rely on mechanical buttons that are difficult to clean, or conventional touchscreens which require contact, a display overlaid with a completely flat, easy to clean glass ZyBrid® hover touch sensor requires no direct contact with the surface.”

ZyBrid® hover can switch between direct touch or contactless mode if required. In direct touch mode, the glass sensor overlay can be quickly and hygienically cleaned. In ‘hover’ mode, user interactions can be detected 30mm or more away from the surface of the glass. The projected capacitive, or PCAP, touch technology used in the ZyBrid® hover sensor only responds to a finger (or conductive stylus), even if the user is wearing thick work gloves. Meanwhile, it is unresponsive to ‘false’ or accidental touches such as a sleeve, tie, or handbag, making it ideal for high use, self-service applications.

Showcased on the stand for the first time and kindly provided by Zytronic’s customer and leading display specialist Litemax will be a round 33’’ touch table. Designed for use in public venues such as restaurants and bars, the table’s interactive surface uses a specially developed, circular ZyBrid® multitouch sensor, which delivers an enhanced customer experience.

Visitors to the Innolux stand (L1017) will also be able to see a 13” multi-haptics display, which incorporates Zytronic’s ZyBrid® multitouch sensor. The 4mm glass touch sensor integrates touch-driven haptics for vibrotactile feedback and Zytronic’s precision-machined 3D surface features to help guide users fingertips. By eliminating conventional, mechanical buttons, this architecture improves the display unit’s reliability, hygiene and security, and it is also suitable for use in public spaces.

Mr. Su will be at the Zytronic stand (#N020) throughout the exhibition; if you would like to make an appointment, please email: chris.su@zytronic.co.uk

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