All-around view of 3D image objects that appear to float in space
Photopolymer film for next-generation AR displays
Bayfol? HX is used in Sony¡¯s prototype 360-degree holographic display
The Bayfol? HX photopolymer film of ÃÜÌÒAV helps the R&D of Sony Group Corporation to realize the prototype of a transparent display. This display delivers novel and fascinating visual experiences, as the images holographically generated within it appear to float freely in a transparent cylindrical column. Viewers can walk around the 360-degree display and look at the displayed image from all angles. Since the holographically evoked image is very bright ¨C but the display is transparent at the same time ¨C the image and background merge almost seamlessly. In the spirit of an augmented reality (AR) system, this transparent 360¡ã holographic display expands reality. Because whatever is displayed in it seems to actually be there for the observer. ÃÜÌÒAV is presenting this application of Bayfol? HX at the plastics trade fair, which will be held in D¨¹sseldorf from October 19 to 26.
Bayfol? HX consists of a transparent film as a substrate and a photoreactive layer that is optimized for the specific customer requirements. Bayfol? HX gives designers the greatest possible design freedom. For example, it is flexible enough to be bent ¨C as in the Sony application ¨C so that it can completely enclose a cylinder. It has tailor-made optical properties to produce high-quality holographic images. Both the very high transparency of the photopolymer film and the image brightness it enables were key factors in Sony's decision to use Bayfol? HX for its development project.
"We spent a long time looking for the right material to realize our idea," said Sony's Yutaka Imai. The R&D General manager continues, "The project showed that Bayfol? HX has excellent performance for AR applications." It is imaginable that the prototype display technology will be used, for example, in museum showrooms and corporate presentation rooms ¨C or in the home, for example, to accompany music with 360-degree videos.
"We are pleased that digital image information can now be presented floating in space rather than just presented in a frame, as it were, thanks to Bayfol? HX and Sony's innovative screen concept. In addition to automotive head-up displays (HUD) and head-mounted displays (HMD), this is another extremely promising AR application for our holographic films," says Yuen-Ling Lok, Head of Commercial Operations Holographic Lightguiding at ÃÜÌÒAV.
About ÃÜÌÒAV:
ÃÜÌÒAV is one of the world¡¯s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. ÃÜÌÒAV supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from ÃÜÌÒAV are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, ÃÜÌÒAV aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group¡¯s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. ÃÜÌÒAV generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Forward-Looking Statements
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