LCDs are used in computer monitors, televisions, instrument panels, watches, and other electronic devices. They work by using liquid crystals that can change their light-transmitting properties with the application of electricity. LCDs have several advantages over older CRT displays, including being smaller, lighter, more power efficient, and generating higher quality images. They were invented in the late 1960s but required stable liquid crystal materials to become suitable for mass production. Modern LCDs use color subpixels and high resolutions like 1080p to create detailed, lifelike images.

1. LCD The Liquid Crystal Display

2. Computer monitors Television Instrument panels Aircraft cockpit displays sign Video players Gaming devices Clocks Watches Calculators Telephones The Many Uses

3. The History of LCDs Liquid crystal discovered by the Austrian Fredreich Rheinizer in 1888. 1960: scientists found that liquid crystals could change their properties of light and produce many colours when electricity is passed through early prototypes (late 1960s) were too unstable for mass production British researcher proposed a stable, liquid crystal material: biphenyl

4. How it all Works LCDs are displays made from liquid crystals Liquid crystals are both solid and liquid, but mostly liquid They can keep their shape like solids, and move around like liquids Their form is changed with heat Liquid Crystals

5. How it all Works Nematic Phase Liquid crystals have phases; Nematic is one of them In this phase: Molecules are rod shaped They are naturally twisted Electricity (heat) causes them to untwist, and light passes through

6. How it all Works LCD Parts It has a mirror in back, which makes it reflective. a piece of glass with a polarizing film on the bottom side, and a common electrode plane made of indium-tin oxide on top. A common electrode plane covers the entire area of the LCD. Above that is the layer of liquid crystal substance Layer of Liquid Crystals an electrode in the shape of the rectangle on the bottom. another polarizing film at a right angle to the first one.

7. Typical Specs Color LCDs have at least 3subpixels, with red, green, and blue filters the intensity of each sub pixel can range over 256 shades. Combining the sub pixels produces a possible palette of 16.8 million colors

9. Resolution: number of pixels horizontally by number of pixels vertically1920 x 1080 is resolution for HD 1280 x 720 is also HD Old standard TVs used a resolution of up to 400p

10. Advantages of LCDs Over CRTs LCDs can be constructed much smaller and lighter Are more economical to run, they use less power Generate less heat Create higher quality images Causes less eye fatigue Emit less radiation

11. Bibliography http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/lcd.htm http://www.explainthatstuff.com/lcdtv.html http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/electronicsques_sbpq.htm