The invention of touch screens was a revolutionary moment for technology. It drastically altered how humans interact with tech. Not only did they make it extremely easy to interface with our devices, but being able to get rid of buttons meant that the screens could take up space that the buttons previously held. Larger displays make using any device significantly more convenient. It’s easy to see why LCD touch screens are so prevalent these days, and why they’ve stood the test of time. With the advent of COVID, however, things have changed quite significantly. We have all become more conscious of the things that we touch, especially in public. This, of course, includes touch screens. This is a major concern for everyone, particularly with how common LCD touch displays are in everyday life. Trying to get something to eat at a fast-food restaurant can sometimes mean touching a display. With how universal LCD touch screens are, and with how we are now very wary of the things we touch, it is easy to see that touch screens are under the spotlight. Even after this coronavirus pandemic has settled to manageable levels, the precautions we take now will eventually become second nature. People will be wary to touch things in public places. The question we want to ask is, will touchscreens be able to outlive COVID? The answer is yes. The absolute convenience of touch screens cannot be denied. But instead of putting precautions into the hands of users, businesses and manufacturers can put some factors in place to make using touch screens feel as safe as it has ever been.
No matter what the eventual fate of the touchscreen is, it’s a fact that it is too ubiquitous to be going anywhere anytime soon. This is why innovations have been put in place that will make using LCD touch displays safer, yet still entirely possible to use. This includes the use of antimicrobial films laminated on the LCD. Antimicrobial films use silver nanoparticles to attain their characteristic effect. Silver causes a series of changes when introduced into a microbial cell, eventually killing the cell. As a result, surfaces covered with silver nanoparticles are able to inhibit the growth of microbes. This has been scientifically proven via research after a study showed a 99% reduction in microbes on a surface treated with silver nanoparticles after a full day. By applying these same silver nanoparticles to a film, it can easily be applied to an LCD, and there is instant antimicrobial action. Once an antimicrobial film is in place, it can give business owners, manufacturers, and users, peace of mind in knowing that the display is clean and will keep their users and customers safe. With film lamination, these antimicrobial films can be applied directly to the surface of the display, and you won’t be able to tell the difference. If they get really worn out or scratched, these films can be peeled away with the application of heat, and a new film can be reapplied. Film lamination gives you the opportunity to keep your device looking good as new without breaking the bank.
Touch screens have been so prevalent since their advent because of how many advantages they bring to the table. It’s hard to imagine using any form of interaction that is not a touch display. That’s just a testament to how great they are. These are only some of the advantages you get from using a touch screen:
Even without a pandemic making using touch screens a cautious decision, alternatives were being developed to make interacting with devices less physical. Though these solutions are intuitive, they are yet to reach the level of development where they are as reliable to use as touch displays. LCD touch screens still remain the most practical solution in these times, even following COVID. These alternatives include:
Ultimately, it is not practical to think that any input method will be succeeding touch displays any time soon. As a result, it is important to figure out ways to maintain the functionality and benefits of LCD touch screens and keep them safe for use by users. By cleaning touch screens frequently each day, you can keep them hygienic and allay any fears regarding coronavirus. The good thing is that our touchscreens can resist the direct application of harsh chemicals, which includes all forms of cleaning solution. Harsh chemicals can alter the chemical structure of the typical polymers used for display films, so we use a specially designed polymer with chemical resistance for our films. Asides from this, a glass-film-glass layering can be used. Glass is naturally resistant to these cleaning chemicals. Along with an IP65 ingress protection rating, you can be sure that the outside, and inside, of your display will be safe.
As a manufacturer or a business owner, you may worry that customers will have concerns regarding the safety of touch screens, but with the proper precautions and knowledge in place, they can use your touch displays with as little fear as they had before the coronavirus pandemic, while staying safer. Combining antimicrobial films, film lamination, and frequent cleaning of LCDs, will keep your displays as microbe-free as they could ever be, and you can have peace of mind. Make the right choice; for your customers, and for your business.
We’re a global design and manufacturing company that helps the world’s most innovative companies define the future of their business display needs. With over 20 years of combined experience in display technology, E3 Displays has everything you need to develop and manufacture your custom touch display all in one place. With customer-centric solutions featuring strategic planning, competitive pricing, longevity, and support, we ensure the best products on the market to help you scale. In the end, displays are a centerpiece in any hardware that provides a very important visual message in your product. We want to ensure that the visual entity exceeds your optical and performance requirements.