European Companies Announce Development of 'Unbreakable' LCD

German chemical giant Merck and British electronics company FlexEnable have announced new technology they say will enable the development of "unbreakable" LCD screens.

A joint project between the two companies has produced a liquid crystal display that links plastic using organic transistors — and without glass entirely. The display is reportedly cheaper, 10 times thinner and more than 10 times lighter than conventional displays, as well as shatterproof and able to maintain on-screen angles.

Merck officials said the technology shows that "plastic-based bendable or even flexible displays are not a dream, but a true possibility," while FlexEnable said the announcement stands to particularly benefit the volume consumer and industrial markets.

The companies also said the LCD development could also have dramatic impacts on e-readers, public signage and advertising.