Transparent and photoluminescent nanocellulose paper developed by researchers in China. Photo by the American Chemical Society

CHENGDU, China, May 20 (UPI) -- Researchers in China have developed light-emitting, transparent and flexible paper -- technology that may soon enable bendable electronics.

The glowing paper is produced using an eco-friendly technique called suction-filtration. The thin, clear paper is made by mixing wood flour biocompatible quantum dots -- nanoscale, semiconducting crystals formed from zinc and selenium.


The team of researchers were led by Yu-Zhong Wang and Fei Song, material scientists at Sichuan University. Their study was published this week in the American Chemical Society's journal Applied Materials and Interfaces.

"This material can bring a new thinking on future electronic displays and 3D printing papers," the scientists wrote in their new paper.

They hope that their work opens the door to greener electronics, and enables tech innovators to abandon the rigidity and toxicity of petroleum-based plastics and other problematic materials used to make today's smartphones and tablets.

The paper, which glows at room temperature and can roll and unroll without creasing or cracking, is pretty cool. But it's not yet available with a side of fried chicken. The same can't be said of the new KFC Tray Typer, a paper-thin wireless Bluetooth keyboard that now arrives alongside combo meals as the fast food chain's outposts in Germany as part of a recent PR campaign.

The device allows eaters to type and text on their phone without touching the actual screen with their greasy fingers. According to the organizers of the campaign, all of the Tray Typers delivered in the first week of the promotion were taken home by the users.