Capacitive touch screens rely on electrical charges to operate. When a finger or specialized input device, composed of atoms with positive and negative charges, comes in contact with the display, it detects electrical field disruption and executes the command. Capacitive touch screens are pretty sensitive and are preferred to increase screen contrast and clarity.
Capacitive touchscreens are coated with copper or indium tin oxide, storing electrical charges in an electrostatic grid of wires — thinner than a human hair. Capacitive control displays operate through the changing electric fields and the effect it prostrates on the capacitance.
Based on that, one can logically assume that there is more to know about capacitive touch panels.
Here, we are deducing prominent features of the capacitive touch panel that make them famous.
• Anti-Glare (AG) – Anti-glare touchscreens form micro surface asperities that enhance the screen visibility under bright light settings or outdoors. It is manufactured with two methods — chemical-based surface treatment and controlled acid etching process.
Anti-Reflective (AR) – Anti-reflective screen minimizes the reflections by using the optical coating to the surface. Through the vacuum evaporation process, it reduces reflection. This method can also improve efficiency in typical imaging systems as less light is lost due to low reflection.
• Anti-Fingerprint (AF) – An anti-fingerprint coating limits scratches to a screen and prevents smudging and fingerprints from being imprinted on the surface. The AF surface makes it possible to quickly wipe up smudge on the touch panel, making it easier to clean and aesthetically pleasing. The AFP coating has a hydrophobic effect, and it reduces friction that improves scratch resistance.
• Wet Functional – Wet functional means that the capacitive touch panel responds to a finger touch even when the screen is wet. Touchscreen working due to the distortion of the electrostatic field may fail to react to wet hands. However, the capacitive touch panel is equipped with a sensor, and it enlightens whether the screen is wet or dry. It simultaneously switches from single finger touch to multi-finger touches according to the damp and dry touch and minimizes false signals.
• Gloved Use – Although capacitive touch panels do not work with the gloves, some are compatible to work with coated gloves. The conductivity in gloves’ coating may affect the electric field on the screen’s surface. Depending upon the fingertip pressure or time, coated gloves can affect screen functionality and responsiveness.
Conclusion
Following this, one can get an idea that capacitive touch panel technology is not as simple as it appears. The effectiveness of capacitive touchscreens varies based on various degrees, such as the thickness of the coating, finger pressure, etc. Thus, one can only determine it after testing.
Microtips Technology, a US-based LCD and touch panel manufacturer, is pioneering the development of capacitive touch panels featured with specialized coatings. They are manufacturing PCAPs for extensive use cases in different industry domains such as healthcare, education, corporates, banking, and research.