# Flex Tech Opportunities to use new flexible materials are generating big viral appeal. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Oct 9, 2008, updated Nov 19, 2009 | Category: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/modern-art-and-design-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/flexible-technology-revisted-material-advances-over-the-last-few-years-open ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.2/10 - Evidence articles: 12 ## What is the Flex Tech trend? **Flex Tech:** In our 2008 report we mentioned the emergence of flexible technologies such as ePaper, color OLED and paper-thin flexible batteries, but we also noted that many were not in use yet. As predicted, the first companies to incorporate flexible concepts benefited immensely from viral attention. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 12 featured examples - Articles from: Oct 1, 2007 to Oct 1, 2008 - Published: Oct 9, 2008 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Flex Tech trend ### Flexible Electronics The emergence of flexible technologies such as ePaper, color OLED and paper-thin flexible batteries has created a demand for flexible and bendable electronic devices. ### Smart Surfaces The ability to apply OLEDs to flat surfaces like walls, furniture, and floors has opened up a whole new world of design for creating interactive and smart environments. ### Eco-Friendly Design The use of environmentally friendly components and materials like non-toxic chromium and polyurethane promotes sustainable design and greener manufacturing processes. ## What the Flex Tech trend means for industry ### For Consumer Electronics Incorporating flexible and smart surfaces into electronic devices will create a whole new market for innovative and interactive devices. ### For Interior Design The use of smart surfaces and OLEDs for decorating walls, floors, and furniture creates a new industry around creating immersive and interactive environments. ### For Sustainable Manufacturing The use of environmentally friendly components and materials for manufacturing products promotes greener manufacturing processes and a more sustainable future for our planet. ## Trend signals for Flex Tech Trend score 3.2 out of 10, from popularity 37%, activity 51%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 37% - Activity: 51% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Flex Tech trend 12 featured examples from Oct 1, 2007 to Oct 1, 2008. - [Glowing Walls 2](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oled-wallpaper-general-electric): OLED Wallpaper from GE (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Interior design companies can leverage OLED wallpaper to create mesmerizing lighting effects and unique visual experiences for their clients' spaces. - [Flexible LCD Cutting Boards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-cutting-board): Digital Cutting Board is Eco-Friendly (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Develop cutting-edge consumer electronics incorporating flexible LCD displays for enhanced functionality and user experience. - [Touch Screen Phones Inpired by Ancient Scripts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-scroll): The Scroll (Category: Tech) Implication: Consumer electronics industry can capitalize on integrating advanced features in touch screen phones. - [Keyboard For The Kluts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keyboard-for-drinking-and-surfing-in-the-dark): Spill Proof, Glows, Flexible (Category: Tech) Implication: Electronics manufacturing industry can explore the production of flexible, glow-in-the-dark keyboards to cater to the demand for unique and convenient input devices. - [ePaper Magazine Covers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/epaper-in-mainstream-esquire-cover-for-75th-anniversary): Esquire 75th Anniversary Issue (Category: Marketing) Implication: The publishing industry can explore ePaper technology trend to create more interactive and engaging magazine covers that capture reader attention. - [Stretchy Electronics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bendable-stretchy-circuits): Bendable Circuits (Category: Unique) Implication: Stretchy electronics offer disruptive opportunities for the development of advanced brain implants and health monitoring devices. - [Bendy Wash Basins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-squidgy-sink-a-soft-flexible-washbowl): The Squidgy Sink (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Introducing soft, flexible products can be a potential innovation opportunity within traditional bathroom fixture manufacturing. - [Flexible Floor Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flexible-floor-lamps-fragile-by-ira-rozhavsky): Fragile by Ira Rozhavsky (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The demand for unique art pieces like the flexible floor lamp creates business opportunities within the art and decor industry to offer innovative and visually appealing products. - [Papyrus Ski Maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/papyrus-maps): The MYWAY Scroll (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Hotels and resorts can explore incorporating geek-friendly amenities like the papyrus ski maps to attract tech-savvy guests. - [OLEDs Printed Like Newspaper](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oleds-printed-like-newspaper): GE Roll-to-Roll OLED (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Interior design professionals can explore the use of printed OLEDs as a unique and versatile lighting solution for their projects. - [Ultra Thin Flexible Scale](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-scale): Paper Scale (Category: Unique) Implication: Flexible and portable scales with pressure sensing sheets and e-paper displays can be integrated in healthcare technology, providing real-time data to assist in diagnosis and trea… - [Sprout Inspired Lighting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sprout-inspired-lighting-bud-table-light): 'Bud Table Light' (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Disruption prospects in the home decor industry by offering unique and stylish lighting solutions. ## Recent trend clusters - [Oven Aesthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/decorative-casserole-dishes) (Art & Design) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Art & Design - [Park-Model Tiny Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/park-model-tiny-homes) - [Handmade Craft Tradeshow Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ny-now-handmade-division) - [Recycled Neon Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/encore-encore) - [Electrically Powered Airline Seats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-economy-seat) All articles: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign)