Fujitsu Components America, Inc. today released production samples of its next-generation, resistive touch panels using an organic conductive polymer material.

The new, custom touch panels offer five times the durability and comparable optical properties of conventional ITO (Indium Tin Oxide)-film panels at a small price premium, according to Fujitsu. Demonstrations of the new panels willbe held during the Society for Information Display exhibits held May 22-24 in Long Beach, California.

The Fujitsu panels use a flexible conductive polymer material instead of the hard, ceramic ITO conductive layer traditionally used in resistive touch panels. This provides a more durable touch surface and extends the touch panel?s operational life, especially in repeated-touch applications, such as cell phones, PDAs, tablet PCs, instrumentation and other pen-based devices.

The conductive polymer panels are also scratch-resistant, sealed, and able to withstand harsh chemical and input abuse.

Fujitsu is releasing two types of conductive polymer touch panels: a film-film-plastic type (FID-533 series) and a film-glass type (FID-554 series). Both types feature 3H surface hardness and demonstrate a minimum mechanical life of 5 million tapping operations and 500 thousand writing operations.

Initially, the panels will be available in selected sizes and then expanded to cover all standard product sizes. Volume production is expected to begin by Fall 2007.