3M invests in innovative LCD maker Pixel Qi

3M and Pixel Qi Corp have announced that 3M is investing money into Pixel Qi. Exactly how large of an investment 3M made is not known at this time. The hope is that with 3M's display prowess and name the investment will accelerate the growth and development of the cool Pixel Qi screens that are very easy to read in direct sunlight and indoors.

Pixel Qi screens are also already in use around the world in products like the OLPC notebook and more. The funding was led by 3M New Ventures and will help Pixel Qi to develop product offerings into volume consumer markets. Those markets will include digital signage and touch applications. Pixel Qi also notes that the 3M investment wraps up its second investment round.

The money raised will be used for multiple things including strengthening the sales and engineering capability at Pixel Qi. The company was showing off a new 10.1-inch sunlight readable screen back in May that looked very promising.

"Pixel Qi's full-function color screen technology, for the first time, gives consumers an outdoor-readable video display with exceptional battery life, usable anywhere, anytime. It's a first in the industry. In our collaboration with 3M, we have the ability to accelerate this into mass adoption," said Mary Lou Jepsen, co-founder and CEO of Pixel Qi.

[via ARMdevices]