Energy efficiency trends

Mobile devices that run 12 hours between charges. Displays that are far bigger than CRTs, yet use less power. 3M innovations open the door to energy efficiencies that were once considered impossible – until now. Our breakthrough display films optimize light for brighter, lighter, thinner, and more energy-efficient displays.

  • An image of a happy family in their living room looking at their flat screen television.
    The efficiency of light

    Our paper-thin display films enhance and reflect light better than any other substances on earth. This technology allows display manufacturers to use fewer LEDs to get the same stunning visual performance on the screen. Fewer LEDs mean that less power is needed to run your device.

  •  An image of a smiling woman outside holding an electronic tablet.
    Saving energy today and tomorrow

    Innovations from 3M Display Solutions help make your everyday devices ultra-efficient. Here's a sneak peek at what's happening with some of your favorite products today, and some of the exciting innovations we're planning for tomorrow:

Energy Efficiency by Device Type

  • Small happy children dancing in front of a large flat screen television with a bright and colorful display screen.

    TVs: Brilliant efficiency

    3M has rewritten the rules of traditional TV design. Our technology uses light more efficiently, requiring less power while giving you superior performance.

    Today, our technology:
     

    • Can help reduce power consumption as much as 37% in medium to large TVs
    • Increases brightness by 30% or more
  • A smiling man in front of a large desktop monitor with a bright and colorful display screen.

    Desktop Displays: See the light

    Our brilliant display films optimize light, allowing manufacturers to design desktop displays with brighter, more colorful displays – and a striking degree of energy efficiency.

    Today, our technology:
     

    • Increases brightness by 30% or more
    • Reduces power consumption by as much as 30%
    • Enables displays to receive Power over Ethernet (PoE)

    Tomorrow, we’ll give you:
     

    • USB-powered displays
    • One-cord connectivity and thinner design
    • Power savings of more than 43%, with the same (or better) visual performance
  • Two smiling people standing outside in front of a notebook computer that has a bright and colorful display screen.

    Notebooks: Brighter ideas

    Our striking display films help make notebook computer displays brighter and more efficient, helping enable notebooks to operate longer on battery power.
    [graphic] 8 or more hours of battery use time.

    Today, our technology:
     

    • Extends battery life to 8 hours or more
    • Increases brightness by up to 50%

    Tomorrow, we’ll give you:
     

    • Further optimized light use
    • Even longer battery life
    • Thinner, more efficient designs, with the same (or better) visual performance
  • A man outside looking at his electronic tablet that has a bright and colorful display screen.

    Tablets: Thin is in

    3M display films optimize light to increase tablet efficiency and give you a longer battery life. They can also reduce device thickness and weight, allowing for clear, brilliant displays from ever-sleeker devices.

    Today, our technology:
     

    • Can help your battery run up to 12 house of use time
    • Increases brightness by nearly 30%

    Tomorrow, we’ll give you:
     

    • Extended battery life of up to 12 hours
    • Even longer battery life
    • Thinner, more efficient designs, with the same (or better) visual performance
  •  A smiling woman laying on grass looking at her mobile phone.

    Smart Phones: Be brighter longer

    Our display films help reduce power needs in smart phones and other mobile electronics, enabling them to operate longer on battery power, while increasing brightness and allowing you to use your device in virtually any light.

    Today, our technology:
     

    • Enables your mobile devices to run 8–10 hours or longer
    • Increases brightness by nearly 30%

    Tomorrow, we’ll give you:
     

    • Increasingly brighter displays for handheld devices
    • Smaller, lighter, and thinner devices with extended battery life

Energy Efficiency Resources

Our cutting-edge display films help manufacturers build better, more energy-efficient consumer electronics. When looking for your next product, take advantage of some resources that can help you find energy-saving electronics.

  • ENERGY STAR program

    Established in 1992, ENERGY STAR is a voluntary US government program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR products are independently certified to save energy without sacrificing features or functionality. Note that ENERGY STAR does not cover mobile phones.

    For complete information, visit the ENERGY STAR homepage.

    If you’re a consumer electronics manufacturer, visit the Join ENERGY STAR page.

  • ENERGY STAR certified products

    Information for consumers and partners.

    Televisions

    Computers

    Desktop Displays

    Home Energy Yardstick is an online tool that provides a simple assessment of your home’s annual energy use compared to similar homes.

    Find product rebates and special offers from local utility companies that can help you get cash back for using energy-efficient products. Search by entering your zip code.

  • DOE Energy Use Calculator

    The US Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Saver page has great information and insights about how you can save energy, and money. Be sure to check out the Appliance and Electronic Energy Use Calculator.

  • American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)

    See how much energy is consumed by your home electronics.

Free app: Configure your ideal film stack

  •  An image of a tablet with colorful circles on the display screen.

    How bright and thin can you make a smartphone display? Now you can find out! Download the free 3M Display Solutions Max Design app and start exploring what you can achieve by configuring different film stacks. App runs on Apple iOS (iPad and iPhone) only.


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