The world is witnessing a revolution driven by virtual, augmented and extended reality (VR/AR/XR) technologies, with applications ranging from entertainment to sectors like education, healthcare, transportation, and space exploration. Head-mounted displays (HMDs) and head-up displays (HUDs) are at the forefront of this shift, offering immersive experiences that are transforming industries. As the demand for these technologies grows, the market is prepared for its growth. However, current display technologies face significant limitations, especially in terms of power consumption, resolution, and performance. This is where the MEGAMORPH project steps in, offering a solution that promises to overcome these challenges with cutting-edge display technology.
One of the main challenges for portable devices such as smartphones, laptops, and VR/AR/XR devices is their short battery life, caused by the high energy demands of traditional emissive displays that rely on generating light to produce images. While e-book readers offer a more energy-efficient alternative through reflective-type displays, they sacrifice colour richness and video-ready frame rates.
On the other hand, HMD and HUD applications require displays that can offer higher resolution, faster pixel switching, and low power consumption, all while delivering vivid colours and maintaining performance in challenging lighting conditions. Through the development of Graphene MODulator (GMOD®) technology, MEGAMORPH aims to address these needs and revolutionize the display landscape.
This project builds on the GIMOD project from ATTRACT phase 1, during which the team successfully developed ultra-high-resolution graphene-based microdisplay prototypes (up to 3630 PPI). However, two major challenges emerged: the high cost of graphene, which complicates commercialization, and the narrow focus on microdisplays, which restricts the potential of this technology. MEGAMORPH addresses these issues by introducing adaptable “metasurface films” compatible with various display technologies. These graphene-based films can change their shape and properties with voltage, offering flexibility and scalability. Moreover, the project focuses on bulk production to reduce graphene costs and unlock a wider range of applications.
“I designed MEGAMORPH to be a huge bet to bring a total revolution in the display sector, one that will set the market ablaze. Our GMOD® approach eclipses every existing solution with its unmatched resolution, energy efficiency, and adaptability. We will commercialize swiftly, forging bold partnerships and leaving no competitor standing in our way. By empowering industries from AR/VR/XR to mobile devices, we aim to reshape society’s digital experiences and drive sustainable innovation at scale. This is not about incremental innovation with small steps —MEGAMORPH is about breakthrough and igniting a new era that burns brighter than anything before it”,
explained Santiago Cartamil, Manager Director at SCALE Nanotech and coordinator of MEGAMORPH.
Progress and key milestones achieved
The research team has been actively showcasing some of the project’s latest advancements at different prestigious conferences. In May, they participated in SID Display Week in San Jose, California, where they presented their groundbreaking technology leveraging graphene’s unique properties to develop ultra-high-resolution displays for applications such as AR, VR and XR.
Furthermore, Cartamil and his team participated in the Tallinn Digital Summit in Estonia, an event that gathers leaders to tackle challenges and explore opportunities for building a connected digital future. At the summit, they showcased their Graphene MODuldator (GMOD®) technology, which captured the attention of investors and authorities. This represents an excellent opportunity to present the MEGAMORPH technology to a global audience of industry leaders and innovators.
MEGAMORPH main applications
The potential applications for this technology span a wide range of display sectors. The consortium envisions its use in VR and AR applications, as well as in head-up displays for cars and planes. Over time, it is expected to extend to smartwatches and smartphones, bringing unprecedented energy efficiency and enhanced visual performance to everyday wearable devices.
This technology could further pave the way for advanced telepresence systems, enabling lifelike holographic interactions across vast distances. It may even unlock breakthroughs in large-scale interactive displays, public signage, and immersive educational platforms. By pushing the boundaries of form factor, resolution, and power consumption, MEGAMORPH stands poised to redefine how we interact with digital environments for years to come.
MEGAMORPH is coordinated by the deep-tech startup SCALE Nanotech, in collaboration with CIN-ergy, known for its expertise in simulation and training markets, Graphenea Semiconductor, a leading producer of graphene, Morphotonics, a pioneer in nanoimprinting innovations, and VividQ, a key player driving the visual revolution in AR gaming.
Here you can watch a video of the MEGAMORPH project:
For additional information about the project, visit here.
The world is witnessing a revolution driven by virtual, augmented and extended reality (VR/AR/XR) technologies, with applications ranging from entertainment to sectors like education, healthcare, transportation, and space exploration. Head-mounted displays (HMDs) and head-up displays (HUDs) are at the forefront of this shift, offering immersive experiences that are transforming industries. As the demand for these […]
