Impact
NSF-funded graduate researcher developed multi-finger touch function now used in smartphones
Through NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program, graduate researchers make discoveries and create technologies with commercial applications
The touch screen technology allows use of multiple fingers on mobile devices.
Credit and Larger Version
October 17, 2017
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Through its Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), NSF has funded thousands of graduate researchers, many of whom have made important discoveries while still in graduate school.
For example, an NSF Graduate Research Fellow developed a touch screen to recognize multi-finger gestures for computer input--using two fingers on a screen to zoom in and out--a breakthrough technology that is now ubiquitous in smartphones and other mobile devices.
Since 1952, this program has supported 42 students who went onto win Nobel Prizes.
NSF Directorate(s):
Directorate for STEM Education
Locations
Delaware
Related Awards
#0308146 Multi-Touch 2-D Tactile Human Computer Interface Design and Optimization for Individuals with Physical Disabilities
Related Websites
Multitouch Blossoms at UD: https://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/good-bye?https://www.eecis.udel.edu/~westerma/About_Wayne.html
This NSF Impact is one of thousands of research outcomes made possible by NSF that help fuel the U.S. economy, enhance national security and sustain U.S. global leadership by advancing knowledge. You can search for more NSF Impacts at https://www.nsf.gov/impacts.
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