3M touts tech to improve TV colors

3M will be introducing technology that promises better color on TVs.

3M and California-based Nanosys will combine their knowledge of optical films to help TV manufacturers produce LCD displays that'll deliver much richer, truer-to-life color.

Nanosys will provide its quantum dot technology, which covers optical film with trillions of light-emitting dots. 3M will provide complementary optical film, as well as engineering and design help.

Erik Jostes, who's responsible for new technologies for 3M's optical systems business, says consumers will see a big difference.

"If you compare the displays side-by-side, it certainly makes the TV that you were happy with up to this point, look a little bit muddy in color," Jostes said. "We would think some consumers will think, 'Hey, I want my color back.' "

Jostes says the technology should add no more than 10 percent to the production cost of a TV. He expects TVs using the technology will show up late next year.