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Highly Reflective Multi-stable Electrofluidic Display Pixels

Yang, Shu
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1329510668

Abstract Details

2012, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Electrical Engineering.
Electronic papers (E-papers) refer to the displays that mimic the appearance of printed papers, but still owning the features of conventional electronic displays, such as the abilities of browsing websites and playing videos. The motivation of creating paper-like displays is inspired by the truths that reading on a paper caused least eye fatigue due to the paper’s reflective and light diffusive nature, and, unlike the existing commercial displays, there is no cost of any form of energy for sustaining the displayed image. To achieve the equivalent visual effect of a paper print, an ideal E-paper has to be a highly reflective with good contrast ratio and full-color capability. To sustain the image with zero power consumption, the display pixels need to be bistable, which means the “on” and “off” states are both lowest energy states. Pixel can change its state only when sufficient external energy is given. There are many emerging technologies competing to demonstrate the first ideal E-paper device. However, none is able to achieve satisfactory visual effect, bistability and video speed at the same time. Challenges come from either the inherent physical/chemical properties or the fabrication process. Electrofluidic display is one of the most promising E-paper technologies. It has successfully demonstrated high reflectivity, brilliant color and video speed operation by moving colored pigment dispersion between visible and invisible places with electrowetting force. However, the pixel design did not allow the image bistability. Presented in this dissertation are the multi-stable electrofluidic display pixels that are able to sustain grayscale levels without any power consumption, while keeping the favorable features of the previous generation electrofluidic display. The pixel design, fabrication method using multiple layer dry film photoresist lamination, and physical/optical characterizations are discussed in details. Based on the pixel structure, the preliminary results of a simplified design and fabrication method are demonstrated. As advanced research topics regarding the device optical performance, firstly an optical model for evaluating reflective displays’ light out-coupling efficiency is established to guide the pixel design; Furthermore, Aluminum surface diffusers are analytically modeled and then fabricated onto multi-stable electrofluidic display pixels to demonstrate truly “white” multi-stable electrofluidic display modules. The achieved results successfully promoted multi-stable electrofluidic display as excellent candidate for the ultimate E-paper device especially for larger scale signage applications.
Jason Heikenfeld, PhD (Committee Chair)
Stanislav Vilner, PhD (Committee Member)
Joseph Thomas Boyd, PhD (Committee Member)
Marc Cahay, PhD (Committee Member)
Andrew Steckl, PhD (Committee Member)
104 p.
Engineering
electrofluidic; display; multi-stable; highly reflective; electrowetting; ;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Yang, S. (2012). Highly Reflective Multi-stable Electrofluidic Display Pixels [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1329510668

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Yang, Shu. Highly Reflective Multi-stable Electrofluidic Display Pixels. 2012. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1329510668.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Yang, Shu. "Highly Reflective Multi-stable Electrofluidic Display Pixels." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1329510668

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1329510668
923
© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.