ELECTROWETTING DISPLAYS

DESCRIPTION The display uses small electric currents to

manipulate drops of colored oil which make up the picture

Durable Flexible Low Power Consumption Little to no glare depending on the surface

used Fast enough for color video (between 3 and

8 millisecond response time)

HOW IT WORKSo Colored oil is used to color the red, green, and blue sub-

pixels that make up every pixel.o All of the cavities that contain the oil are connected to a

display chip that manipulates the voltage going to each one.

o The change in voltage manipulates the wettability of each cavity causing the oil to either lay flat or bead up.

o This influences how colored each sub-pixel appears.

POTENTIAL USES One time use media delivery Use on transparent surfaces such as

windows, windshields, and goggles for dimming or augmented reality

Adaptive camouflage Dynamic street signs Screens on outdoor equipment

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Energy efficient. (equivalent to an e-ink display) Biodegradable Could be implemented to create more efficient

solar panels. Potential to create more e-waste

SOCIAL IMPACTCould help bridge the digital

divide in third world countries.Expands advertising and labeling

opportunitiesMay cause people to view

technology as more disposable.

CURRENT IMPLEMENTATION

Developed by a company called LiquidVista that is currently owned by Amazon.

Devices with the technology are set to release within a year.

Development of other base material such as paper

SOURCES

http://www.geek.com/news/disposable-paper-based-e-readers-on-the-horizon-1356633/

http://www.teleread.com/chris-meadows/new-electrowetting-advances-could-lead-to-real-paper-screens-and-disposable-readers/

http://www.mobilemag.com/2010/11/25/disposable-electronic-displays-made-possible-with-paper/

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/145253-electrowetting-displays-brighter-than-lcd-lower-power-and-daylight-readable

http://physicaplus.org.il/zope/home/1185176174/water_elect_en/?skin=print