Electro-optical full color display based on nano-particle dispersions

Electrokinetic displays have become one of the most important display technologies because of their low power consumption, wide viewing angle, and outdoor readability. They are regarded as excellent candidates for electronic paper. This type of display is based on the controlled movement of charged pigment particles in a non-polar liquid under the influence of an electric field. Free charges practically do not exist In nonpolar colloids, due to their low dielectric constant. However, the addition of a surfactant to non-polar colloids often leads to considerable charge induced effects such as increased electrical conductivity and particle stabilization. In this project, we aim to develop a novel electrokinetically driven display. An unprecedented display device is proposed, based on the concerted action of electro-osmosis and electrophoresis in a non-polar fluid. This method could reduce the switching time for displaying information, and extend the applications of electrokinetic displays with video-speed and full color in the future.