Applications of an electrokinetic device for an imaging system

A device, comprising:

• a first electrokinetic (EK) device including:
• a first electrode;
• a second electrode;
• a dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the second electrode;
• a carrier fluid disposed at least between the first electrode and the dielectric layer;
• and
• a compaction trench configured to contain pigments while the first EK device is operating in a first operating state, and
• an imaging assembly disposed adjacent to the first EK device, the imaging assembly including:
• a lens;
• and
• an image sensor;
• and
• wherein, in the first operating state, a first optical path allows electromagnetic radiation to pass through at least a portion of the first electrode, at least a portion of the carrier fluid, at least a portion of the dielectric layer, and at least a portion of the second electrode, before reaching the lens of the imaging assembly, and
• wherein the compaction trench surrounds the first optical path, such that in the first operating state, the pigments are substantially located in the compaction trench instead of in the first optical path.