Microencapsulated electrophoretic display
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsJoseph Jacobson, Barrett Comiskey, Jonathan Albert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An application-ready electrophoresis material includes a carrier and a dispersion of microcapsules therein, the microcapsules each containing a plurality of phases therein. At least some of the phases contrast visually and and exhibit differential responsiveness to an electric field, such that application of the field determines the visual appearance of the microcapsules. The material exhibits stability such the visual appearance persists despite removal of the field. In one aspect, the invention provides for enhanced stability of the visual appearance. In another aspect, the reflectivity of at least one of the phases is enhanced. In another aspect, one of the phases is particulate in nature and emits visible radiation.
Claims45
An electrophoretic or dielectrophoretic material comprising a carrier and a dispersion of microcapsules therein, the microcapsules each comprising:
- a. a plurality of particles at least some of the particles having an electrophoretic mobility;
- b. means for enhancing the reflectivity of at least some of the particles;
- and
- c. a dyed fluid.
An electrophoretic or dielectrophoretic material comprising a carrier and a dispersion of microcapsules therein, the microcapsules each comprising:
- a. a plurality of particles, at least some of the particles contrasting visually and being differentially responsive to an electric field such that, depending on the direction of the field, the at least some of the particles assume a first or a second visually differentiable appearance in accordance with a bistability characteristic and a threshold characteristic;
- and
- b. means for enhancing at least one of the characteristics.
An electrophoretic or dielectrophoretic material comprising a carrier and a dispersion of microcapsules therein, the microcapsules each comprising:
- a. a dyed fluid;
- b. a plurality of particles, at least some of the particles contrasting visually and being differentially responsive to an electric field such that, depending on the direction of the field, at least some of the particles assume a first or a second visually differentiable appearance in accordance with a bistability characteristic and a threshold characteristic;
- and
- c. means for enhancing at least one of the characteristics.
An electrophoretic or dielectrophoretic material comprising a carrier and a dispersion of microcapsules therein, the microcapsules each comprising:
- a. a plurality of particles, at least some of the particles having a first electrophoretic mobility and at least some of the particles having a second electrophoretic mobility;
- and
- b. means for enhancing the reflectivity of at least some of the particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.