Nano-particle based variable transmission devices
AssigneeE Ink Corporation
InventorsStephen J. Telfer, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Stephen Bull, Joshua A. Ritchey, Kosta Ladavac, Lee Yezek, Craig A. Herb, Peter Carsten Bailey Widger
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Abstract
A variable transmission medium comprises a fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in the fluid, wherein addition of acid to the fluid causes the nanoparticles to flocculate and form aggregates of particles that scatter light. The nanoparticles may comprise at least one metal oxide, such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or zirconium dioxide. The fluid may have a dielectric constant less than about 10.
Claims6
A variable transmission medium comprising limonene and a plurality of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles dispersed in the limonene, wherein the zirconium dioxide nanoparticles and the limonene are confined within a plurality of capsules or microcells, or are present as a plurality of discrete droplets surrounded by a continuous phase comprising a polymeric material, and wherein addition of acid to the medium causes the zirconium dioxide nanoparticles to flocculate and form aggregates of particles that scatter light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.