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What Is E-Paper Display? How Does It Work? Contributed by Ynvisible
Electronic paper, or an e-paper display, has many benefits over traditional display technologies like LCD and LED. As a result, e-paper display technology is widely used across different sectors. But, what is e-paper display technology and how does it work? In this article, we will look at how electronic paper works and its advantages. What Is E-Paper?
E-paper displays can be made using different types of technology, such as electrophoresis, electrowetting, and electrochromism [1]. At Ynvisible, we use electrochromism, as it allows us to use highly scalable, flexible, and cost-effective screen-printing production processes, whereas some display companies, such as E Ink, use electrophoresis (see below). Electronic paper or e-paper is a display technology that mimics the appearance of ordinary ink on paper to produce a low-power, paper-like display. E-paper displays typically have a so-called image memory, which means they do not need much power to maintain the display; they mostly need power when there is a change in the display. Therefore, e-paper displays are best for low-frequency switching displays, such as signage and labels.
Figure 1: Ynvisible’s displays are produced using processes that are highly scalable and cost-effective.
E-paper displays reflect light rather than emit light, making them very comfortable to read even under direct sunlight. They are extremely popular because of their low power consumption, high reflectivity, high contrast, readability, thickness, and wider viewing angle. E-paper displays are widely used in e-readers, real-time bus arrival information, electronic shelf label (ESL) segments, digital menu boards, traffic signs and logistics monitoring devices.
How Does E-Paper Work?
Several e-paper technologies create e-paper displays, and each works differently. Electrophoretic Displays (e.g., E Ink) Electrophoretic displays from, for instance, E Ink, contain millions of tiny microcapsules. These microcapsules are filled with a clear fluid having small particles of different
Figure 2: Ynvisible’s displays are flexible and lightweight.
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colors and electric charges. On applying a positive charge, negatively charged particles move to the top, and positively charged particles move to the bottom of the microcapsule and vice versa. This movement of the particles to the top and bottom makes the surface display a specific color. Electrowetting Displays (e.g., Etulipa) Etulipa is one of the companies employing electrowetting display technology, which uses the liquid’s surface tension to create electrowetting displays. An electrowetting display contains several tiny cells of transparent polar liquid and a colored oil covering a hydrophobic surface. The oil contracts into a small droplet by applying a low voltage to the cells. It then creates an open or closed optical switch capable of displaying text, art, photos, or even video.
Figure 3: The most popular application of e-paper is e-readers.
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